A.
Purpose. This chapter sets forth the provisions, conditions, procedures and fees administering the adopted Happy Valley Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. This chapter establishes decision-making procedures that enable the City, the applicant and the public to reasonably review applications and participate in the local decision-making process in a timely and effective way. Table 16.61.010-1 provides a key for determining the review procedure and the decision-making body for specific applications and decisions.
B.
Review Procedures. All land use and development permit applications and approvals described in Title 16, except building permits and final plat reviews, shall be decided by using the procedures contained in this chapter. The procedure "type" assigned to an application governs the decision-making process for that permit or approval. There are eight types of permit/approval procedures: Types I, II, II-DR, III-PC, III-PC/CC, III-DRB, III-HO and IV. These procedures are described in subsections 1 through 6 below. Table 16.61.010 lists all of the City's land use and development approvals and the required review procedure(s).
1.
Type I Procedure (Administrative). A Type I decision is made by the Planning Official or designee, without public notice and without a public hearing. The Type I procedure is used when there are clear and objective approval criteria and applying City standards and criteria does not require the use of discretion.
2.
Type II Procedure (Administrative). A Type II decision is made by the Planning Official or person designated by the Planning Official following public notice. Appeal of a Type II decision is heard by the Hearings Officer.
3.
Type II-DR Procedure (Administrative). A Type II-DR decision is made by the Planning Official or person designated by the Planning Official following public notice. Appeal of a Type II-DR decision is heard by the Hearings Officer (with assistance from contract architect).
4.
Type III-PC Procedure (Quasi-Judicial). A Type III-PC decision is made by the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, or Hearings Officer at a public hearing, with appeals reviewed by the City Council. Certain types of Planning Commission Type III decisions (see Table 16.61.010-1) are a recommendation to the City Council.
5.
Type III-PC/CC Procedure (Quasi-Judicial). A Type III-PC/CC decision (e.g., Land Use/Comprehensive Plan Map Amendments under the City's "one-map" system 20 acres or above) is considered initially by the Planning Commission which makes a recommendation to the City Council.
6.
Type III-DRB and Type III-HO Procedures (Quasi-Judicial). A Type III-DRB decision is made by the Design Review Board after a public hearing. A Type III-HO decision is made by the Hearings Officer. Appeal of a Type III-DRB or Type III-HO decision is heard by the City Council.
7.
Type IV Procedure (Legislative). Type IV procedures apply to legislative matters. Legislative matters involve the creation, revision, or large-scale implementation of public policy initiated by the City (e.g., adoption of Comprehensive Plan amendments, adoption of ancillary documents to the Comprehensive Plan, land use regulations, government initiated changes to the Comprehensive Plan map/land use district map, etc.). Except for an expedited annexation, a Type IV decision is considered initially by the Planning Commission which makes a recommendation to the City Council. The final decision is made by the City Council.
C.
Official Action. All officials, departments, commissions and employees of the City vested with the authority to make decisions regarding the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, or issue permits, certificates or licenses, shall adhere to and require conformance with all applicable sections of all plans, codes and regulations with regard to land use in the City.
D.
Interpretation of this Chapter. In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be construed as the minimum requirement for all promotion of the public safety, health, peace and general welfare. It is not intended by this chapter to interfere with or annul any other covenants or agreements between private parties. However, from the effective date of this Land Development Code, all divisions and development of land shall conform to this chapter. When this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises or upon the height of buildings, or requires larger space than is imposed or required by other codes, ordinances, rules, regulations, covenants or agreements, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.
E.
Conditional Approval. The following limitations apply to conditional approval of an application for a land use or limited land use permit:
1.
Conditions shall be fulfilled within the time limits set forth in the approval.
2.
The review authority may impose such conditions as it deems necessary to ensure compliance with the Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Code and other applicable review criteria including conditions necessary to insure the construction of transportation facilities described in the transportation system plan.
3.
A request for modifications of conditions may, at the City's discretion, be processed as a new land use action.
4.
The City may require a guarantee or agreement, or both, between the City and the owner, and any contract purchasers.
5.
The City may refuse to grant approval for a development on land if a prior permit of any kind on the same land has not been complied with.
6.
Unless otherwise noted in the conditions of approval, the applicant or its successors and assigns shall bear the entire expense of compliance with the conditions imposed.
7.
The City may delay surface work (except for surveying and staking) on land if the City finds a danger of uncontrollable erosion exists, in the City's opinion, that cannot be adequately controlled by present erosion control methods. No surface work other than surveying and staking on land having slopes of more than 15% shall be permitted during the months of November through April, inclusive.
F.
