Chapter 03 — PLANNING RESPONSIBILITIES

CHAPTER 03 - PLANNING RESPONSIBILITIES

18.03.010 - Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish the administration of this title and to set forth the basic responsibilities of the officials and bodies charged with its administration.

(Ord. No. 2020-1059, § 1, 3-23-2020)

18.03.020 - Composition of the Ceres Planning Agency.

Section 65100 of the California Government Code requires each jurisdiction to establish a planning agency to carry out the land use and planning functions of the jurisdiction. The functions of the Planning Agency, as designated by this title, may be any one of the following, as further defined in this chapter and title. In the absence of an assignment, the City Council shall have the Planning Agency responsibility and authority.

A.

City Council;

B.

Planning Commission;

C.

Director of Community Development.

(Ord. No. 2020-1059, § 1, 3-23-2020)

The City Council shall have the following land use responsibilities:

A.

Members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council as provided in title 2 of this Code.

B.

Hear and decide appeals of the decisions of the Planning Commission.

C.

Hear and decide applications for zoning amendments, general plan amendments, community plans, specific/master plans, special planning areas, prezoning, and development agreements. In the event that applications for other land use permits are requested in conjunction with these entitlements, the City Council shall also be the final decision-making body for the other land use permits.

D.

Direct planning-related policy amendments and special studies as necessary or desired.

E.

Exercise such other powers and duties as are prescribed by State law or local ordinance.

(Ord. No. 2020-1059, § 1, 3-23-2020)

18.03.040 - Responsibilities of the Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission shall have the following land use responsibilities:

A.

Hear and decide appeals of the decisions of the Planning Division and the Director of Community Development.

B.

Hear and decide applications for conditional use permits, variances, major design review (e.g., site plan approval or specific plan site plan entitlements), extensions to nonconforming use status, tentative subdivision maps, and tentative parcel maps.

C.

Review and approve or disapprove official zoning interpretations.

D.

Hear and make recommendations to the City Council on applications or proposals for amendments to this title.

E.

Initiate studies of amendments to this title and make recommendations to the City Council for amendments to this title.

F.

Hear and make recommendations to the City Council on applications for zoning amendments, the general plan and its amendments, specific/master plans, special planning areas, prezoning, and other related planning studies.

G.

Exercise such other powers and duties as are prescribed by State law, local ordinance, or as directed by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 2020-1059, § 1, 3-23-2020)

The Director of Community Development shall have the responsibility and authority to administer and enforce this title as follows:

A.

Maintain the sections of this title, zoning map, and all records of zoning actions and interpretations.

B.

Advise the City Council, City Manager, and Planning Commission on planning matters.

C.

Decide administrative permits, minor deviations, minor uniform sign programs, parking reduction permits, reasonable accommodation permits, and temporary use permits.

D.

Staff meetings and provide administrative services for the Planning Commission.

E.

Direct planning-related policy amendments and special studies as necessary or desired.

F.

Conduct administrative functions authorized by this title, including distribution and receipt of permit applications and corresponding fees, application review and public noticing, determination and issuance of administrative permits and approvals, and preparation of staff reports with recommendations, proposed findings, and proposed conditions for quasi-judicial and legislative actions by the City Council and Planning Commission.

G.

Provide information to the public and facilitate public participation on planning matters.

H.

Prepare official zoning interpretations for Planning Commission review and action.

I.

Hear and decide applications for minor design reviews and minor use permits.

J.

Hear and decide tentative subdivision, vesting subdivision map and other land use entitlement extensions.

K.

Exercise such other powers and duties as are prescribed by State law, local ordinance, or as directed by the City Manager.

(Ord. No. 2020-1059, § 1, 3-23-2020)

The City Council may form a committee for the purposes of reviewing updating, and recommending amendments to the City's general plan. The Committee shall be composed of two Planning Commissioners; two City Council members; and such other members as the City Council may from time to time determine are necessary or desirable. All members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the concurrence of the City Council. Each member of the General Plan Review Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor for an indefinite term, and may be removed by the recommendation of the Mayor and confirmation by a majority vote of the City Council.

(Ord. No. 2020-1059, § 1, 3-23-2020)

The City Council, may at any time, establish a Committee for the purpose of reviewing and updating the City's Zoning Code as it relates to sign regulations. The committee shall be composed of two Council members and two Planning Commissioners. Committee meetings may be called at the discretion of the Mayor or Chairman of the Planning Commission.

(Ord. No. 2020-1059, § 1, 3-23-2020)