The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the City's implementation
of the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
and the procedures, regulations and other provisions set forth in
the State CEQA Guidelines. The basic approach of the city and this
chapter is that procedures, regulations and provisions of the State
CEQA Guidelines are sufficiently detailed and definite so that they
can be, and should be, directly utilized by the City under the administration
of the Environmental Coordinator, as the primary document and source
for the City's environmental review of discretionary projects. Accordingly,
the provisions of this chapter are minimal and to a large extent procedural,
and are to be considered and read only in conjunction with the State
CEQA Guidelines and CEQA. In the event of any conflict between the
provisions of this chapter and CEQA or the State CEQA Guidelines,
the provisions of CEQA and the Guidelines shall control and be utilized.
(Ord. 2629 § 1, 1987)
An applicant shall reimburse the City for any and all costs
incurred in the preparation of reports, information, and other analyses
required by this chapter or State law. Deposits by an applicant against
estimated costs may be required. The City Council shall establish
by resolution a schedule of fees which shall be charged for activities
undertaken pursuant to this chapter.
(Ord. 2629 § 1, 1987)
Whenever any procedure under this chapter requires a public hearing, or whenever the Planning Commission or City Council, in its discretion, determines to hold a public hearing on any environmental matter before it, such hearing shall be held within a reasonable time, and notice shall be given as provided in Section
17-04.050.
(Ord. 2629 § 1, 1987)
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms are defined
as set forth below, as follows, unless the context clearly requires
otherwise and except to the extent that any definition may conflict
with CEQA or the State CEQA Guidelines. The definitions contained
in the State CEQA Guidelines are incorporated herein by reference.
"Advisory agency"
means any officer, board, agency, department or commission
required by law to consider the project, but which does not render
a final decision on the project.
"CEQA"
means the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as
amended.
"Decision-making body"
means the official, board, commission or other body having
authority to grant final City approval of a project, in the absence
of an appeal, or, in the event of an appeal, the appellate body.
"Environmental coordinator"
means the Director of Community Development and such other
persons within the Department as may be designated as the Environmental
Coordinator by the Director. The Environmental Coordinator has the
authority and responsibility for the administration of the requirements
of this chapter, the State CEQA Guidelines, and CEQA.
"EIR"
means environmental impact report.
"Lead city agency"
means that department, office or agency of the City to which
the City Manager has assigned principal responsibility for carrying
out a project or for processing the application for a project.
(Ord. 2629 § 1, 1987)