The provisions of this article inclusive, shall be known as the general regulations. The purpose of these provisions is to set forth certain regulations that shall apply to all provisions of the environmental review regulations.

(Ord. 11766 § 2 (part), 1994: prior planning code § 1060)

The Environmental Review Officer shall function as the official city repository for environmental review records, and as a clearinghouse for the receiving and processing of all environmental documents. The Environmental Review Officer shall maintain a library of all EIRs prepared by the city as lead agency, and all EIRs prepared by other public agencies as lead agency and referred to the city for comment. If and when other city officers, departments, boards, or commissions receive environmental documents from other agencies, they shall advise the Environmental Review Officer and send a copy of the document and any response or comments they have made on the document to the Environmental Review Officer.

(Ord. 11766 § 2 (part), 1994: prior planning code § 1070)

When a public agency other than the city refers a negative declaration, draft EIR, or other environmental document on a project to the city for review and comment, the Environmental Review Officer may comment directly to said public agency, or may choose to refer such comments, in cases when such project may have potentially significant impact on city goals and objectives or planning policies, or if the project is considered to be of a controversial nature, to the City Planning Commission or the City Council for action. The Planning Commission may in some cases choose to refer the matter to the City Council. The City Manager, or other officers and departments, may review and comment directly as well, except in those cases where the City Council has acted on the matter. All comments by city departments and officers shall be consistent with adopted city policies. In cases where a coordinated city response is deemed appropriate, the Environmental Review Officer shall be responsible for such coordination, unless the City Council, City Planning Commission, or City Manager designates another city officer or department to coordinate the response.

(Ord. 11766 § 2 (part), 1994: prior planning code § 1080)

A.

Master Fee Schedule. Fees as shown in the master fee schedule are payable to the city to assist in covering processing costs at the time of filing of a request for each step of the environmental review process. For instance, when a project sponsor requests an exemption determination or environmental review, a fee is collected. If it is determined that an EIR is required, the city collects the EIR fee before beginning work on the EIR. The fee schedule may be revised by the City Council from time to time. Fees are charged for environmental determinations, initial studies, administration of EIR contracts, copies of environmental documents, public notification, challenges or appeals of any environmental determination, and any other environmental review matters as identified in the master fee schedule.

B.

Effect of Nonpayment of Fees. Processing of requests for exemption determinations, initial studies, and EIR preparation may be suspended for nonpayment of the appropriate fees, and any related permit application may be considered incomplete. Challenges and appeals shall not be considered timely if the appropriate fees are not paid prior to the deadline for such challenges or appeals.

(Ord. 11766 § 2 (part), 1994: prior planning code § 1090)