Chapter 17.05
CITY OF ANGELS CEQA GUIDELINES AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCEDURES
Sections:
17.05.020 Incorporation of state CEQA guidelines.
17.05.030 City of Angels CEQA guidelines and environmental review procedures.
17.05.050 Delegation of responsibility.
17.05.060 Appeals of environmental determinations.
17.05.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this section is to provide the city of Angels, project applicants, and the public with the procedures to be used in administering the city’s responsibilities under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), codified as Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq., and as amended.
These guidelines are prepared in accordance with the state CEQA guidelines, Public Resources Code Section 15022, which states that each public agency shall adopt objectives, criteria, and specific procedures consistent with CEQA and the state CEQA guidelines for administering its responsibilities under CEQA, including the orderly evaluation of projects and preparation of environmental documents. (Ord. 529 (5/16/23) §1 (Att. A), 2023)
17.05.020 Incorporation of state CEQA guidelines.
The full text of the state CEQA guidelines as amended is hereby incorporated by reference into this chapter as if fully set out herein and shall supersede any inconsistent provisions of these city environmental review procedures. These environmental review procedures supplement the state CEQA guidelines adopted as 14 California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000 et seq. In the event there is a conflict between the Public Resources Code and the CEQA guidelines, the Public Resources Code shall govern.
In the event there is a conflict between these local guidelines and the state CEQA guidelines, the state CEQA guidelines shall govern. (Ord. 529 (5/16/23) §1 (Att. A), 2023)
17.05.030 City of Angels CEQA guidelines and environmental review procedures.
There is created a document known as the "City of Angels CEQA Guidelines and Environmental Review Procedures." The document sets forth the procedures for the city’s orderly evaluation of projects and preparation of environmental documents pursuant to CEQA.
This document may be amended by resolution of intent of the planning commission made to the city council and changes will be adopted by the city council by resolution. (Ord. 529 (5/16/23) §1 (Att. A), 2023)
17.05.040 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter and the city of Angels CEQA guidelines and environmental review procedures, the following definitions apply:
"CEQA" shall mean the California Environmental Quality Act, the state guidelines for implementing the California Environmental Quality Act, and the city of Angels CEQA guidelines and environmental review procedures.
"City planner" shall mean the city planner or his or her designee, and sometimes referred to as the community development department director or planning director.
"Department" shall mean the community development department, planning division.
"Director" shall mean the city planner.
"Environment" shall be as defined in Section 15360 of the state CEQA guidelines.
"Environmental document" shall mean a draft or final version of a negative declaration (ND), mitigated negative declaration (MND), or environmental impact report (EIR). (Ord. 529 (5/16/23) §1 (Att. A), 2023)
17.05.050 Delegation of responsibility.
The city planner is responsible for administering and implementing the provisions of CEQA and the state and city guidelines for implementing the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970. (Ord. 529 (5/16/23) §1 (Att. A), 2023)
17.05.060 Appeals of environmental determinations.
A. Any determination or decision made by the city planner pursuant to these environmental review procedures may be appealed to the planning commission by any person aggrieved or affected by such determination or decision. Such an appeal shall be made by filing a written appeal with the city clerk within ten calendar days after the decision or determination. The written appeal shall set forth the grounds upon which the appeal is based. The planning commission shall act on the appeal within thirty days of the date of the filing of written appeal, or as soon thereafter as may be heard.
B. Any determination or decision made by the planning commission pursuant to these environmental review procedures may be appealed to the city council by any person aggrieved or affected by such determination or decision. Such an appeal shall be made by filing a written appeal with the city clerk within ten calendar days after the decision or determination. The written appeal shall set forth the grounds upon which the appeal is based. The city council shall act on the appeal within thirty days of the date of the filing of written appeal, or as soon thereafter as may be heard.
C. Where an appeal is made on the decision of a project, the planning commission or city council may also review the environmental document prepared for the project; however, the environmental document need not be recertified if the appeal is not based on issues of the environment. (Ord. 529 (5/16/23) §1 (Att. A), 2023)