Planning 101 PresentationUntitledPLANNING COMMISSION
Planning 101
David See
Principal Planner
Planning Services
Building and Safety
Community Preservation/Licensing
2
Building Division
Code EnforcementCurrent & Advanced PlanningBusiness License Planning Information Team
ADVANCED PLANNING/SPECIAL PROJECTS
PLANNING INFORMATION
CURRENT PLANNING
General Plan and Zoning Code
Regional Planning (SCAG and OCCOG)
Development Projections (RHNA)
CEQA Reviews (Internal and External)
Flood Zone Administration
Demographics
General Plan
City’s Master Plan for development
Policy Statements – Text and Map
Required by State Law
Updated every 20 years
Specific Plans
Set of permitted land uses and development standards that apply to a
specific geographic area (eg. Resort Area)
Zoning Code
Ordinance that implements General Plan policies
Development Standards – Setbacks, Signs, and Parking
SCAG
Joint Powers Authority to address regional issues
Encompasses six counties, 191 cities, and covers 38,000 sq. miles
Develops regional transportation plans, growth forecasts and regional
housing needs assessments, and air quality management plans
OCCOG
Orange County’s sub-regional planning organization
Coordinate common governmental responsibilities
RHNA
Mandated by State Housing Law
Used by cities in land use planning, prioritizing resource allocation,
and deciding how to address future housing needs
NEPA
Signed into law in 1970
Fundamental shift toward a more environmentally balanced approach
CEQA
Adopted in California in 1970
Inform government decision makers and the public about the potential
significant environmental impacts of proposed developments
Identify ways that environmental impacts can be avoided or
significantly reduced
Prevent significant avoidable damage to the environment by requiring
changes in the project through the use of alternatives and mitigation
Disclose to the public the reason that an agency approved a project
including all of its environmental impacts
•Discretionary projects (CEQA)
Tentative Tract or Parcel Maps
General Plan Amendments
Conditional Use Permits and Variances
•Ministerial projects (no CEQA)
Demolition permits
Building permits
Discretionary Projects
Statutory or Categorical Exemption
Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration
Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
•Existing Facilities
•Reconstruction
•Small Structures
•Minor Alterations to Land or
Land Use
•Actions by regulatory
agencies for natural resources
protection or protection of the
environment
•Surplus property sales
•Land acquisition for wildlife
conservation
•Minor additions to schools
•Minor land divisions
•Transfer of ownership for
parks
Total of 33 categories (Classes) outlined in CEQA Guidelines
•Purpose
Include a project description
To decide between a Negative Declaration,
Mitigated Negative Declaration, or EIR
Refine issues to be addressed in an EIR
Once initial study is complete, a Negative
Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration
can be prepared if there is no substantial evidence of
adverse effects on the environment
If such findings cannot be made, then an EIR must be
prepared
Review Administrative Applications
Conduct over the counter plan checks
Review Business License applications for
Zoning compliance
Answer Planning and Zoning
questions from
homeowners, business owners,
realtors and developers
Manage Mills Act Program
Consult with potential applicants
Review Mills Act application requests
Monitor on-going Mills Act contract compliance
Manage on-call preservation consultant
Collaborate with Historic Preservation Committee
Attend bi-monthly meetings
Report on on-going preservation activities
Collaborate on annual compliance review
Encourage Preservation Efforts
Publicize Mills Act Program (mailers, video series)
Review remodel plans for Historic/Contributor properties
The City’s Business Assistance Program
offers personalized assistance to any
business processing plans for new
construction, expansion or tenant
improvements
The City’s business concierge services are
focused on:
•Reducing compliance time
•Reducing cost and increasing certainty
•Building partnerships
Planning Commission/
City Council Reviews of:
•Conditional Use Permits
•Variances
•Subdivisions
•General Plan Amendment
• Rezonings
Planning Commission Coordination
Commission Meets Bi-Weekly
(approximately 85 applications per year)
Manage approved projects through construction
General Plan and Zoning Compliance
Permitted or Not Permitted?
Discretionary vs. “By Right” Uses
Compliance with Zoning Standards
Parking
Setbacks
Building Height
Landscaping and Open Space
Architectural and Design Review
General Plan policies
Design Guidelines
If use is allowed by-right, then a business
license and any associated plans are reviewed
over the counter or through a short plan check
process
If use is not allowed by-right, then it is
considered discretionary, which means it is
subject to review and approval by the Planning
Commission or City Council
Application Phase:
Application and plans are reviewed over a 30-
day period and determined to be “complete” or
“incomplete” (per Permit Streamlining Act)
Public Hearing Phase
Typically takes five weeks to get to a hearing
once an application is deemed “complete” and
is ready to take to the Planning Commission.
Seven member body appointed by City Council
Responsible for reviewing discretionary land
use applications
Applications are considered at noticed public
hearings held every other Monday at 5:00 p.m.
In most cases, the Planning Commission’s
decision is the final action taken
Exceptions: General Plan Amendments,
Specific Plan Amendments, and Development
Agreements which require City Council
Action
Decisions are subject to 10-day appeal
Anaheim Resort Mobility Plan
Affordable Housing/Density Bonus
Group Homes
Public Works 101
Economic Development
PLANNING COMMISSION
Planning 101
David See
Principal Planner