The purpose of this chapter is to provide a simplified procedure to allow for the removal of previously approved parcel lines and the merger of contiguous parcels under common ownership at the request of the property owner, pursuant to Section 66499.20-3/4 of the Government Code. The procedure provided by this chapter is an alternative to the procedures provided by Chapters 14.20, 14.24 and 14.28. Nothing stated in this title shall be construed to prevent an applicant from filing a tentative map, a final map or a parcel map for any merger.
(Ord. 185 § 1, 1998)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 66499.20-3/4, the planning director is authorized to approve the merger requested by the property owner of contiguous parcels under common ownership without reversion to acreage, upon making the findings and utilizing the procedures set forth in this chapter.
(Ord. 185 § 1, 1998)
A. 
An application for a merger pursuant to this chapter shall be filed with the planning director and shall include the following information, materials and documents:
1. 
Drawings specifying the location of the existing lots, the proposed merger and the boundaries and dimensions of the proposed new lot;
2. 
A legal description satisfactory to the town engineer;
3. 
Such additional information as the planning director may require pursuant to Sections 14.20.040(C) and 14.20.060 considering the magnitude of the adjustment; its relation to existing buildings, structures and landscaping; the present use and zoning of the property; location and extent of public improvements; its relation to adopted plans for the area; and compliance with the Subdivision Map Act or other ordinances and plans of the town.
B. 
The application shall be accompanied by a filing fee established by resolution of the town council.
(Ord. 185 § 1 (part) 1998)
A. 
The procedures for reviewing lot line adjustments shall apply to applications pursuant to this chapter to merge contiguous parcels under common ownership.
B. 
Planning Director Hearing and Action. The notice and hearing requirements for lot line adjustments shall apply to merger applications pursuant to this chapter.
(Ord. 185 § 1, 1998)
The planning director shall not approve any merger of parcels pursuant to this chapter unless it makes all of the following findings:
A. 
That all existing streets and/or utility easements of record are reserved;
B. 
That the resulting parcel conforms to the requirements of this chapter, the town's general plan, the town's comprehensive zoning ordinance, and the town's building code and all other applicable laws.
(Ord. 185 § 1, 1998)
A. 
The applicant or any interested person affected by any planning director action on a merger of contiguous parcels under common ownership may appeal that decision to the planning commission. The procedures governing appeals of planning director actions on lot line adjustments, Section 14.12.050, shall govern appeals of decisions on mergers made pursuant to this chapter.
B. 
The decision of the planning commission on an appeal of the planning director's decision on a merger of contiguous parcels under common ownership may be appealed to the town council at any time within ten days after the decision of the planning commission. The procedures governing appeals of planning commission action on tentative map applications, contained in Section 14.20.110, shall govern appeals of planning commission decisions on appeals of planning director's decisions on mergers of contiguous parcels under common ownership.
(Ord. 185 § 1, 1998)