17.06.010 Zoning Code Administration.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish the administration of this title and to set forth the basic responsibilities of the officials and bodies charged with its administration.
A. Composition of the Atherton Planning Agency. California Government Code Section 65100 requires each jurisdiction to establish a planning agency to carry out the land use and planning functions of the jurisdiction. The planning agency for the Town of Atherton shall be the following bodies:
1. City council;
2. Planning commission;
3. General plan committee;
4. Town planner.
The duties and responsibilities of these bodies are described in subsections B through E of this section. In the absence of an assignment of a particular duty or responsibility, the city council shall have the assignment.
B. Responsibilities of the City Council. The city council has the following planning and land use responsibilities:
1. Appoint members of the planning commission.
2. Hear and decide applications for zoning and general plan amendments. If an application for a general plan amendment or zoning plan amendment is accompanied by a request for other land use approvals, the city council shall be the decision-making body for the other land use approvals.
3. Hear and decide appeals of the decisions of the planning commission and town planner.
4. Direct planning-related policy amendments and special studies as necessary or desired.
5. Exercise such other powers and duties as are prescribed by state law or local ordinance.
C. Responsibilities of the Planning Commission. The planning commission has the following planning and land use responsibilities:
1. Hear and make recommendations to the city council on applications or proposals for general plan amendments.
2. Hear and make recommendations to the city council on applications or proposals for amendments to this title.
3. Initiate studies of amendments to this title and make recommendations to the city council for amendments to this title.
4. Hear and decide applications for planning permits as described in Table 17.06.070-1 (Approval Authority).
5. Exercise such other powers and duties as are prescribed by state law, local ordinance, or as directed by the city council.
D. Responsibilities of the General Plan Committee. The general plan committee has the planning and land use responsibilities established by city council resolution and as may be amended from time to time.
E. Responsibilities of the Town Planner. The town planner has the responsibility and authority to administer and enforce this title as follows:
1. Maintain the sections of this title, the zoning plan, and all records of zoning actions and interpretations.
2. Interpret the zoning code and maintain a record of zoning code interpretations.
3. Decide staff-level permits, including zoning clearance. See chapter 17.60 for definition of staff-level decisions.
4. Conduct administrative functions authorized by this title, including distribution and receipt of permit applications, application review and public notice, and preparation of staff reports with recommendations, proposed findings, and proposed conditions for quasi-judicial and legislative actions by the planning commission and city council.
5. Oversee planning-related policy amendments and special studies as necessary.
6. Exercise such other powers and duties as are prescribed by state law or local ordinance or as directed by the city manager. (Ord. 582 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2009)