The purpose of this part is to define the authorities, roles and responsibilities for the positions or entities responsible for administering this title.
(Ord. 811, Sec. 2 (Exh. 1), 2010; Ord. 1015, Sec. 4 (Exh. C), 2018)
(a) 
The Planning Director enforces the municipal code unless otherwise specified. As specified in this title, the Planning Director shall be the City's Planning and Community Development Director or designated representative.
(b) 
Authority and Duties. The Planning Director or designee shall have the authority to enter and inspect buildings and land during reasonable hours with permission of the occupant or owner or by court order, to issue abatement orders and citations and to cause the termination and abatement of violations of this title unless otherwise specified. The duties of the Planning Director shall include, but not be limited to, the following: enforce and administer this title unless otherwise specified; investigate complaints and initiate appropriate action; render decisions or make recommendations as specified in this title; and keep adequate records of land use applications, enforcement actions, and appeals. The Planning Director may also review administrative modifications pursuant to Section 14.16C.025 to items previously approved by the Planning Commission and/or City Council.
(c) 
Appeals. Appeals of final decisions of the Planning Director made in the course of interpretation or administration of this title shall be governed by Section 14.16A.265, Appeals. Code enforcement actions pursuant to Section 14.16A.040, Compliance with Title 14 Required, are not "final decisions" for the purpose of this section, except as otherwise provided in this title.
(Ord. 811, Sec. 2 (Exh. 1), 2010; Ord. 1015, Sec. 4 (Exh. C), 2018; Ord. 1068, Sec. 2 (Exh. B), 2019)
The Public Works Director is the administrative head of the Department of Public Works. As provided in various sections, the Public Works Director is responsible for planning, administration, enforcement, and decision making as it pertains to public improvements as specified in this title, including the approval of plans for public improvements and approval of public improvements for acceptance by the City, or to delegate such authority to the Public Works staff or Planning and Community Development Director. In delegating authority, the Public Works Director or his or her representative reserves the right of final decision.
(Ord. 811, Sec. 2 (Exh. 1), 2010; Ord. 1015, Sec. 4 (Exh. C), 2018)
The office of the Building Official is established to administer and enforce the building and construction codes. The rules, regulations and procedures under which the Building Official shall operate are established in Chapter 14.80.
(Ord. 811, Sec. 2 (Exh. 1), 2010; Ord. 1015, Sec. 4 (Exh. C), 2018)
(a) 
The purpose of establishing a Hearing Examiner is to separate the application of land use regulations from policy making; to provide a level of expertise to conduct administrative and quasi-judicial hearings arising from the application of this title and the rules and procedures developed under it; to better protect and promote the interests of the community; and to expand the principles of fairness and due process in public hearings.
(b) 
Authority and Duties. The Hearing Examiner's authority and duties are provided in Chapter 2.48 and below:
(1) 
Meetings of the Hearing Examiner.
(i) 
The Hearing Examiner shall have no regularly scheduled meetings but shall meet on an as-needed basis so that the examiner can take action in conformity with this title.
(ii) 
The Hearing Examiner shall conduct meetings in accordance with the quasi-judicial procedures set forth in Chapters 14.16A and 14.16B.
(iii) 
All meetings of the Hearing Examiner, except for mediation proceedings, shall be open to the public, and whenever feasible the agenda for each Board meeting shall be made available in advance of the meeting.
(2) 
Powers and Duties of the Hearing Examiner.
(i) 
The Hearing Examiner shall hear and decide:
a. 
Applications for conditional use permits.
b. 
Appeals from any order, decision, requirement, or interpretation made by the Planning Director or City Council.
c. 
Any other matter the Hearing Examiner is required to act upon by any other City ordinance.
(ii) 
In addition, the Hearing Examiner is invested within those duties and powers as specified in Chapter 2.48 (Hearing Examiner's Office).
(3) 
In carrying out the duties and powers, the Examiner shall review available information, determine findings of fact from the record, and form conclusions in support of recommendations and decisions. The findings and conclusions shall also set forth the manner in which the recommendation or decision carries out and conforms to the regulations, goals and policies of the City. The Examiner shall have the power to issue summons to compel the appearance of witnesses, to preserve order, to reconsider decisions, and shall be free from the interference of individual City Council members, Planning Commission members, City officials, or any other person. The Hearing Examiner may also exercise administrative powers and such other quasi-judicial powers as may be granted by the City Council.
(4) 
On a periodic basis or as the need arises, the Examiner shall report to the Planning Commission on recommended changes to this title, the resolution of conflicts within it, and additions that address omissions.
(5) 
Appeals from Final Decisions. Appeals from final decisions of the Hearing Examiner shall be governed by Section 14.16A.265, Appeals.
(Ord. 811, Sec. 2 (Exh. 1), 2010; Ord. 1015, Sec. 4 (Exh. C), 2018; Ord. 1179, Sec. 7, 2024)
(a) 
A Planning Commission is created by Chapter 2.64 to involve residents of the City in advising the City Council on matters of community development.
(b) 
Authority and Duties. The Planning Commission's authority and duties are provided in Chapter 2.64 and this section. The Planning Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City Council in the following respects:
(1) 
The Planning Commission may make recommendations to the City Council based on its findings and conclusions and on those of its committees. It shall prepare the elements of the Comprehensive Plan or this title for adoption or modification; advise the Council regarding comprehensive land use and development policy or special area concerns; and investigate and make recommendations on matters suggested by the Council, the Mayor, Lake Stevens citizens, or upon its own initiative. Ad hoc committees may be created for special studies.
(2) 
The Planning Commission shall monitor the growth and development of the City and the areas surrounding the City and shall continually reevaluate and recommend revisions to the elements of the Comprehensive Plan or Land Use Code.
(3) 
The Planning Commission shall forward to the Council a periodic report on the status of this title. The Planning Commission shall monitor the hearings of the Hearing Examiner in order to stay abreast of development activities and the concerns of the public.
(c) 
Public Hearings. The Planning Commission shall conduct its public hearings under this title in accordance with Section 14.16A.260, Public Meetings and Public Hearings. The Planning Commission may hold additional hearings and meetings as it sees fit to conduct its business.
(d) 
Quorum. A quorum shall be considered a majority of the currently constituted membership.
(Ord. 811, Sec. 2 (Exh. 1), 2010; Ord. 1015, Sec. 4 (Exh. C), 2018)
(a) 
The City Council makes decisions on changes to the text of this title and to the Official Zoning Map pursuant to Section 14.16C.090.
(b) 
Authority and Duties. The City Council's authority and duties are provided in Chapter 2.08.
(c) 
Public Hearings. The City Council shall conduct its public hearings under this title in accordance with Section 14.16A.260.
(d) 
Public Hearings and Appeals. The City Council may hold additional hearings and meetings as it sees fit to conduct its business.
(Ord. 811, Sec. 2 (Exh. 1), 2010; Ord. 1015, Sec. 4 (Exh. C), 2018)
The authority, membership, powers, and duties of the Lake Stevens Park Board are established in Chapter 2.56 of the Lake Stevens Municipal Code.
(Ord. 811, Sec. 2 (Exh. 1), 2010; Ord. 1015, Sec. 4 (Exh. C), 2018)