Division II. Administrative Provisions
Chapter 20.10
ADMINISTRATION
Sections:
20.10.030 Development services department.
20.10.050 Site plan review committee – SPRC.
20.10.060 Planning commission.
20.10.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish and prescribe the basic duties and operating procedures for the administration and enforcement of this code. (See Section 20.10.080, City council.)
20.10.030 Development services department.
A. The development services department shall have the following authority and responsibilities:
1. Receive and process, according to the appropriate processing Level (I, II, III, IV, V, or VI), all applications for development authorizations for building, plumbing and mechanical permits, sign permits, site plan review, conditional use permits, special use permits, variances, rezones, annexations, utility extension agreements, subdivisions, short plats, right-of-way permits, street vacations, home occupations, business registration cards, moving permits, and all other applications required by this code;
2. Issue development authorizations and permits;
3. Provide staff support to the planning commission on all long range planning matters, proposed comprehensive plan and implementing code amendments, and all other proposals for which the planning commission is the reviewing body;
4. Provide staff support to the hearing examiner on all variance, conditional use, special use, interpretation matters, appeals, and all other proposals for which the hearing examiner is the reviewing body with recommendation to the city council;
5. Provide staff support to the city council;
6. Receive and process complaints applicable to this code;
7. Immediately update the Official Zoning Map to accurately reflect any amendments made by official action of the city council;
8. Maintain the official index of all permits and approvals under this code;
9. Coordinate all development activity to insure that an applicant receives all necessary input from this and all other city departments sharing an involvement with the proposal. (Ord. 2008-06 § 19, 2008).
20.10.040 Director.
A. The director shall be the administrative official of the development services department. The director shall have the following authority and responsibilities:
1. To oversee all duties and responsibilities of the development services department and to determine the appropriate processing level of each application;
2. To act as chair of the site plan review committee, coordinating their review process;
3. To recommend to the planning commission and city council sound planning and development activities or policies;
4. To enforce the provisions of this title or to designate such employees, representatives or officers to act on his behalf in the enforcement of this title under such control and supervision as the director may specify;
5. To interpret this title;
6. To perform any other function or duty authorized or assigned to the director by the Walla Walla Municipal Code, council ordinance or resolution or the city manager.
B. Decisions of the director made under authority of this title may be appealed only as provided in this title. (Ord. 2016-03 § 8, 2016).
20.10.050 Site plan review committee – SPRC.
A. The site plan review committee (SPRC) shall review certain types of land development in order to promote the public health, safety and welfare of the community. The site plan review committee shall have the following responsibilities:
1. To act as the environmental review body, in an advisory role to the responsible official, for review of environmental considerations required by SEPA;
2. To examine certain land development proposals through a comprehensive site plan review process.
B. The specific details related to the site plan review committee and its review process are set forth in Chapter 20.46, Site Plan Review Committee.
C. Decisions of the site plan review committee shall be given the effect of a recommendation to the appropriate approving authority.
20.10.060 Planning commission.
A. The planning commission is established in Chapter 2.25 of the Walla Walla Municipal Code as authorized by RCW 35A.63.020. The commission serves as a citizen advisory group to the city council on long range planning and legislative code matters.
B. Decisions and recommendations of the planning commission shall have the effect of a recommendation to the Walla Walla city council. (Ord. 2008-06 § 20, 2008).
20.10.070 Hearing examiner.
A. The hearing examiner is established to hear and decide upon conditional use permit requests, variance requests, nonconforming use requests, special use permit requests, certain appeals, subdivision preliminary plats except planned unit development requests, and requests for site specific amendments to the Official Zoning Map.
1. The hearing examiner, a hearing examiner pro tempore, and such substitute hearing examiner or examiners, who may be necessary, may be appointed by the Walla Walla city manager upon such terms and conditions as may be ratified by the Walla Walla city council.
2. Any matters shall be heard and decided by one hearing examiner.
B. Decisions of the hearing examiner upon conditional use permit requests, variance requests, nonconforming use requests, special use permit requests, and appeals, shall have the effect of a final decision of the Walla Walla city council, and may be appealed to the Superior Court of Washington for Walla Walla County as set forth in Chapter 20.38, Closed Record Decisions and Appeals.
C. Decisions of the hearing examiner upon subdivision preliminary plats, site-specific amendments to the Official Zoning Map shall have the effect of a recommendation to the Walla Walla city council.
D. The hearing examiner system is adopted pursuant to RCW 35A.63.170. (Ord. 2008-06 § 21, 2008).
20.10.080 City council.
As the legislative body for the city of Walla Walla, the city council shall have the following authority and duties associated with this code:
A. Make the final legislative decision on amendments to the Zoning Code, Subdivision Code, Shoreline Master Program, Critical Areas Code, and the Comprehensive Plan.
B. Make the final legislative decision on street vacations, pre-zones, and annexations.
C. Make the final quasi-judicial decision on preliminary and final subdivision plans, shoreline substantial development permits, and site-specific amendments to the Official Zoning Map.
D. Perform any other act or duty authorized by law. (Ord. 2008-06 § 22, 2008).