A. Upon application for a commercial development, residential subdivision or building permit (if no subdivision application is required), the building official shall identify potential sensitive land areas to the city engineer. The city engineer shall then make a preliminary determination by reference to the sensitive land area map and other materials maintained in the city engineer's office of any geologic hazards that appear to exist on the real property which is the subject of the application.
B. If the city engineer determines that no "geologic hazard" as defined in section 17.70.030 of this chapter appears to exist in relation to the subject property, then the application may proceed, as proposed, subject to the other requirements of this code.
C. If the city engineer determines in accordance with this section that a geologic hazard appears to exist in relation to the subject property, the developer shall submit a geologic report prepared by a qualified engineering geologist and/or a soils report prepared by a qualified geotechnical engineer and comply with the remaining provisions of this chapter.
D. With respect to any proposal not requiring a geologic report, the city engineer may require the developer to submit a letter report to resolve issues with respect to the geologic condition of the subject property. A letter report may be required even if the maps and materials maintained in the office of the city engineer do not show any of the unsafe conditions described in section 17.70.040 of this chapter. The city engineer may withhold the determination described in this section until the letter report has been received and based on information on the letter report the city engineer may, for good cause, require the submission of a geologic report. (Ord. 12-07)