Chapter 17.79 — PUBLIC HEARINGS

The purpose of this chapter is to establish uniform public hearing and notification standards for all zoning actions taken by the city of Waterford that require a public hearing. (Ord. 2011-02 §1)

Notice of a public hearing shall be given as follows:

• A. All public hearing notices shall be prepared in such a way as to allow interested persons to understand the basic nature of the proposal. A public hearing notice shall include all of the information required by state law including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. The date, time and location of the public hearing;

  2. The body conducting the public hearing;

  3. A brief description of the project;

  4. The project street address and general location;

  5. The names of the project applicant and property owner;

  6. The city file and/or permit number;

  7. A statement as to the contemplated CEQA action on the project; and

  8. A statement advising interested persons that they have the right to appear at the public hearing and be heard.

• B. If the proposed action includes a determination under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including, but not limited to, an Exemption Determination, Negative Declaration or Final Environmental Impact Report or other CEQA action pursuant to Section 17.70.070 (Environmental review) of this title, the city of Waterford CEQA policy and procedures, and California state law, the hearing notice shall include a statement that the hearing body will also consider approval of the proposed CEQA action and the nature of that action.

• C. Notice of a public hearing shall be provided in a minimum of two of the following:

  1. Publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the city of Waterford not less than ten working days prior to the date of the hearing.

  2. Posting the notice of the hearing at the site of the property involved not less than ten working days prior to the hearing.

  3. Mailing notice of the hearing by first-class mail at least ten working days prior to the date of the hearing to all owners of real property, as shown on the latest equalized assessment roll, within three hundred feet of the boundaries of the real property that is the subject of the hearing.

  4. For public hearings affecting property on a city-wide level or where more than one thousand notices would have to be mailed, an alternative to the noticing procedures in subsection (C) (3) of this section may be used by publishing a display advertisement of at least one-eighth page in size, published at least ten working days prior to the date of the public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation.

• D. Additional Notices.

  1. Mailing notice of the hearing at least ten working days prior to the hearing date to the owner of the subject real property and his or her duly authorized agent, and the project applicant.

  2. Mailing notice of the hearing at least ten working days prior to the hearing date to each local agency or city department expected to provide water, sewage, streets, roads, schools, or other essential facilities or services to the project and whose ability to provide those facilities and services may be significantly affected.

• E. Posted Notice. Agendas listing all public hearing items are posted in the Waterford city hall and city council chambers at least seventy-two hours prior to the hearing date.

• F. Alternative Notice. If approval is by the planning director without a public hearing, notice may be given only to the owner/applicant and the adjacent property owners (i.e., adjoining or across the street). A newspaper notice is not required. However, the planning director may also determine that any other additional notice will be given because of concerns expressed about a project by other residents or property owners in the area. In addition, notice may not be given to adjacent property owners in applications for minor modifications to permits where there are no significant issues.

• (Ord. 2011-02 §1)

• A. A quorum of the planning commission shall consist of three members.

• B. Actions by the commission shall require a majority vote of the total membership of the commission.

• (Ord. 2011-02 §1)

Public hearings required under the provisions of this title before the Waterford city council shall be conducted in accordance with state law and the Waterford Municipal Code. (Ord. 2011-02 §1)