Prior to the filing of a development application, the subdivider may submit to the Department of Community Development maps, plans, and other information concerning the proposed subdivision. The Department shall thereupon schedule a conference with the subdivider to provide information and recommendations regarding the subdivision design, grading, required improvements, and related matters. Such a prefiling conference is optional to the subdivider and shall not be a prerequisite to filing a tentative map.
(08-05)
Within 5 days of the filing of a tentative map, copies of the map shall be sent to all agencies as required by law for the opportunity to comment on such maps. In addition, copies of the tentative map shall be sent for comment to all utilities and similar service entities, which the Director deems may be affected by the proposed subdivision.
(08-05)
A. 
Submission of Information and Fees
The subdivider shall submit information as required by the Director sufficient to permit environmental review of the project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and local guidelines. The subdivider shall also pay all fees necessary for the completion of environmental review, including but not limited to, the preparation of an environmental impact report if required.
B. 
Mitigation Measures
As part of a proposed negative declaration, the City may, with the subdivider's consent, impose mitigation measures as conditions of approval on a tentative tract or parcel map in order to mitigate a project's environmental impacts to a level of insignificance.
(08-05)
A. 
Extension by Mutual Consent
The time limits specified in this chapter for reporting and acting on maps may be extended by mutual consent of the subdivider and the Director for good cause.
B. 
Use of Outside Consultant to Meet Time Limits
At the time the subdivider makes an application pursuant to this Article, the Director shall determine whether or not the City is able to meet the time limits specified in this chapter for reporting and action on maps. If the Director determines that such time limits cannot be met, the Director, upon request of the subdivider and for the purpose of meeting such limits, shall contract or employ a private consultant, person, or entity on a temporary basis to perform such services as necessary to permit the agency to meet such time limits.
C. 
Effects of Legislative Acts on Time Limits
When a tentative map is predicated on approval of other land use applications, including but not limited to general plan amendments, zone changes, conditional use permits, or variances, the subdivider shall agree to a waiver of the time frames. If a waiver is not forthcoming, the tentative map application may not be deemed complete until the necessary other land use applications are approved.
(08-05)
The Planning Commission shall have the authority to approve, conditionally approve, or deny tentative parcel maps. The City Council shall have the authority to approve, conditionally approve, or deny tentative tract maps.
(08-05)
A. 
Staff Report (66452.3)
After review and analysis of a tentative parcel or tract map, the Director shall forward a report, together with a recommendation of approval, approval subject to conditions, or denial, to the Planning Commission. Also, at least three days prior to any hearing or action on the tentative map, the staff report shall be sent to the subdivider, to each owner of the subject property if other than the subdivider, and, in the case of a proposed conversion of residential real property to a condominium, community apartment, or stock cooperative project, to each tenant of the subject property.
B. 
Tentative Parcel Map Action (66452.1, 66452.4, 66452.5, 66463)
1. 
Review Time Limits When No EIR Is Required
If the City determines that no environmental impact report (EIR) is required for review of a tentative parcel map, within 50 days of the adoption of a negative declaration or other determination that no EIR is required, the Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing to receive testimony and thereafter shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny the tentative parcel map unless a time extension is mutually agreed upon pursuant to this chapter.
2. 
Review Time Limits When an EIR Is Required
If an environmental impact report is prepared for the tentative parcel map, the preceding 50-day time period shall not commence to run until the date of certification of the environmental impact report as complete.
3. 
Public Hearings
Public hearings shall be noticed and held in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act and this Code.
4. 
Required Findings
In approving a tentative parcel map, the Planning Commission shall make all of the findings set forth in this chapter.
5. 
Approval by Inaction
If no action is taken upon a tentative parcel map by the Planning Commission within the time limits specified in this chapter or any authorized extension thereof and appropriate notice has been given by the subdivider or the City, the tentative parcel map as filed shall be deemed to be approved insofar as it complies with other applicable requirements of the Subdivision Map Act, this Code, and the General Plan. It shall be the duty of the City Clerk to certify said approval.
6. 
Appeal of Planning Commission Action
In accordance with the Subdivision Map Act, the subdivider or any other interested person may appeal any action of the Planning Commission with respect to a tentative parcel map to the City Council. Such appeal shall be filed with the City Clerk within 10 days after the action of the Planning Commission. Upon the filing of an appeal, the City Council shall set the matter for public hearing. The hearing shall be noticed in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act and this Code and shall be held within 30 days after filing of the appeal. Within 7 days following the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council shall render its decision on the appeal. If no decision is forthcoming within the time limits specified, then the last action taken shall stand.
