Chapter 2.40
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Sections:
2.40.020 Director – Appointment and removal.
2.40.030 Powers and duties of the department.
2.40.040 Transfer of building department responsibilities.
2.40.050 Transfer of planning department responsibilities.
2.40.060 Transfer of engineering and other responsibilities.
2.40.010 Department created.
(1) There is hereby created a department of development services for the purpose of administering city ordinances, development standards and plans which regulate building construction, the use of land, and housing. The mayor shall assign such employees to this department as she deems appropriate.
(2) This department shall be known as the department of development services. All references in the Oak Harbor Municipal Code to “engineering department” in OHMC Titles 18, 19, 20 and 21; “planning department” and “building department”, throughout the municipal code shall be deemed to be references to department of development services.
(3) The purposes of this consolidation are to:
(a) Obtain more efficient delivery of permit and inspections services through creation of a unified organization response for all inspections and permit reviews;
(b) Provide consistent application of development standards;
(c) Encourage and support economic development through achieving;
(d) Centralize location of permit applications to provide convenience for permit applicants and others. (Ord. 1256 § 2, 2001).
2.40.020 Director – Appointment and removal.
The department of development services shall be headed by a director who shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. The development services director under direction of the mayor shall supervise and direct all employees assigned to the department of development services and manage and administer activities of the department. The development services director shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor pursuant to an employment contract proposed by the mayor and approved by the city council. All references to “planning director” and “director of planning and community development” shall be deemed references to the development services director. (Ord. 1628 § 5, 2012; Ord. 1256 § 3, 2001).
2.40.030 Powers and duties of the department.
The department of development services shall perform the following functions:
(1) Administer and enforce all city codes, as now in effect or as hereafter amended concerning the construction of buildings and development of land including those concerning building ordinances of the city, including but not limited to, the provisions of the building code, plumbing code, mechanical code, abatement of dangerous building code, housing and building maintenance code, zoning code, platting code and SEPA codes.
(2) Assure proper processing applications for construction permits, for grading permits, for use permits, for conditional use permits, variances and other zoning code permits, for subdivisions, short subdivisions, condominium plats, site plans and for other land use approvals, including those related to shoreline management.
(3) Conduct reviews of the effects of proposed projects on the environment, as contemplated in the State Environmental Policy Act and city ordinances.
(4) Promote compliance with permit reform requirements under Chapter 36.70B RCW.
(5) Promote compliance with the Growth Management Act under Chapter 36.70A RCW.
(6) Maintain appropriate records regarding property, permits and structures.
(7) Develop and maintain compliance program for nuisance abatement in the city.
(8) Discharge such other responsibilities as may be directed by the mayor or by ordinance consistent with the laws of the state of Washington. (Ord. 1256 § 4, 2001).
2.40.040 Transfer of building department responsibilities.
All of the responsibilities, and other obligations of the building department are transferred to the department of development services. (Ord. 1256 § 5, 2001).
2.40.050 Transfer of planning department responsibilities.
All of the responsibilities, and other obligations of the planning department including the responsibilities associated with the processing of permits under land use codes such as applications for variances, conditional uses and other matters under the zoning code, the subdivision code, the State Environmental Policy Act and related city ordinances, the Shorelines Management Act and other legislation relating to land use regulation are transferred to the department of development services along with the obligations associated with the accomplishment of such responsibilities, including comprehensive and other land use planning, conducting zoning studies and preparing zoning text and map amendments. (Ord. 1256 § 6, 2001).
2.40.060 Transfer of engineering and other responsibilities.
Other responsibilities under city ordinances including some carried out under the engineering department concerning land use and construction may be transferred by the mayor upon written direction, notice of which is given to the city council. (Ord. 1256 § 7, 2001).