Pursuant to Government Code Section 65100, a planning commission is created. Except as otherwise provided, the city council delegates authority to the planning commission as follows:
(a) 
The planning commission may act as the city's planning agency in accordance with Government Code Section 6500, et seq.
(b) 
The planning commission must receive and expeditiously act on all assignments made by city council resolution or minute order.
(c) 
The planning commission may make recommendations to the city council regarding land use regulations including, without limitation, amendments to the General Plan or this code.
(d) 
The planning commission may administer Title 21 of this code as specified.
(Prior code § 2300; Ord. 2181 § 2, 2020)
Notwithstanding any other regulation in this chapter, the city council will act as the city's planning agency as follows:
(a) 
By resolution for any particular project or land use consideration.
(b) 
For all public projects requiring findings of General Plan consistency in accordance with Government Code Section 65402.
(c) 
For all projects requiring a zone change; zone map amendment; or development agreement.
(d) 
For any project appealed to the city council from the planning commission.
(Ord. 2181 § 2, 2020)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65100, a design review board is created to advise the planning commission or city council as follows:
(a) 
For projects referred to it by the city planner, the planning commission, or the city council, the design review board will:
(1) 
Recommend to the planning commission regarding the design of new buildings and structures and modifications to existing buildings and structures and façades, signage, landscaping, open space, pedestrian walkways and appurtenances, and the use of colors, materials, and construction requirements.
(2) 
Advise the planning commission regarding high quality design standards in buildings and development projects to conserve the value of buildings, encourage the most appropriate use of land and maintain a proper relationship between the taxable value of real property and cost of providing municipal services.
(b) 
On an annual basis, or as requested by the city planner, the planning commission, or the city council, the design review board will:
(1) 
Recommend methods to the planning commission for implementing the interdependence of land values and aesthetics to abet excellence of development of property and maintenance of values of surrounding properties.
(2) 
Recommend to the planning commission reasonable controls over the character and design of private building, structures and open spaces to ensure that public benefits from use of public funds for streets and public facilities are protected.
(c) 
Receive and expeditiously act on all assignments made by the city council or planning commission.
(Ord. 2181 § 2, 2020)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, members of the design review board may either be residents of the city or persons maintaining a business license in the city. It is recommended members have a background as an architect, planner, landscape architect, civil engineer building contractor, or a practicing licensed electrician.
(Ord. 2181 § 2, 2020)