An application pursuant to this Chapter shall be processed concurrently with any other application(s) required for the Housing Development. Final approval or disapproval of an application (with right of appeal to the City Council) shall be made by the Planning Commission unless direct financial assistance is requested. If direct financial assistance is requested, the Planning Commission shall make a recommendation to the City Council who will have the authority to make the final decision on the application.
An applicant/developer proposing a Housing Development pursuant to this Chapter, may submit a preliminary application prior to the submittal of any formal request for approval of a Housing Development. Applicants are encouraged to schedule a pre-application conference with the Community Development Director or designated staff to discuss and identify potential application issues, including prospective Additional Incentives pursuant to Section 17.21.050 of this Chapter. No charge will be required for the pre-application conference. A preliminary application shall include the following information:
(1) A brief description of the proposed Housing Development, including the total number of units,Target Units, and Density Bonus Units proposed.
(2) The zoning and general plan designations and assessors parcel number(s) of the project site.
(3) A vicinity map and preliminary site plan, drawn to scale, including building footprints, driveway and parking layout.
(4) If an Additional Incentive(s) is requested, the application should describe why the Additional Incentive(s) is necessary to provide the Target Units, in accordance with Section 17.21.050 of this Chapter.
Within 90 days of receipt of the preliminary application the City shall provide to an applicant/developer, a letter which identifies project issues of concern, (the maximum financial assistance that the Community Development Director can support when making a recommendation to the City Council, and the procedures for compliance with this Chapter.
The Community Development Director shall inform the applicant/developer that the requested Additional Incentives shall be recommended for consideration with the proposed Housing Development, or that alternative or modified Additional Incentives pursuant to Section 17.21.050 shall be recommended for consideration in lieu of the requested Incentives. If alternative or modified Incentives are recommended by the Community Development Director, the recommendation shall establish how the alternative or modified Incentives can be expected to have an equivalent affordability effect as the requested Incentives.