PLANNING DEPARTMENT
MISSION STATEMENT: To make West Covina a positive, interesting, and enjoyable place in which to live and work, stressing the maintenance and development of stable neighborhoods and a strong business community, while providing professional customer service to residents and business operators.
The department provides professional assistance to the Planning Commission and City Council in decision-making efforts involving the physical development of the City. The department strives to improve the environment of the City for all segments of the community, both residential and commercial, by vigorous adherence to the principles of good design and applicable codes and regulations.
The department is currently staffed by seven full-time positions, which maintain liaisons with other cities and planning agencies to address problems of mutual concern consistent with reasonable and sound planning practices. The functions of the department encompass comprehensive advance planning through the maintenance of the General Plan and specific plans of the City. The current planning function is implemented through the application of the City's zoning code. In addition, there is a transportation planning function that is responsible for assuring compliance with applicable regional, state and federal transportation and air quality mandates.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
FY 2004-2005 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Prepared and processed 18 zone code amendments and zone changes.
- Processed 98 development applications through the Planning Commission, including conditional use permits, general plan amendments, planned community developments, precise plans, variances, zone changes, and tentative tract and parcel maps.
- Processed 224 administrative applications including, temporary use permits, special event permits, administrative modifications, planning director's modifications, slight modifications and film permits.
- Completed 281 building, grading, and landscape plan checks.
- Completed processing and approval of residential and commercial development projects. Residential development includes a 24-unit McIntyre Development project (1838 E. Workman Avenue). Major commercial development projects processed include the 350,000-square foot retail commercial development on Azusa Avenue on the former BKK property, a 15,000-square foot drug store building at the northwest corner of Azusa Avenue and Amar Road, an 30,000-square foot retail building and 40,000-square foot automotive dealership at the southwest corner of Citrus Street and Workman Avenue, and a 5,000-square foot automobile dealership building (Hummer) at 1900 E. Garvey Avenue South. In addition, the department has processed a park master plan amendment for Galster Park. Code amendments have been approved regarding recreational vehicle and recreational equipment parking in front yards in residential areas, and Art in Public Places.
FY 2005-2006 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Provide excellent customer service.
- Respond to all questions and inquiries in a polite, courteous manner.
- Look for answers. If the first answer is "no," look for alternatives that will get to "yes."
Provide prompt, thorough, and objective processing of all permits, entitlements, and projects.
- Identify issues, concerns, and corrections early in the review process.
- Critically evaluate and review projects in terms of creating a positive project design.
Provide quality professionally support and assistance to other departments.
Prepare long-range plans and programs to enhance the living environment and economic base of West Covina.
The department is currently working on several significant projects. In addition, the department is working on projects in partnership with the public works department, community services department and CDC.
Planning staff anticipates working on redevelopment projects for an office development in the Civic Center area, a four-level parking structure for Crestview Cadillac at 2700 E. Garvey Avenue South, and commercial activity in the Glendora Avenue area. Planning staff will continue working on advanced planning activities related to annexation potential, a master plan for Glendora Avenue, historic preservation, and the annexation of Nogales High School. Planning staff will also be working with the developer of a 70-unit residential project at 1773 San Bernardino Road, and a 16,000-square foot retail development at the northwest corner of Merced Avenue and Glendora Avenue.
Another work project that is being finalized is the revision to the Housing Element of the General Plan. The State of California mandates that the Housing Element be updated every five years. The City has contracted with Parsons Harland Bartholomew to assist in the preparation and review process for that update.
The department anticipates amendments to the Master Plans for parks, including Aroma Parkette, Cortez Park, and Maverick Field/Ridgeriders.
Finally, staff will continue working with the owner and perspective developers interested in developing the BKK site. Planning staff will continue to play an integral part in that review as that proposal progresses.
The department continues to work with VanDorpe Chou Associates to implement the Accela "Permits Plus" case tracking system.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
BUDGET COMMENTS
The loss of one planning assistant position will continue to impact the ability of the department to respond to public questions and process case files in the time frames that have been completed in the past. The department is requesting a Planning Intern position ($15,297) for the fiscal year 2005-2006 to help the department function due to a leave of absence that will occur within the year.
AUTHORIZED POSITIONS
ACTIVITY TREE
Current Planning
Development Projects - Review and processing of entitlements (Temporary Use Permits, Special Event Permits, Sign Review, Sign Criteria Review, Slight Modification, Film Permits, Preliminary Review, Administrative Reviews, Administrative Use Permit, CUP, Development Plan, Precise Plan, Tentative Parcel Map, Tentative Tract Map, Variance, General Plan Amendments, Zone Changes, Conceptual Plan Review, Extensions of Time, Planning Director's Modification, Model Home Marketing Complex, Appeals to Planning Commission). Such applications require review, coordination with other departments, notification, staff reports, meetings, minutes and resolutions and approval letters.
Environmental Review - Review of development projects for CEQA compliance
Transportation Planning - Review of development projects for traffic impacts in coordination with Public Works.
Redevelopment Projects - Completion of entitlement for redevelopment projects.
Advanced Planning
Code Amendments - processing of changes to the Municipal Code initiated by the City.
Zone Changes - processing of changes to the Zoning Map initiated by the City.
General Plan Amendments - processing of changes to the General Plan Map initiated by the City.
Housing and Master Plan studies - Processing Council initiated studies (Annexation Study, Glendora Avenue Master Plan, Nogales HS annexation, Park Master Plans, Multi-use Trail Master Plan).
Construction Support Services
Plan Check - Over-the-Counter review of small-scale projects, submitted review for larger projects and those requiring entitlements.
Inspections - On-site inspections of projects under construction.
Code Enforcement Support - Interpretation of Zoning Code to assist code enforcement activities. Also follow-up to resolve code issue.
Customer Service
Public Information - Providing information to individuals regarding code requirements, processing, current projects, completed projects, and proposed projects. Includes providing general information such as other agency phone numbers, population and zoning.
Business License Review - Review of business license applications for zoning compliance.
BUDGET SUMMARY
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