Planning Commission Agenda Packet 102225 (1)

P25-0352, PMC Amendments Planning Commission 5 of 9 approval when City Council meetings are cancelled or there are long periods between meetings. The City’s general appeal period is substantially longer than neighboring jurisdictions, where appeal periods are typically 10 days. The appeal period adds additional time to the overall approval process of discretionary applications, as a project cannot pull building permits or begin operations until the end of the appeal period. City Process Timeline Due to the DR procedures, noticing procedures, and appeal period as described above, a project that requires DR before obtaining Building Permits may add anywhere from one to six months or more of additional review time for a project (depending on the complexity and scope of the project and the quality of materials submitted to the City). ADRs have the quickest turnaround time for DR applications, adding at minimum 30 days (but more typically 40 days) of City process time before an applicant can apply for Building Permits. DISCUSSION Staff recommends a series of PMC amendments that seek to simplify, clarify, and streamline the City’s processes. They will reduce governmental barriers to obtaining building permits for certain types of projects, improve the approval process, align appeal periods with neighboring jurisdictions, and align noticing requirements with Government Code. A summary of the proposed changes to the PMC are provided below. Design Review Amendments Staff recommends a comprehensive overhaul of PMC Chapter 18.20 that rescinds the Chapter and replaces it with amended procedures. The recommendations include revising the projects subject to DR as outlined in PMC Section 18.20.010, modifying the approval criteria outlined in PMC Section 18.20.030, and clarifying DR procedures. Staff believes it is reasonable to no longer require DR for several project types. These projects would still be required to meet all applicable City codes, policies, and adopted plans, and would still be reviewed by all applicable City divisions through the building permit process. Table 1, below, summarizes projects that staff recommend be exempt from DR: Table 1. Summary of Project Types Proposed to be Exempt from Design Review Single-family Multi-family Commercial • Fences • New accessory structures and buildings (e.g., sheds, pool house, pavilions) • New lofts without second-story windows • Additions <15’ tall • Minor modifications to roof forms that do not materially alter the appearance or height of the residence* • Minor modifications to second- story windows that don’t impact privacy* • Minor exterior building modifications (e.g., material change and painting the building)* • Minor site modifications (e.g., installing a new generator)* • Minor additions (e.g., enclosing a walkway or enlarging entry vestibule)* • Refacing or replacing existing signs with minor alterations to existing signage (e.g., installing a new sign that is a similar size and style to what exists)* • Minor exterior building modifications (e.g., changing a window to a door)* • Minor exterior site modifications (e.g., installing a new bench and arbor or a new trash enclosure)* Modifications on Downtown properties may still require DR