This Chapter describes the authority and responsibilities of City staff and official bodies in the administration of this Zoning Code, in addition to the Council.
(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004)
The functions of a Planning Agency shall be performed by the Santa Rosa City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review and Preservation Board, Zoning Administrator, Director of Planning and Economic Development, and the Planning Division of the City's Planning and Economic Development Department, in compliance with Title 2 of the City Code. Each shall perform Planning Agency functions as assigned or delegated by the Council.
(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2025-003, 2/25/2025)
The Santa Rosa City Council, referred to in this Zoning Code as the Council, shall perform the duties and functions identified in this Zoning Code in matters related to the City's planning process.
(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004)
A.
Appointments. The Council shall appoint members of the Planning Commission and DRPB as follows:
1.
Each Council member shall appoint one member of the Commission ("appointee"), whose term shall coincide with the term of the appointing Council member.
2.
The full Council shall appoint each member of the DRPB, whose term shall be indicated by the full Council, or until a successor has been appointed, pursuant to Council Policy 000-06.
3.
Each appointee shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing Council member or full Council.
4.
All appointees shall be residents of the City at all times during their respective terms.
5.
No appointee shall be an officer or employee of the City.
B.
Removal of appointee. Removal of an appointee by the appointing Council member shall only occur at a Council meeting and shall be recorded in the minutes of that meeting.
(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2025-003, 2/25/2025)
A.
Establishment. The seven-member Santa Rosa Planning Commission, referred to in this Zoning Code as the Commission, is hereby established in compliance with City Code Section 2-12.010.
B.
Rules for transaction of business and records.
1.
The Commission may adopt rules and procedures for the purpose of implementing City ordinances, Council policies relating to planning matters, and this Zoning Code and for the purpose of conducting the business and exercising the powers of the Commission.
2.
The Commission shall keep a public record of all determinations, findings, resolutions, and transactions.
3.
A summary of all pertinent evidence offered at a public hearing and the names of persons testifying shall be recorded and made a part of the permanent Commission file.
C.
Terms of office. Each member of the Commission shall be appointed for a term that coincides with the term of the appointing Council member, in compliance with Section 2-12.020 of the City Code.
D.
Regular meetings. The Commission shall schedule at least two regular meetings each month. The meetings shall be held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the City Hall.
E.
Organization.
1.
Appointment of Chairperson. The Mayor shall appoint the Chairperson of the Commission, with the concurrence of the Council, prior to the first regular annual meeting of the Commission in January. The term of the Chairperson shall expire upon the appointment of a replacement in compliance with this schedule, or upon the appointment of a new Chairperson. The Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Commission and shall represent the Commission at functions and perform other duties as are appropriate or as may be assigned by the Commission or the Council.
2.
Election of Vice-Chairperson. The Commission shall annually elect a Vice-Chairperson from its membership at its first regular meeting in January. The term of the Vice-Chairperson shall expire upon the election of a replacement in compliance with this schedule, or upon the election of a new Vice Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson shall preside at meetings and perform the duties of the Chairperson in the Chairperson's absence.
F.
Authority and duties. The Commission shall have the authority to perform the duties and functions identified by Section 20-50.020, Table 5-1 (Review Authority).
G.
Quorum.
1.
Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
2.
A member who is present, but is disqualified from participating in a matter, shall not be counted in determining whether a quorum is present for that matter.
3.
For all recommendations on legislative acts and decisions on Variances, four affirmative votes are required.
4.
For all other actions, a vote by a majority of the quorum is required.
H.
Removal or vacancy.
1.
A member of the Commission may be removed by the affirmative vote of at least four members of the Council, or the appointing Council member.
2.
A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
3.
A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004)
A.
Establishment. The seven-member Santa Rosa Design Review and Preservation Board, referred to in this Zoning Code as the DRPB, which shall also serve as the City of Santa Rosa's historic and cultural preservation review authority, is hereby established.
B.
Qualifications. DRPB members shall be qualified as follows. The full membership of the DRPB shall be in compliance with the following qualifications on or before February 28, 2026, with each Board member filling only one of the identified qualifications.
1.
At least two members shall be licensed architects.
2.
At least one member shall be a licensed landscape architect or licensed landscape contractor, or shall have a college degree or applicable professional experience in the field of landscaping.
3.
At least one member shall be an archaeologist, architectural historian, or historian.
4.
The remaining members shall be representative of the community at large, preferably involved in the design, construction, civil or structural engineering, and/or historic preservation industry.
5.
All members shall demonstrate knowledge or interest in the quality of architectural design and historic preservation of the City.
C.
Rules for transaction of business and records. The DRPB shall adopt rules and procedures for the transaction of its business. The Department shall keep a public record of all determinations, findings, resolutions, and transactions of the DRPB.
D.
Terms of office. Except as provided in Subsection I (Removal or vacancy), the term of office for each DRPB member shall coincide with the term of the appointing Council member; provided, the term shall be automatically extended until a successor has been appointed, qualified, and seated.
E.
Regular meetings. The DRPB shall hold at least two regular meeting each month. The regular meetings shall be held on the first and third Thursday of each month at the City Hall.
F.
Organization.
1.
Appointment of Chairperson. The Mayor shall appoint the Chairperson of the DRPB, with the concurrence of the Council, prior to the first regular annual meeting of the DRPB in January. The term of the Chairperson shall expire upon the appointment of a replacement in compliance with this schedule, or upon the appointment of a new Chairperson. The Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the DRPB and shall represent the DRPB at functions and perform other duties as are appropriate or as may be assigned by the DRPB or the Council.
2.
Election of Vice-Chairperson. The DRPB shall annually elect a Vice- Chairperson from its membership at its first regular meeting in January. The term of the Vice-Chairperson shall expire upon the election of a replacement in compliance with this schedule, or upon the election of a new Vice- Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson shall preside at meetings and perform the duties of the Chairperson in the Chairperson's absence.