Legislative Comment. The City has experienced land washouts, flooding of downhill sites, turbidity of streams and damage to downhill properties as a result of surface work on land during heavy precipitation and during the months of November through April despite the best of erosion control measures. The City does not want to unreasonably delay development, but finds that controls on surface work are necessary in an effort to prevent the conditions described in this legislative comment. The City further notes that it has adopted the most recent iteration of the "Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Plan Technical Guidance Handbook" produced by Clackamas County. These erosion control measures represent latest efforts for erosion control, and although they have been applied in Happy Valley there have still been erosion control problems.
G.
Noncompliance. A violation of the provisions of this chapter or failure to comply with any conditions of approval are subject to the enforcement and violations provisions provided in Chapter 16.13. The City may withhold a certificate of occupancy until such time as the use or development is consistent with this chapter, including any conditions of approval required to assure compliance with this chapter.
Table 16.61.010-1 Summary of Approvals by Type of Review Procedure | ||
|---|---|---|
Approvals1 | Review Procedures | General Applicable Regulations (not an exclusive list for crafting findings) |
Annexation (non-expedited) | Type IV | Chapter 16.67 |
Annexation (expedited) | Type IV 3 | Chapter 16.67 |
Code Interpretation | Type I/II (Depending on Discretion) | Chapter 16.68 |
Comprehensive Plan Map/Land Use District Map Amendment | Less than 20 acres (applicant initiated): Type III-PC 20 acres or above (applicant initiated): Type III-PC-CC City initiated: Type IV | Chapter 16.67, Comprehensive Plan |
Conditional Use Permit | Type III-PC | Chapter 16.64 |
Design Review—Minor | Type I | Chapter 16.622 |
Design Review—Minor | Type II-PO | Chapter 16.622 |
Design Review—Minor | Type II-HO | Chapter 16.622 |
Design Review—Major | Type III-DRB | Chapter 16.622 |
Home Occupation Permit | Type III-HO | Section 16.69.020 |
Lot Line Adjustments and Lot Consolidations, including Re-Plat | Type I | Chapter 16.63 |
Lot of Record Determination | Type I/II (Depending on Discretion) | Chapter 16.72 |
Master Planned Development (Preliminary) | Type III-PC | Chapter 16.65 |
Master Planned Development (Final) | Type II | |
Modification to Approval | ||
Minor | Type I/II | Chapter 16.66 |
Major | Same as Approval Being Modifed | |
Environmental Review Permit | ||
Steep Slopes Development Overlay Zone | Type I/II | |
Historic Properties Overlay Zone | Type I/II | |
Natural Resources Overlay Zone | Type I/II | |
Flood Management Overlay Zone | Type I/II | |
Environmental Review Permit | Type II | |
Nonconforming Use or Development Confirmation | Type I/II (Depending on Discretion) | Chapter 16.72 |
Partition (2 - 3 lots) | Type II | Chapter 16.63 |
Planned Unit Development (4—9 lots) | Type II | Chapter 16.63 |
Planned Unit Development (10— 49 lots) | Type III-HO | Chapter 16.63 |
Planned Unit Development (50 lots or larger) | Type III-PC | Chapter 16.63 |
Plat or Easement Vacation or RePlat | Type I | Chapter 16.63 |
Sign Permit | Type I | Chapter 16.45 |
Public Right-of-Way Vacation | Type IV3 | Chapter 16.63 |
Subdivision (4—9 lots) | Type II | Chapter 16.63 |
Subdivision (10—49 lots) | Type III-HO | Chapter 16.63 |
Subdivision (50 lots or larger) | Type III-PC | Chapter 16.63 |
Temporary Use Permit | Type I | Section 16.69.010 |
Text Amendment | Type III-PC/CC/IV | Chapter 16.67 |
Tree Removal | ||
Class B | Type I | Section 16.42.050 |
Variance | ||
Class B | Type II | Section 16.71.040 |
Class C | Type III-PC | Section 16.71.050 |
NOTES: | |
|---|---|
1 | The applicant may be required to obtain approvals from other agencies, such as a road authority or sewer district for some types of approvals. The City notifies agencies of applications that may affect their facilities or services. |
2 | For an explanation of the design benchmarks delineating these types of reviews, see Table 16.62.020-1. |
3 | The expediated Type IV review shall be sent directly to the City Council for review and shall not be considered by the Planning Commission. |
(Ord. 389 § 1(Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 406 § 1, 2010; Ord. 427 § 1, 2012; Ord. 501 § 1, 2016; Ord. 521 § 3, 2017; Ord. 526 § 1, 2017; Ord. 539 § 1, 2018; Ord. 582, 3/19/2024)