Planning Division

The following are the responsibilities of the Planning Department are as follows:

• Assisting the public by providing information related to planning functions within the city, including permitted land uses, development standards, and development processes
• Assisting the City Council with planning for the city’s future development (long-range planning actions)
• Providing staff support to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is a five-member body appointed by the City Council. The commission retains jurisdiction over various land use matters, including the:
  consideration of conditional use permits, subdivision maps, certain design review matters, and serves as a policy advisory capacity to the City Council
• Reviewing development applications and related proposals for conformance with the city’s adopted policies and ordinances (current-planning actions)
• Preparing environmental documentation (evaluations of potential impacts and identification of mitigation measures for new development projects) in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Maintaining and implementing the city’s long-range planning documents, including the General Plan. The General Plan guides city development actions through adoption of goals and policies. It includes elements or chapters that focus on key development issues, including the following:
  • Circulation
  • Housing
  • Land use
  • Noise
  • Open space and conservation
  • Public safety
• Maintaining and implementing the city’s Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance is an implementation tool of the General Plan. It prescribes the type, location, range, and intensity of land uses. It also establishes development standards and land use processes throughout the city.