Introducing 

Prezi AI.

Your new presentation assistant.

Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.

Loading…
Transcript

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Inform governmental decision-makers and the public

about the potential, significant environmental effects of proposed activities.

  • Aesthetics
  • Agriculture and Forestry
  • Air Quality
  • Biological Resources
  • Cultural Resources
  • Geology/Soils
  • Greenhouse Gases
  • Hazards &

Hazardous Materials

  • Hydrology/Water
  • Land Use/Planning
  • Mineral Resources
  • Noise
  • Population/Housing
  • Public Services
  • Recreation
  • Transportation/Traffic
  • Tribal Resources
  • Utilities/Service Systems

EXAMPLE

What are findings and why are they important?

The City's Zoning Code says I must have at least 1 acre of land in order to keep 1 horse.

1 ac

1/2 ac

  • Written statements of facts explaining how and why a particular decision was made

  • Not normally required for legislative acts (unless specifically required by ordinance or statute)

I only have half an acre of land. Can I keep a horse?

NO.

Conditions of Approval

  • Planning staff collects conditions from other agencies and departments

  • Conditions should be unique to the project

  • Should be measurable

  • May also be environmental mitigation measures

Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.

Your Role

  • A decision maker on development applications that come before you, such as a conditional use permit or variance

  • A recommending body to the City Council on planning policy matters, such as an amendment to the General Plan or changes to the zoning code

  • Interpretation/clarification of the code

Zoning Ordinance

  • Project must be consistent with zoning
  • Usually a metric that can be measured
  • Lot size
  • Building heights
  • Allowable Uses
  • Staff report provides evidence
  • Evidence is summarized in the findings

-Alan Lakein

Tips & Tricks

Being open-minded to listen to the public as part of the process is important, as sometimes new information comes to light that can/should sway your opinion.

Brown Act limits engagement – serial emails, calls, etc.

The commission has a “band width” of discretion, unlike staff who stick to the codes and other facts.

It's okay to disagree with staff's recommendations.

Is your microphone on?

Everything is Public Record.

Planning is Guided by Several Implementation Tools & Techniques

General Plan

Elements

General Plan

Specific Plans

Zoning Code

Subdivision Code

Design Guidelines

Environmental Regulations

Application Submittal Requirements

A General Plan is the local government’s

long-term blueprint for development.

Housing

Land Use

Circulation

Noise

Open Space &

Conservation

Public Safety

Public Facilities &

Services

What Every

Planning Commissioner Needs to Know

Learn more about creating dynamic, engaging presentations with Prezi