A. Purpose: The purpose of this section is to establish administrative responsibilities and to describe which review body (e.g., planning director, planning commission, or city council) makes recommendations or final decisions on various types of land use permit applications.
B. Planning Agency: California Government Code section 65100 requires each jurisdiction to establish a planning agency to carry out the land use and planning functions of the jurisdiction. The functions of the planning agency, as designated by this title, may be carried out by the following bodies. In the absence of an assignment, the city council shall retain responsibility and authority as the legislative body of the city.
1. Planning Director: The planning director, or designee, shall have the responsibility and authority to administer and enforce this title as follows:
a. Maintain this title, the zoning map, and all record of zoning actions and interpretations;
b. Advise the city council, city manager, and planning commission on planning matters;
c. Pursuant to section 65900 of the Government Code, serve as the administrative zoning body and decide land use entitlements as provided in chapter 2, "Procedures And Entitlements", of this title;
d. Provide staff at meetings and provide administrative services for the planning commission;
e. Direct or prepare planning related policy amendments and special studies as necessary;
f. Conduct administrative functions authorized by this title, including, but not limited to, distribution and receipt of entitlement applications and corresponding fees, application review and public noticing, determination and issuance of administrative entitlements and approvals;
g. Prepare staff reports with recommendations, proposed findings, and proposed conditions for actions for the planning commission, city council, and other designated review bodies;
h. Provide information to the public and facilitate public participation on planning matters;
i. Exercise such other powers and duties as are prescribed by state law, local ordinance, or as directed by the city manager.
2. City Manager: The city manager shall oversee the work of the planning director and shall exercise such other powers and duties as are prescribed by state law or local ordinance, or as directed by the city council.
3. Planning Commission: Pursuant to section 65101 of the Government Code, and as provided in title 2, chapter 1, "Planning Commission", of the municipal code, there is established a planning commission for the city. The planning commission shall have the following land use responsibilities:
a. Hear and decide applications for entitlements as provided in chapter 2, "Procedures And Entitlements", of this title, including, but not limited to, conditional use permit, major site plan and architectural review, variance, and highway oriented sign permit;
b. Initiate studies of amendments to this title and make recommendations to the city council for amendments as provided in chapter 2, "Procedures And Entitlements", of this title and in section 65853 of the Government Code;
c. Hear and make recommendations to the city council on applications for zoning amendments, the general plan and amendments thereto, specific plans, prezoning, and other related planning studies;
d. Exercise such other powers and duties as are prescribed by state law, local ordinance, or as directed by the city council.
4. City Council: The city council is the legislative body of the city and shall have the following land use responsibilities:
a. Hear and decide appeals of the decisions of the planning director and the planning commission;
b. Hear and decide applications for entitlements as listed in chapter 2, "Procedures And Entitlements", of this title, including, but not limited to, planned unit development, specific plan, development agreement, zoning amendment (including rezoning), prezoning, and general plan amendment. In the event that applications for other land use permits are requested in conjunction with these entitlements, the city council shall also be the final decision making body for all related land use entitlements;
c. Direct planning related policy amendments and special studies as necessary or desired; and
d. Exercise such other powers and duties as are prescribed by state law or local ordinance. (Ord. 2013-05, 2-6-2014)