REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Introduce an Ordinance Amending Title 18 (Subdivisions) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code to Designate the Director of Public Works to Take Action on Final Maps and Offers of Dedication Stated on the Final Maps; Determine the Review Frequency of the Subject Delegation of Authority; and Find CEQA Exemption per Guideline 15061(b)(3)
Report
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to California Government Code (GC) Sections 66458 and 66463, the approval of final maps shall be by the legislative body, while the approval of parcel maps shall be established by local ordinance. Per Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 18.20, final maps are approved by the City Council, and parcel maps are approved by the Director of Public Works. Although the GC requires the City Council to take action on final maps, it also allows the City Council to delegate their authority to a designated official by ordinance. In general, final and parcel maps are only differentiated in that a final map is for subdivisions with five or more lots/parcels while a parcel map is for subdivisions with less than five lots/parcels.
In an effort to provide better schedule management as part of development projects, staff is proposing that the Council consider delegating approval authority on final maps, and any associated offer(s) of dedication, to the Director of Public Works. The Director of Public Works would be the approval authority for both final maps and parcel maps.
EXISTING POLICY
City Council Policy, Chapter 1, Land Use and Transportation, Policy 1.1.3 - It is the policy of the City to provide for expeditious processing of development plans. Also it is a desire of the City to communicate clearly to developers and the public.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Designating the Public Works Director as the approval authority and amending the subdivision ordinance does not require environmental review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that these act...
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