A City Planning Commission is established and created under
and by the authority of the Government Code.
(Prior code § 2.26)
The City Attorney shall attend planning commission meetings
from time to time as requested by the Director of Community Development.
(Prior code § 2.27; 82-6; 95-06)
The Planning Commission enhances the quality of life of the
residents of Claremont through its review of and recommendation on
land use issues which preserve the residential character of Claremont
and the unique identities of Claremont's specific neighborhoods. The
Commission accomplishes this through: (1) planning for future land
uses which will serve the needs of the community; (2) fostering citizen
participation; (3) applying and reviewing General Plan goals, policies,
and codes, and other regulatory and policy documents. Additional consideration
is given to review of environmental impacts associated with development
to ensure protection of the environment.
A.
In implementing
this charge, the Planning Commission will:
1.
Be
a liaison between the community, applicants for development, and the
City government pertaining to planning matters.
2.
Review
and act on requests for development by individual residents, developers,
and City officials relative to local and regional planning issues.
3.
Biennially
review and identify planning issues in order to advise the City Council
on appropriate work plan items for incorporation into the City budget
and review the proposed capital improvement program for general plan
conformity.
B.
The
Planning Commission's responsibilities include:
1.
To
fulfill the mandate given the Commission by state law and the City
Council by this Code, the City's general plan, and other City ordinances;
2.
To
plan land uses with regard to the health, safety, convenience, and
general welfare of the residential population;
3.
To
encourage the preservation of the historic fabric and distinctive
character of the City and ensure that land use decisions have a positive
effect on the quality of the City's living environment;
4.
To
identify, preserve, enhance and strengthen the City's residential
neighborhoods through the development of appropriate land use regulations
and the appropriate application of said regulations on discretionary
land use matters;
5.
To
encourage the preservation of the hillsides and open areas and the
enhancement of recreational opportunities through land use decisions;
6.
To
anticipate community planning, environmental and development issues,
study alternatives and make recommendations to council;
7.
To
encourage citizen participation and serve as an independent vehicle
for citizen input and discussion of community values on land use and
development matters;
8.
To
make decisions on land use and development projects which enhance
the quality of life by keeping in balance the physical, social and
economic elements of the community while respecting the rights and
duties of property owners;
9.
To
utilize the various standards outlined in Title 16 of the Claremont
Municipal Code when reviewing development proposals to ensure that
all new development is of such a quality, design, and type that would
meet the goals, policies and actions outlined in the City's general
plan and any other regulatory or policy documents;
10.
To foster communication between applicants for development and the
community, and when necessary mediate between competing interests;
11.
To identify, consider and mitigate the environmental impacts of projects
and proposals;
12.
To ensure that land use decisions preserve the City as an educational
and cultural center;
13.
To ensure that no land use decision diminishes the quality of the
City's circulation system by requiring any necessary upgrades that
would offset a development's transportation/circulation impacts;
14.
To encourage the conservation of natural resources and energy by
way of site orientation, enhancements and upgrades to the various
local infrastructure components, and compliance with City transportation
demand measures through land use decisions;
15.
To encourage economic development which is compatible with surrounding
neighborhoods and increases shopping choices in Claremont;
16.
To encourage industrial development which is compatible with surrounding
neighborhoods and increases job opportunities in Claremont;
17.
To recommend housing strategies which provide opportunities for all
income groups in Claremont with emphasis on providing housing for
citizens of low and moderate incomes;
18.
To monitor and make recommendations on regional plans and projects;
and,
19.
To maintain and update the City's general plan and municipal code
as directed by the City Council and state law.
(Prior code § 2.28; 95-06; 97-10)
