Chapter 20.62
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Sections:
20.62.020 Notice of Public Hearing.
20.62.010 Purpose.
This chapter provides procedures for public hearings required by this Zoning Code. When a public hearing is required, advance notice of the hearing shall be given and the hearing shall be conducted in compliance with this chapter. (Ord. 2010-21 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2010)
20.62.020 Notice of Public Hearing.
This section provides notice requirements for project applications requiring a public hearing.
A. Content of Notice. Notice of a public hearing shall include all of the following applicable information.
1. Hearing Information.
a. The date, time, and place of the hearing and the name of the review authority;
b. A brief description of the City’s general procedure concerning the conduct of hearings and decisions (e.g., the public’s right to appear and be heard);
c. The phone number, street address, and website of the City, where an interested person could call or visit to obtain additional information;
d. A statement that an interested person or authorized agent may appear and be heard at the public hearing and the procedures for appeal; and
e. A statement that if a person challenges the subject project in court, that person may be limited to raising only those issues that the person, or someone else speaking on their behalf, raised at the public hearing (described in the notice) or in written correspondence delivered to the City at, or before, the public hearing.
2. Project Information.
a. The name of the applicant;
b. The City’s file number(s) assigned to the application;
c. A general explanation of the matter to be considered;
d. A general description, in text and/or by diagram, of the location of the property that is the subject of the hearing; and
e. If a negative declaration or Environmental Impact Report has been prepared for the project in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the local CEQA guidelines, the hearing notice shall include a statement that the review authority will also consider approval or recommend approval of the negative declaration or certification of the Environmental Impact Report.
B. Method of Notice Distribution. Notice of a public hearing required by this Zoning Code shall be given as specified below.
1. Publication. Notice for all matters shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City at least ten (10) days before the scheduled hearing.
2. Mailing. Notice shall be mailed or delivered at least ten (10) days before the scheduled hearing to all of the following:
a. Project Site Owners and Applicant. The owners of the property being considered in the application, or the owners’ agent, and the applicant or the applicant’s agent;
b. Local Agencies. Each local agency expected to provide schools, water, or other essential facilities or services to the project, whose ability to provide the facilities and services may be significantly affected;
c. Nearby Property Owners. All owners of property located within a three hundred (300) foot radius, excluding intervening rights-of-way and waterways, of the exterior boundaries of the subject lot, as shown on the last equalized assessment roll or, alternatively, from other records that contain more recent addresses. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to obtain and provide to the Department the names and addresses of all owners required by this section. If the number of property owners to whom notice would be mailed in compliance with this section is more than one thousand (1,000), in lieu of mailed notice, the Director may choose to publish a one-eighth page display advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation within the City;
d. Persons Requesting Notice. A person who has filed a written request for notice with the Director and has paid the required fee for the notice; and
3. Posting of a Sign and Notice. Notice shall be posted on or close to the subject property in a prominent location at least ten (10) days before the scheduled public hearing in the following manner:
a. One or more signs shall be posted as determined by the Director.
b. The size and location of the sign(s) shall be as determined by the Director.
c. The project applicant shall be responsible for maintaining the sign(s) in a satisfactory condition.
d. The project applicant shall remove all sign(s) at the end of the appeal period.
4. Additional Notice. The Director may provide additional notice of the hearing in any other manner deemed necessary.
5. Failure to Receive Notice. The failure of any person or entity to receive notice given in compliance with this section shall not invalidate the actions of the applicable review authority. (Ord. 2020-19 §§ 2, 3, 2020; Ord. 2010-21 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2010)
20.62.030 Hearing Procedure.
A. Time and Place of Hearing. A hearing shall be held at the date, time, and place for which notice was given.
B. Continued Hearing. A hearing may be continued without further notice, provided the official or chair of the review authority announces the date, time, and place to which the hearing will be continued before the adjournment or recess of the hearing.
C. Deferral of Final Decision. The review authority may announce a tentative decision and defer their action on a final decision until appropriate findings and/or conditions of approval have been prepared. (Ord. 2010-21 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2010)
20.62.040 Decision.
A. Decision.
1. The review authority may announce and record their decision on the matter being considered at the conclusion of a scheduled hearing, or defer action and continue the matter to a later meeting in compliance with Section 20.62.030 (Hearing Procedure).
2. The Director or Zoning Administrator, as applicable, may instead refer the matter to the Commission for a decision.
B. Effective Date of Decision.
1. The decision of the applicable review authority is final and effective at the end of the appeal period.
2. The decision of the Council shall be final on the date the decision is made unless otherwise specified in the adopting ordinance or resolution. (Ord. 2010-21 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2010)