Dependent on the type of activity, improvement or development proposed, different levels of review are necessary. There are five primary bodies of review:
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Planning Department Staff
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Development Services Committee
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Architectural Review Subcommittee
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Planning Commission
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City Council
Planning Department Staff – The Planning Department is headed by the Development Services Manager and is supported by an Associate Planner and Assistant Planner. The Planning staff has the authority to grant minor development approvals; such applications include signs, home occupation permits, and minor site/façade improvements. In all other cases, the Planning staff is responsible for guiding development activities through the City’s review and approval process.
Development Services Committee – The Development Services Committee consists of a staff representative from Planning, Engineering, Redevelopment, Building, Police, Fire, Code Enforcement and Building. This committee will review proposals for compliance with all City codes and regulations. In most cases this is an advisory body. However, the Committee does grant approvals for Special Use Permits (special or temporary events).
Architectural Review Subcommittee – The Architectural Review Subcommittee consists of three members including a licensed architect and landscape architect. The Subcommittee is appointed by the Planning Commission. The Subcommittee will review proposals; along with the recommendations of the Planning Department Staff and the Development Services Committee to evaluate site, building and landscape design. In most cases, this body is advisory to the Planning Commission, however, the Subcommittee does grant approvals for minor commercial/industrial additions and alternations.
Planning Commission – The Planning Commission consists of seven members, five which are residents, interested in the community. The Commission members are appointed by the City Council. The Planning Commission provides the majority of the final decisions on development requests. The Planning Commission serves as an advisory body to the City Council for matters involving Zoning, General Plan and Specific Plan requests.
City Council – The City Council consists of five residents elected at-large by the City residents. The City Council delegates the review of many applications to the aforementioned bodies. However, the City Council takes final actions on zoning, general plan, specific plan and development agreement requests.