The mission of the Planning Division is to foster the orderly growth and protect the quality of life of the community. We will accomplish this by utilizing the best available planning techniques and resources to implement the City's long-range plans and to perform design and environmental review of development proposals. We will perform our planning duties in a manner that reflects the City Council's direction and maintains the ethical standards promoted by the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Staff

The 2007/2008 City budget funds the following positions:

Community Development Director Planning Manager Principal Planner Associate Planner-Long Range Planning Assistant Planner (2) Development Services Assistant I/II (2) Senior Environmental Coordinator Office Staff Assistant IV (.25)

Long Range Planning
Long Range Planning is the process by which the City provides for future needs along with the means and opportunity to establish community development goals and objectives, and to enact ordinances necessary to attain them. The Long Range Planning process gives each citizen an opportunity to participate in the development of local plans, thus increasing the likelihood that the plan reflects the ideas of the community.

Current Planning
Current Planning is the process by which the City reviews applications for residential, commercial, and industrial development to ensure consistency with the General Plan, compliance with the Municipal Code, conformance with City Policies, and agreement with accepted planning practices. Guidance is provided to applicants and the general public to ensure that all proposed development meets community standards and fulfills all legal requirements.

Environmental Review
Environmental Review is the process by which the City reviews all developmental activities within the City and prepares environmental documents in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA is a State law which requires an analysis of potential adverse environmental impacts prior to final decision on planning and zoning matters.

Public Participation
The Planning Division is committed to encouraging public participation in the planning process. There are many ways that the public can participate in the process, a few of them are listed in the attached document.

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