20.09.020 Planning Agency Reviews and Decisions.
A. Staff Report. The City Zoning Administrator shall prepare a staff report on the proposed development or action summarizing the comments and recommendations of City departments, affected agencies and special districts, and evaluating the development’s consistency with the City’s Development Code, adopted plans and regulations. The staff report shall include findings, conclusions and proposed recommendations for disposition of the development application.
B. Hearing. The Planning Agency shall conduct a public hearing on development proposals for the purpose of taking testimony, hearing evidence, considering the facts germane to the proposal, and evaluating the proposal for consistency with the City’s Development Code, adopted plans and regulations. Notice of the Planning Agency hearing shall be in accordance with Section 20.07.020.
C. Required Findings. The Planning Agency shall not approve a proposed development unless if first makes the following findings and conclusions:
1. The development is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and meets the requirements and intent of this Code.
2. The development makes adequate provisions for open space, drainage ways, streets and other public ways, transit stops, water supply, sanitary wastes, parks and recreation facilities, playgrounds, sites for schools and school grounds.
3. The development adequately mitigates impacts identified under Chapters 13 through 17.
4. The development is beneficial to the public health, safety, and welfare and is in the public interest.
5. The development does not lower the level of service of transportation and/or neighborhood park facilities below the minimum standards established within the Comprehensive Plan. If the development results in a level of services lower than those set forth in the Comprehensive Plan, the development may be approved if improvements or strategies to raise the level of service above the minimum standard(s) are made concurrent with the development. For the purpose of this section, “concurrent with the development” is defined as the required improvements or strategies in place at the time of occupancy, or a financial commitment is in place to complete the improvements or strategies within six (6) years of approval of the development.
6. The area, location, and features of land proposed for dedication are a direct result of the development proposal, are reasonably needed to mitigate the effects of the development, and are proportional to the impacts created by the development.
D. Decision. Upon approving or disapproving a development proposal or action, the Planning Agency shall make its decision by motion, resolution, or recommended draft ordinance as appropriate and cause a copy of the decision to be delivered to the parties of record.