SECTION 25.49
PLANNING AREAS

Sections:

25.49.1    Establishment

25.49.2    Planning Area Design Review Committee

25.49.1 Establishment

The city council may define by resolution a portion of the City of Fairfield as a planning area. The council may adopt design guidelines for each planning area and establish review procedures for applications in a planning area which are unique to that area.

25.49.2 Planning Area Design Review Committee

A.    Responsibilities. The Planning Area Design Review Committee(s) shall:

1.    Make recommendations to the Planning Commission on any matter concerning aesthetic, architectural, site planning judgment and subdivision design within the boundary of a planning area as assigned by the City Council.

2.    Be the advisory agency to the Planning Commission on each application for Development Review, freeway oriented freestanding signs, and Tentative Subdivision Map as assigned by the City Council within the boundaries of the planning area.

3.    Make recommendations to the Planning Commission regarding the design criteria, standards and policies to promote high quality design for development of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional property as assigned by the City Council within the boundaries of the planning area. This may include projects or proposals requiring ministerial approval, minor discretionary review, minor development review, and development review.

The guidelines may include the establishment of criteria for site planning, landscape treatment, building design, and signs. Design guidelines for single-family dwellings may include standards regarding setbacks, yard areas, access, vehicle parking requirements, roof overhangs, roofing materials and siding materials. The Planning Commission or the City Council shall approve the criteria, standards, and policies before use.

4.    The Planning Commission or City Council may refer any matter concerning aesthetic, site planning, architectural consideration to a Planning Area Design Review Committee for review and recommendation.

B.    Membership. A Planning Area Design Review Committee shall consist of:

1.    Standing Members. Standing members shall include three members of the Planning Commission appointed by vote of the Planning Commission from its membership.

2.    Planning Area Members. Planning area members may include up to two persons to be appointed by the City Council to review applications within a planning area. The duties and powers of these members shall be the same as those of standing members.

C.    Membership term and appointment. The term of office for planning area members shall be four years beginning January 1 and ending December 31. Appointments to vacancies for planning area members shall be for the unexpired portion of the term. The term of office for standing members shall be at the discretion of the Planning Commission.

Members appointed by the City Council and the Planning Commission may be reappointed at the pleasure of the body which made the appointment, however, no member may serve more than two four- year terms plus unexpired term to which he or she may have been appointed but in no event more than ten (10) years; provided, however, that a member who has served one or more two-year terms may be reappointed to one additional term of four years so long as the total length of service, including any unexpired term, does not exceed ten (10) years.