G.
Authority and duties.
2.
The DRPB shall review and recommend revisions to the Design Guidelines as appropriate.
3.
As it relates to historic and cultural preservation, the DRPB shall perform its duties in compliance with this Chapter and Chapter 20-58 (Historic and Cultural Preservation) and shall:
a.
Review surveys of neighborhoods, objects, places, sites, and structures within the City that may qualify or be eligible for designation as a landmark or preservation district;
b.
Recommend designations of landmarks and preservation districts to the Council and as to each recommended designation:
c.
Review and make determinations on alteration, development, demolition, rehabilitation, and restoration proposals for landmarks and preservation districts;
e.
Compile and maintain a current register of all designated landmarks and preservation districts within the City;
f.
Work for the continuing education of the citizens of the City about the heritage of the City and the designated landmarks and preservation districts within the City;
g.
Seek means for the preservation, protection, and retention of any landmark and preservation district, including suggesting appropriate legislation, seeking financial support from individuals and local, State, and Federal governments, and establishing a private funding organization;
h.
Coordinate its activities, where practical and advantageous to do so, with the Sonoma County, the State and Federal governments; and
i.
Consult with and advise the Council in connection with the exercise of the DRPB's duties and functions.
H.
Quorum. Four members of the DRPB shall constitute a quorum. A vote by a majority of the quorum is required for all decisions except for sign Variances, which require four affirmative votes.
I.
Removal or vacancy.
1.
A member of the DRPB may be removed by the affirmative vote of at least four members of the Council, or the appointing Council member.
2.
A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
3.
A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2025-003, 2/25/2025)
Prior History: Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 3711 § 1 Exh. A, 2005; Ord. 2020-014 § 34; repealed by Ord. 2025-003, 2/25/2025.
A.
Appointment. The Santa Rosa Director of Planning and Economic Development, referred to in this Zoning Code as the Director, shall be appointed by the City Manager.
B.
Duties and Authority. The Director shall:
1.
Acting directly, or through a subordinate employee designated as Zoning Administrator in compliance with Section 20-60.090 (Zoning Administrator), perform the duties and functions identified in this Zoning Code, including the initial review of land use applications, in compliance with Section 20-50.020 (Authority for Land Use and Zoning Decisions), Table 5-1 (Review Authority), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the City's environmental review procedures identified in Title 17 of the City Code (Environmental Protection), giving of notices, preparing reports, issuing Certificates of Zoning Compliance, receiving and processing appeals, terminating incomplete applications, and receiving and accounting for fees;
2.
Perform other responsibilities assigned by the City Manager, DRPB, Commission, and Council;
3.
Supervise Department staff members assigned to the Department's administration;
4.
Maintain the sections of this Zoning Code, Zoning Map, and all records of zoning actions and cases;
5.
Approve site plans as provided by this Zoning Code;
6.
Attend meetings and serve as principal advisor to the Commission and DRPB. The Director shall also serve as secretary to the Commission and DRPB and in this capacity shall prepare and keep minutes and all other records of these review authorities;
7.
Report regularly to the Commission on actions taken by the Department, including the number of cases handled, and their disposal and recommendations for amendments of this Zoning Code; and
8.
Refer, at the Director's sole discretion, any of the above or other matters to the Commission for its review and action, and to notify the applicant or other affected person of the referral.
C.
Delegation and Supervision. The Director may delegate the responsibilities of the Director to assigned Department staff under the supervision of the Director. This delegation shall be confirmed in writing. When the Director designates a Department staff person, the staff person shall perform the duties assigned by the Director, in addition to those listed in Subsection B. above, as appropriate to the personnel title of the designee.
D.
Any project reviewed as a Zoning Administrator Public Meeting may be elevated by the Director to the Zoning Administrator Public Hearing. The applicant shall be responsible for the Zoning Administrator Public Hearing fee identified in the current Planning and Economic Development Department Fee Schedule.
E.
Consolidated Review. The intent of this section is to allow the Director to elevate projects with requests for multiple entitlements to the highest review authority required.
1.
Any project that requires multiple entitlements where at least one entitlement requires review by the Zoning Administrator (including, but not limited to, Minor Use Permit, Minor Hillside Development Permit, Minor Variance, Request for Reasonable Accommodation, Sign Variance, and Small Lot Use Permits in Priority Development Areas), and where at least one entitlement requires review by the Planning Commission, may hereby be elevated by the Director to the Planning Commission for review.
2.
Any project that requires multiple entitlements where at least one entitlement requires review by the Subdivision Committee and where at least one entitlement requires review by the Planning Commission.
(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2024-012, 11/19/2024; Ord. 2025-003, 2/25/2025; Ord. 2025-014, 11/18/2025)
A.
Appointment. The Santa Rosa Zoning Administrator, referred to in this Zoning Code as the Zoning Administrator, shall be appointed by the Director.
B.
Duties and authority. The Zoning Administrator shall:
1.
Have the responsibility and authority to take action on applications for all administrative permits and approvals issued by the Department;
2.
Perform other responsibilities assigned by the Director, Commission, and Council; and
3.
Perform the duties and functions identified in this Zoning Code, including Section 20-50.020 (Authority for Land Use and Zoning Decisions), Table 5-1 (Review Authority), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the City's environmental review procedures identified in Title 17 of the City Code (Environmental Protection), giving notices, preparing reports, issuing Certificates of Zoning Compliance, receiving and processing appeals, terminating incomplete applications, and receiving and accounting for fees;
C.
Delegation and supervision. The Director may delegate the responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator to assigned Department staff under the supervision of the Director.
(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2024-012, 11/19/2024)