Chapter 17.60
SITE PLAN REVIEW
Sections:
17.60.010 Purpose and intent.
17.60.020 Site plan review commission.
17.60.025 Site plan review by planning department.
17.60.030 Conformance with chapter requirements.
17.60.040 Administration.
17.60.050 Application and procedure.
17.60.070 Denial.
17.60.010 Purpose and intent.
A. The council of the city of Angels does find and declare:
1. That the appearance of open spaces, buildings and structures visible from public streets has a material and substantial relationship to property values and the taxable value of property of the city;
2. That many neighborhoods in other communities have deteriorated in the past by reason of poor planning, neglect of proper design standards and the erection of buildings and structures unsuitable to and incompatible with the character of the neighborhood, resulting in poor design, possible reduction of property values and the impairment of the public health, safety and welfare therein;
3. That it is the policy of the city of Angels to avoid and prevent possible deterioration as described, and by the various means provided in this chapter to preserve and enhance the property values, visual character of the community and the public health, safety and welfare of the city;
4. This chapter is adopted pursuant to the appropriate provisions of the Planning and Zoning Law of the state of California, Government Code Section 65000, et seq.
B. It is therefore the declared intent of the city that this chapter shall serve the following purposes:
1. To improve the general standards of orderly development of the city through site plan review of individual buildings, structures and their environs;
2. To improve and augment the controls now included in ordinances related to planning and building and in order to promote development which is in the best interests of the public health, safety and welfare of the city; and
3. To establish standards and policies that will promote and enhance good design, site relationships and other aesthetic considerations in the city. (Ord. 270 (part), 1984)
17.60.020 Site plan review commission.
The planning commission is established as the site plan review commission for the purpose of investigating the design, layout and other features of proposed developments in keeping with the intent and purposes set forth in Section 17.60.010, except as otherwise provided in Section 17.60.025. (Ord. 395 (part), 2003: Ord. 270 (part), 1984)
17.60.025 Site plan review by planning department.
The city planner may conduct a site plan review and give final approval to a site plan without planning commission review and without holding a public hearing where all of the following apply:
A. Conversion of one use to another use where only a site plan review is required; and
B. Use of an existing structure involving negligible or no expansion and no significant change to the existing footprint of the structure; and
C. No deviations from the landscaping, parking, sign or other requirements of the city of Angels Municipal Code are requested by the applicant; and
D. The proposed project is located outside of the historic district.
When conducting a site plan review in accordance with this section, the city planner shall notify adjoining parcel owners within three hundred feet of the proposed use, members of the planning commission and interested advisory agencies prior to approving a site plan subject to this section. The city planner may, at his or her own discretion, refer an application received pursuant to this section to the planning commission for a public hearing.
If the city is without a city planner, site plan reviews pursuant to this section shall be referred to the planning commission. (Ord. 395 (part), 2003)
17.60.030 Conformance with chapter requirements.
Prior to the issuance of any permit for the erection, construction or exterior alteration of any provisions of this title, the applicant shall conform to and comply with any and all applicable requirements, rules and regulations of this chapter and shall request approval of a site plan review. (Ord. 270 (part), 1984)
17.60.040 Administration.
When a site plan is required by the provisions of this chapter or by the provisions of other parts of this title, no authorization shall be given to start construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling or any other change to any building or site layout until the site plan has been approved pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and to applicable provisions of this title.
A. The purpose of the site plan is to enable the site plan review commission, and the city council on appeal or review, to make a finding that the proposed development is in conformity with the provisions of this chapter including the intent and purposes thereof, and to guide the city staff in the issuance of building permits.
B. Findings. In approving a site plan the site plan review commission must make the following findings:
1. All provisions of this chapter are complied with;
2. The approval of this plan is in the best interest of the public health, safety and general welfare;
3. General site considerations, including site layout, open space and topography, orientation and location of buildings, vehicular access, circulation and parking, setbacks, height, walls, fences, public safety and similar elements have been designed to provide a desirable environment for the development;
4. General architectural considerations, including the character, scale and quality of the design, the architectural relationship with the site and other buildings, building materials, colors, screening of exterior appurtenances, exterior lighting and signing and similar elements have been incorporated in order to ensure the compatibility of this development with its design concept and the character of adjacent buildings;
5. General landscape considerations, including the location, type, size, color, texture and coverage of plant materials, provisions for irrigation, maintenance and protection of landscaped areas and similar elements have been considered to ensure visual relief, to compliment buildings and structures and to provide an attractive environment for the enjoyment of the public.
C. Conditions. In approving a site plan, the site plan review commission shall have authority to impose such conditions as it deems necessary to protect the best interests of the surrounding neighborhood and the public health, safety and welfare in line with the standards set forth in this title and with the general plan.
D. Denial. The site plan review commission shall deny a site plan review plan if it cannot make the findings contained in Section 17.60.040(B). (Ord. 270 (part), 1984)
17.60.050 Application and procedure.
All applications for permits as required by this chapter shall be in writing, filed in the office of the city clerk and upon a form prescribed by and furnished by the city clerk. The application shall contain the required information as specified by resolution of the city council and be processed according to procedures established by resolution of the city council. The plans and designs contained in such applications shall conform to all applicable standards and requirements of this title such as landscaping, off-street parking and street improvements unless a variance or waiver is applicable and is obtained. Likewise, such applications shall conform to all other applicable standards and requirements as may be contained in other titles within the Municipal Code or as may be adopted by resolution and maintained by the city clerk. (Ord. 323 ยง39, 1992: Ord. 270 (part), 1984)
17.60.070 Denial.
In the event that any application for change, amendment or modification shall be denied by the site plan review commission and no appeal is made or is denied by the council, substantially the same application cannot be submitted during a period of one year from the date of denial. (Ord. 270 (part), 1984)