C. 
Tentative Tract Map Recommendation (66452.1)
1. 
Review Time Limits When No EIR Is Required
If the City determines that no environmental impact report (EIR) is required for review of a tentative tract map, within 50 days of the adoption of a negative declaration or other determination that no EIR is required, the Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing to receive testimony, and thereafter shall forward a written report and recommendation on the tentative tract map to the City Council within such 50-day period unless a time extension is mutually agreed upon pursuant to this chapter.
2. 
Review Time Limits When an EIR Is Required
If an environmental impact report is prepared for the tentative parcel map, the preceding 50-day time period shall not commence to run until the date of certification of the environmental impact report as complete.
3. 
Public Hearings
Public hearings shall be noticed and held in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act and this Code.
(08-05)
A. 
Tentative Tract Map Action (66451.3, 66452.2)
Within 30 days after receipt of Planning Commission recommendations on a tentative tract map, the City Council shall hold a public hearing to receive testimony on the project. The Council shall then take final action to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the tentative tract map within such 30-day period unless a time extension is mutually agreed upon pursuant to this chapter. Public hearings shall be noticed and held in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act and this Code.
B. 
Required Findings
In approving a tentative tract map, the City Council shall make all of the findings set forth in this chapter.
C. 
Approval by Inaction (66452.4)
If no action is taken upon a tentative tract map by the City Council within the time limits specified in the Subdivision Map Act or any authorized extension thereof and appropriate notice has been given by the subdivider or the City, the tentative parcel map as filed shall be deemed to be approved insofar as it complies with other applicable requirements of the Subdivision Map Act, this Code, and the General Plan. It shall be the duty of the City Clerk to certify said approval.
(08-05)
In approving a tentative parcel map or tentative tract map, the decision-making body shall make all of the following findings:
A. 
That the proposed map or the design or improvement of the subdivision is consistent with the General Plan or any applicable specific plan, and with other applicable provisions of this Code.
B. 
That the site is physically suitable for the type and density of development.
C. 
That the design of the subdivision or the proposed improvements are not likely to cause substantial environmental damage nor substantially and avoidably injure fish or wildlife or their habitat. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, the decision-making body may nevertheless approve such a subdivision if a tentative map was prepared for the project and a finding was made that specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the environmental impact report.
D. 
That the design of the subdivision or the type of improvements is not likely to cause serious public health or safety problems.
E. 
That the design of the subdivision or the type of improvements will not conflict with easements, acquired by the public at large, for access through or use of, property within the proposed subdivision. In this connection, the decision-making body may approve a map if it finds that alternate easements, for access or for use, will be provided and that these easements will be substantially equivalent to ones previously acquired by the public. This subsection shall apply only to easements of record or to easements established by judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and no authority is hereby granted to the City Council to determine that the public at large has acquired easements for access through or use of property within the proposed subdivision.
F. 
That solar access and passive heating and cooling design requirements have been satisfied in accordance with Chapter 17.013.
G. 
That the subdivision balances the housing needs of the region against the public service needs of the City's residents and available fiscal and environmental resources.
H. 
That the discharge of waste from the proposed subdivision into the existing sewer system will not result in a violation of existing requirements of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
(08-05)
A. 
Regulations in Effect at Time Application Determined Complete
Except as otherwise provided in subsections B and C of this section, the decision-making body, in determining to approve or deny a tentative map application, shall apply only those ordinances, policies, and standards in effect on the date that the City determined that the application was complete pursuant to Chapter 17.010.
B. 
New Regulations Initiated Before Application Determined Complete
Subsection A of this section shall not apply if the City, prior to determining a tentative map application to be complete, has done both of the following:
1. 
Initiated proceedings by way of ordinance, resolution, or motion to amend this title, the General Plan, any applicable specific plan(s), or other City regulations; and
2. 
Published a public hearing notice containing a description sufficient to notify the public of the nature of the proposed change(s) to this Code, the General Plan, any applicable specific plan(s), or other City regulations.
If both conditions (1) and (2) preceding have been met, the City may apply any ordinances, policies, or standards enacted or instituted as a result of those proceedings which are in effect on the date the City approves or denies the tentative map.
C. 
Changes to Regulations Requested by the Subdivider
If the subdivision applicant requests changes to applicable ordinances, policies, or standards in connection with the same development project, any ordinances, policies, or standards adopted pursuant to the applicant's request shall apply.
(08-05)