The planning director is authorized and directed to carry out the duties assigned by this title, including, but not limited to, the following:
A. 
Investigate each tentative parcel map filed pursuant to this chapter and indicate by written report the kind, nature and extent of improvements required to be installed on or to serve the land to be subdivided.
B. 
Obtain the recommendations of the city engineer and the director of public health, or their authorized representatives, with respect to the design of the proposed subdivision and the kind, nature, and extent of the proposed improvements, and the city fire marshal, with respect to fire control measures and improvements, and other city departments, governmental agencies, or special districts as may be deemed appropriate or necessary by the planning director in order to carry out the provisions of this title.
C. 
Approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove tentative parcel maps, and report, as provided in this chapter, the planning director's approval, conditional approval, or disapproval, directly to the subdivider.
D. 
Waive the requirement for filing and recordation of a parcel map for certain subdivisions as provided for in this title.
The responsibilities of the city council, pursuant to Sections 66473.5, 66474, 66474.1, and 66474.6 of the Government Code, are assigned to the planning director with respect to those tentative parcel maps filed pursuant to this chapter.
Within five working days after a tentative parcel map has been filed, the planning director shall transmit copies of the map, together with accompanying information, to such public agencies and public and private utilities as the planning director determines may be concerned. Each of the public agencies and utilities may, within ten working days after the map has been sent to such agency, forward to the planning director a written report of its findings and recommendations thereon.
A. 
Time for Consideration. Within fifty calendar days after a tentative parcel map is filed, the planning director shall approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove such map. The time limit specified in this subsection may be extended by mutual consent of the subdivider and the planning director; however, in no case shall this time period exceed one year from the filing date. If the tentative parcel map is disapproved, the reasons therefore shall be stated in the notice of disapproval.
B. 
Preliminary Decision and Request for Review.
1. 
The subdivider shall be notified of the planning director's preliminary decision to conditionally approve or disapprove a tentative parcel map, along with the conditions of conditional approval or the reasons for disapproval, within forty days after the tentative parcel map is filed. If the subdivider is dissatisfied with such preliminary decision or with any condition pertaining thereto, he or she may request in writing that such preliminary decision be reviewed. Such request must be received by the planning director within ten calendar days after the date of the preliminary decision, but in no case later than forty-nine calendar days after the tentative parcel map is filed.
2. 
Upon receipt within the time prescribed of the written request for review of a preliminary decision, the planning director shall arrange a time and place for such review and shall notify the subdivider and appropriate city departments and agencies thereof. In the event that a review cannot be arranged or completed prior to fifty days after the tentative parcel map is filed, the request to extend for review shall be deemed to constitute consent of the subdivider to extend for a reasonable period the time limit in which the planning director must approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the tentative parcel map. After completion of the review, the planning director shall render his or her final approval, conditional approval or disapproval of the tentative parcel map as provided in this section.
3. 
In the event no written request for review is received within the time prescribed, the preliminary decision shall become final and the subdivider shall be notified as provided in this section.
C. 
Notice. The subdivider shall be informed of the preliminary decision and of the final decision of the planning director by written notice. Notice shall be deemed to have been given upon deposit of the notice in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid.
The planning director shall not approve a tentative parcel map under any of the following circumstances.
A. 
The land proposed for division is a lot or parcel which is shown on a plat or map as described in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection and which was approved or recorded less than one year prior to the filing for approval of the subject tentative parcel map, except that the division of any lot or parcel into not more than two lots for financing purposes only may be approved within the one-year period.
1. 
A parcel map approved pursuant to this title and recorded in the office of the county recorder; or
2. 
An approved tentative parcel map wherein the parcel map requirement was waived pursuant to provisions of this title and a certificate of compliance has been filed with the county recorder pursuant to Chapter 16.20 of this title.
B. 
The land proposed for division is a lot or parcel created illegally, unless the lot or parcel has been approved by the planning director, or, on appeal, by the city council, pursuant to Chapter 16.20, and a certificate of compliance relative thereto has been filed with the county recorder.
C. 
The subdivision proposes creation of five or more lots.
D. 
The planning director finds that the tentative parcel map does not meet the requirements of this title.
E. 
The planning director makes any of the following findings:
1. 
That the proposed map is not consistent with applicable general and specific plans.
2. 
That the design or improvement of the proposed subdivision is not consistent with the applicable general and specific plans.
3. 
That the site is not physically suitable for the type of development.
4. 
That the site is not physically suitable for the proposed density of development.
5. 
That the design of the subdivision or the proposed improvements are likely to cause substantial environmental damage or substantially and avoidably injure fish or wildlife or their habitat.
6. 
That the design of the subdivision or the type of improvements is likely to cause serious public health problems.
7. 
That the design of the subdivision or the type of improvements will conflict with easements of record or easements established by court judgment, acquired by the public at large, for access through or use of, property within the proposed subdivision. In this connection, the planning director may approve a map if he or she finds that alternate easements, for access or for use, will be provided, and that these will be substantially equivalent to ones previously acquired by the public.
Whenever the planning director, or, on appeal, the planning commission or city council finds, with respect to a tentative parcel map, that the land to be divided is of such size or shape, or is subject to such title limitations of record, or is affected by such topographical conditions, or is in such location, or is to be devoted to such usage that it is impossible or impractical in the particular case for the subdivider to conform fully to the requirements of this title, the planning director, or on appeal, the planning commission or city council may waive or modify such requirements as deemed reasonably necessary; provided, however, any such waiver or modification shall be in conformity with the spirit and purpose of this title.
A. 
The planning commission is designated as the appeal board referred to in Section 66452.5 of the Government Code. Where the subdivider is dissatisfied with any action of the planning director with respect to a tentative parcel map or adjustment plat, he or she may appeal to the planning commission, and the subdivider or the planning director may appeal to the city council from any action of the planning commission as provided in Section 66452.5 of the Government Code.
B. 
Any interested person may appeal to the planning commission or city council from any decision of the planning director made relative to the responsibilities assigned to him or her in Section 16.16.370. Any such appellant shall be entitled to the same notice and rights regarding testimony as apply to the subdivider under Section 66452.5 of the Government Code.
C. 
An appeal filed pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by a written statement disclosing the following information:
1. 
The names of all persons having an interest in the application, as well as the names of all persons having the ownership interest in the property involved.
2. 
If any person identified pursuant to subdivision 1 of this subsection is a corporation or partnership, the names of all persons owning more than ten percent of the shares in the corporation or owning any partnership interest in the partnership.
3. 
If any person identified pursuant to subdivision 1 of this subsection is a nonprofit organization or a trust, the names of any person serving as director of the nonprofit organization or as trustee or beneficiary or trustor of the trust.