19.02.040 Review Authorities
The development review process involves the participation of the following:
   1.   MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL
The Council shall have final decision authority for appeals, final maps, Specific Plans, General Plan Amendments, Development Code Amendments, Improvement and Development Agreements, Surface Mining and Land Reclamation, and the acceptance by the City of lands and/or improvements as may be proposed for dedication to the City, except Deeds of Dedication and parcel maps of four or fewer parcels with no development agreements. The Council may also impose conditions of approval.
   2.   PLANNING COMMISSION
      A.   APPOINTMENT
The Planning Commission shall consist of nine members appointed by the Mayor and Common Council and serve pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.17 of the Municipal Code.
      B.   DUTIES
The Commission shall perform the duties and functions prescribed in this Development Code. The Commission shall prepare, recommend adoption, implement and periodically review and recommend revisions to the General Plan and this Development Code for the desired physical development of the City, and any land within its Sphere of Influence.
      C.   POWERS
Final approval for Variances, Specified Development Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Tentative Tract Maps, Reversions to Acreage, and Vesting Tentative Tract Maps subject to appeal to the Mayor and Common Council. Also, the Commission recommends to the Mayor and Common Council for final determination on the following entitlements: Specific Plans, General Plan Amendments, Development Code Amendments, Development Agreements and Surface Mining and Land Reclamation Plans. The Commission may also impose conditions of approval or make interpretations of the General Plan which may be appealed to the Mayor and Common Council.
(Ord. MC-1393, 12-02-13)
   3.   DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND BUILDING SERVICES
      A.   APPOINTMENT
The Director of Community Development and Housing shall be appointed by the Mayor and Common Council.
      B.   DUTIES
The Director shall perform the duties and functions provided in this Development Code, in addition to the day-to-day and long range management of the Department of Community Development and Housing.
This includes the acceptance and processing of all land use permit applications (i.e. variances, development permits, tract maps, etc.).
      C.   POWERS
Final approval authority for and enforcement of: Building Permits, Certificates of Occupancy, Specified Development Permits, Lot Line or Boundary Adjustments, Home Occupation Permits, Minor Exceptions, Minor Modifications, Sign Permits, Similar Use Determinations, Temporary Use Permits. All of the above except Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy are subject to appeal to the Planning Commission. The Director may impose conditions of approval or make interpretations of this Development Code, which may be appealed to the Planning Commission.
(Ord. MC-1393, 12-02-13)
   4.   DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE (DRC)
      A.   MEMBERSHIP
The DRC members shall consist of representatives of the following departments: Community Development (a designee from the Planning Division [Chairperson], a designee from the Building Division, and a designee from the Land Development Division [representing the Public Works Department]), Integrated Waste Management, Fire, and Water. The representatives shall be the Director of the Department or their designees(s). An urban design professional may be retained on a consultant basis or placed on staff to provide input on design review as required by Chapter 19.38, Design Review.
(Ord. MC-1383, 1-16-13)
      B.   DUTIES
The DRC shall perform the duties and functions provided in this Development Code.
      C.   POWERS
Final approval authority for: specified Development Permits, Tentative Parcel Maps, design review and adoption of Negative Declarations, subject to appeal to the Planning Commission. The DRC may impose conditions of approval.
(Ord. MC-1393, 12-02-13)
   5.   ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE (ERC)
      A.   MEMBERSHIP
The ERC members shall consist of representatives of the following departments: Community Development (a designee from the Planning Division [Chairperson], a designee from the Building Division, and a designee from the Land Development Division [representing the Public Works Department]), Integrated Waste Management, Fire, and Water. The representatives shall be the Director of the Department or their designees(s).
(Ord. MC-1383, 1-16-13)
      B.   DUTIES
The ERC shall perform the duties and functions provided in the City Environmental Review Guidelines, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA State Guidelines, as amended.
      C.   POWERS
The ERC shall have authority to make determinations for Negative Declaration, mitigated Negative Declarations, or the need for preparing an Environmental Impact Report for discretionary (non-ministerial) applications. The ERC may recommend mitigation measures or requirements in making environmental determinations. Determinations of the ERC shall be final unless appealed to the Planning Commission. The ERC may recommend conditions of approval.
   6.   CITY ENGINEER
The City Engineer shall be responsible for the following:
      A.   The processing and recommendation to the Council on all matters pertaining
to final tract and final parcel maps.
      B.   Determining if proposed subdivision improvements comply with the provisions of the Municipal Code, the Map Act and improvement standards.
      C.   Establishing design and construction details, improvement standards and specifications.
   D.   The processing and approval, conditional approval, or denial of certificates of compliance, mergers/unmergers and correction and amendment of maps.
   E.   The inspection and approval of subdivision improvements.
   F.   Establishment of security amounts, and other financial provisions.
   G.   Approval of parcel maps without an agreement.
   H.   Acceptance of dedications on parcel maps without an agreement.
(Ord. MC-1625, 2-21-24; Ord. MC-782, 5-03-91)