Notwithstanding other provisions of this code, the Committee is hereby granted power to receive, hear and determine applications on the following matters only:
(A) Minor conditional use permits. The Committee shall have the power to hear and approve, conditionally approve or deny minor conditional use permits in limited situations as enumerated in §§ 17.08.010 et seq. of this code.
(B) Minor Exceptions. The Committee shall have the power to hear and approve, conditionally approve or deny exceptions from the provisions of the zoning regulations in Title 17 in the limited situations enumerated in § 17.52.110 of this code.
(C) Minor lot splits. Where basic criteria for a lot split are met as prescribed by the Subdivision Map Act and the provisions of this code the Committee shall have the power to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove any proposed lot split in the following limited situations and provided no exceptions or variances are required:
(1) Realignment of lot lines. Where the lot split application consists of the realignment of existing lot lines within the scope of Chapter 16.24 of this code;
(2) Where the application for the lot split consists of an application to sell off a portion of the lot (or to acquire a portion of another lot) not to exceed 25% of the lot of the applicant involved;
(3) Where the application for the lot split consists of divisions into not more than two parcels;
(D) Neighborhood compatibility design review.
(1) The Committee shall review site plans and elevations and approve, approve with conditions or deny applications or make recommendations on applications that will be forwarded to the Planning Commission with respect to the design review criteria contained below.
(a) Single-family residential. Neighborhood compatibility design review shall be conducted pursuant to § 17.12.005 of this code.
(b) Office, commercial and industrial.
1. Building design.
a. All exterior facade and architectural features including window types, entrance areas, porches, chimneys, and the use of building modulation;
b. The height and building profile of the structures;
c. Building materials, finishes, and colors on exterior surfaces;
d. Roof designs and materials;
e. Relationship of development to the surrounding neighborhood such as appropriate architectural style, scale, and building materials and colors;
f. Screening of electric and gas meters, mechanical equipment, trash, and outside storage areas.
2. Site design.
a. Orientation of the building(s) on the site and in relation to surrounding property improvements, including entrances, parking areas, driveways, landscape areas, setbacks, trash enclosures, and common and private recreation areas (multiple-family development);
b. The scale and bulk of the building(s) in relationship to the neighboring properties;
c. Walls and fences;
d. Pedestrian walkways, including circulation design and paving materials;
e. Loading and unloading areas for adequate ingress and egress and visibility from the street;
f. Lighting for safety of pedestrians and vehicles while integrating design elements of the building and landscaping;
g. Landscape and hardscape review;
h. Design of mailboxes;
i. Art works, including sculpture, murals, fountains, and other ornamental or decorative features for scale, design, and compatibility with the project and surrounding properties.
(2) Where the code requires the submission of a development application to the Commission for review and approval of the building design and the location of buildings and structures upon the property, the Committee's role shall be to advise the Commission concerning said plans. The Committee shall recommend approval with or without conditions; or recommend denial.
(3) Where a proposed development is not subject to Commission review, the Committee shall be responsible for reviewing the application pursuant to § 17.12.005 of this code. The Committee shall approve with or without conditions; or deny the proposed development.
(E) Signs. The Committee shall review applications for all signs within the city recognizing that the height, size, shape, number, color, lighting and movement of any sign may be proportional to the size and/or intensification of use of any given development. Window and door signs, valance signs and banners shall be excluded from review by Development Review Committee.
(F) CEQA. Where a project is subject to review only by the Committee, the Committee shall have the power to review and approve exemptions and negative declarations pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and CEQA guidelines.
(G) Informal preapplication reviews of proposed developments. When requested by an applicant, the Committee may review, on an informal basis, conceptual plans for a proposed development prior to submittal of a formal application. This review shall be in the nature of a discussion between the Committee and the applicant concerning the merits of a proposed development, and shall not constitute a final decision by the Committee concerning the proposed development.
(H) Grading permits. The Committee shall review grading permits for non-residential development projects to assure that the proposed grading permits will maintain finished grade height compatibility with adjacent lots and not be environmentally detrimental.
(I) Determination of permitted uses not specifically listed in Title 17.
(J) Review of Large Family Day Care Homes.
(K) Game courts shall be reviewed for compliance with applicable standards.
(L) Private transmitting antennae; and satellite receiving antennae.
(M) Oak tree preservation permits for removal of healthy trees.
(N) Cantilevered decking/in the hillsides.
(O) Outdoor dining located on or adjacent to public sidewalks as well as privately-owned sidewalks in shopping centers.
(P) Valet parking permits.
(Q) Outdoor merchandise displays in the HCD and PD-5 zones, subject to the provisions of § 17.44.112.
(S) Determinations on nonconforming uses and nonconforming structures pursuant to Chapter 17.48 of this code.
(T) Determination of lot orientation, lot depth, and/or lot width for irregularly shaped lots.
(U) The Director of Community Development may defer a decision to the Development Review Committee where applications are beyond the scope of the Community Development Department.
(V) Shopping cart containment and retrieval plans. The Committee shall have the power to hear and approve, conditionally approve or deny shopping cart containment and retrieval plans, as required pursuant to Chapter 8.13 of this code.
(W) Automotive repair facility operations permits. The Committee shall have the power to hear and approve, conditionally approve, amend, or deny operations permits for nonconforming automobile repair facilities, as required for nonconforming automobile repair facilities pursuant to § 5.84.030.
(`83 Code, § 2.56.030) (Ord. 82-7 § 1 (part), 1982; Ord. 87-31 § 1, 1987; Ord. 89-14 § 1, 1989 ; Ord. 91-20 § 1, 1991; Ord. 92-05 § 23, 1992; Ord. 92-24 § 5, 1993; Ord. 95-05 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-14 § 2, 1995; Ord. 2000-11 § 4, 2000 Ord. 2000-27 § 1, 2000; Ord. 2002-08, § 4, 2002; Ord. 2003-09 § 4, 2003; Ord. 2005-01 § 4, 2005; Ord. 2010-11 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2014-08 § 8, 2014; Ord. 2016-08 §§ 8-12, 2016; Ord. 2017-04 § 7, 2017; Ord. 2020-10 § 6, 2020; Ord. 2020-12 § 9, 2021; Ord. 2024-01 § 7, 2024; Ord. 2024-06 § 7, 2024)