Chapter 17.96
Public Hearings

Note: Chapter 17.96 applies to all planning permits required by this Development Code other than Coastal Development Permits. Notice and public hearing procedures for Coastal Development Permits are contained in Section 17.71.045.

Sections:

17.96.010    Purpose of Chapter

17.96.020    Notice of Hearing for Permits Other than Coastal Development Permits

17.96.050    Scheduling of Hearing

17.96.060    Hearing Procedure

17.96.070    Recommendation by Commission

17.96.080    Decision and Notice

17.96.090    Effective Date of Decision

17.96.010 - Purpose of Chapter

This Chapter provides procedures for public hearings required by this Development Code for all permits other than Coastal Development Permits. When a public hearing is required, advance notice of the hearing shall be given, and the hearing shall be conducted, in compliance with this Chapter.

17.96.020 - Notice of Hearing for Permits Other Than Coastal Development Permits

When this Development Code requires a public hearing before a decision on a permit, or for another matter, the public shall be provided notice of the hearing in compliance with State law (Government Code Sections 65090, 65091, 65094 and 66451.3, and Public Resources Code 21000 et seq.), and as required by this Chapter. Notice and public hearing procedures for Coastal Development Permits shall comply with the requirements of Section 17.71.045.

A.    Content of notice. Notice of a public hearing shall include all of the following information, as applicable.

1.    Hearing information. The date, time, and place of the hearing and the name of the review authority; a brief description of the City’s general procedure concerning the conduct of hearings and decisions (e.g., the public’s right to appear and be heard); and the phone number and street address of the Department, where an interested person could call or visit to obtain additional information.

2.    Project information. The date of filing of the application and the name of the applicant; the City’s file number assigned to the application; a general explanation of the matter to be considered; a general description, in text and/or by diagram, of the location of the property that is the subject of the hearing.

3.    Statement on environmental document. If a proposed Negative Declaration or final Environmental Impact Report has been prepared for the project in compliance with Chapter 17.72 (Environmental Impact Assessment and Mitigation Monitoring), the hearing notice shall include a statement that the review authority will also consider approval of the proposed Negative Declaration or certification of the final Environmental Impact Report.

4.    Coastal Zone information. The notice shall also include a statement that the development is within the Coastal Zone.

B.    Method of notice distribution. Notice of a public hearing required by this Chapter for a planning permit, amendment, or appeal shall be given as follows, as required by State law (Government Code Sections 65090 and 65091).

1.    Publication. Notice shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City at least 10 days before the scheduled hearing.

2.    Mailing. Notice shall be mailed or delivered at least 10 days before the scheduled hearing to the following:

a.    Project site owners. The owners of the property being considered in the application, or the owners’ agent, and the applicant;

b.    Local agencies. Each local agency expected to provide schools, water, or other essential facilities or services to the project, whose ability to provide the facilities and services may be significantly affected;

c.    Affected owners. All owners of real property as shown on the latest equalized assessment roll, within a radius of 300 feet of the exterior boundaries of the parcel that is the subject of the hearing; and any other person whose property might, in the judgment of the Director, be affected by the proposed project;

d.    Nearby residents. Each dwelling unit within 100 feet of the exterior boundaries of the parcel that is the subject of the hearing;

e.    Persons requesting notice. Any person who has filed a written request for notice with the Director and has paid the required fee for the notice; and

3.    Alternative to mailing. If the number of property owners to whom notice would be mailed in compliance with Subsection B.2 above is more than 1,000, the Director may choose to provide the alternative notice allowed by State law (Government Code Section 65091(a)(3)),.

4.    Posting. Notice shall be posted on, or adjacent to the subject parcel in a conspicuous location.

5.    Additional notice. In addition to the types of notice required above, the Director may provide any additional notice with content or using a distribution method (e.g., posting on the City’s web site) as the Director determines is necessary or desirable.

17.96.050 - Scheduling of Hearing

After the completion of any environmental document required by Chapter 17.72 (Environmental Impact Assessment and Mitigation Monitoring) and a Department staff report, a matter requiring a public hearing shall be scheduled on the next available Director, Commission or Council agenda (as applicable) reserved for public hearings, but no sooner than any minimum time period established by State law.

17.96.060 - Hearing Procedure

A.    Time and place of hearing. A hearing shall be held at the date, time, and place for which notice was given.

B.    Continued hearing. Any hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice; provided that the chair of the hearing body announces the date, time, and place to which the hearing will be continued before the adjournment or recess of the hearing.

C.    Deferral of final decision. The review authority may announce a tentative decision, and defer their action on a final decision until appropriate findings and/or conditions of approval have been prepared.

17.96.070 - Recommendation by Commission

After a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the General Plan, this Development Code, the Zoning Map, or other provision of the certified Local Coastal Program, a development agreement, or a specific plan, the recommendation and findings of the Commission shall be forwarded to the Council. A copy of the recommendation shall be mailed to the applicant at the address shown on the application.

17.96.080 - Decision and Notice

A.    Decision.

1.    The review authority may announce and record their decision on the matter being considered at the conclusion of a scheduled hearing, or defer action and continue the matter to a later meeting agenda in compliance with Section 17.96.060 (Hearing Procedure), above.

2.    At the conclusion of a hearing conducted by the Director, the Director may instead refer the matter to the Commission for a determination.

3.    The decision of the Council shall be final.

B.    Notice of decision.

1.    Provision of notice. Within 10 days of a final decision on an application for a permit or other approval required by this Development Code, the City shall provide notice of its final action to the applicant and to any person who specifically requested notice of the City’s final action.

2.    Contents of notice. The notice of the final decision shall contain applicable findings, conditions of approval, reporting/monitoring requirements deemed necessary to mitigate any impacts and protect the public convenience, health, interest, safety, or general welfare of the City, and the procedure for appeal.

17.96.090 - Effective Date of Decision

The decision of the Director or Commission is final and effective on the 11th day following the date the decision is rendered, unless a local appeal is filed in compliance with Chapter 17.92.030 (Filing and Processing of Local Appeals).