In accordance with state planning and zoning law, Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 65000 et seq., the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Paula will administer this Title 16 and amendments thereto. The Planning Commission will have the authority and responsibility to hear and act upon all matters as specified in Chapters 16.200 through 16.234 (Administration of the Development Code) of this Title 16 and any other responsibilities authorized by Chapter 32 (Departments, Boards, Commissions and Agencies) of the Santa Paula Municipal Code.

(Ord. 1100, passed 7-6-04)

   (A)   The Planning Director or the designee will have the authority and responsibility to hear and act upon all matters as specified in Chapters 6.200 through 16.234 (Administration of the Development Code) of this Title 16.

   (B)   The Planning Director will have the authority to interpret the use provisions applicable to each zone district, using the zone district descriptions contained in Chapters 16.07 through 16.33 (Zoning Districts, Land Use Regulations and Development Standards) of this Title 16. In the event that a specific use or type of use is not listed, the Director will have the authority to determine which listed use is most similar to the proposed use and thereby determine whether the use is permitted, permitted subject to Conditional Use Permit review and approval, permitted as a temporary use, or prohibited. In determining "similarity," the Director will make all of the following findings:

      (1)   The proposed use must meet the intent of, and be consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the general plan;

      (2)   The proposed use must meet the stated purpose and general intent of the district in which the use is proposed to be located;

      (3)   The proposed use must not adversely impact the public health, safety and general welfare of the city's resident; and

      (4)   The proposed use must share characteristics common with, and not be of greater intensity, density or generate more environmental impact, than those uses listed in the permitted uses section.

   (C)   Any applicant, interested person, or public official may appeal any decision of the Planning Director to the Planning Commission in accord with the procedures set forth in Chapter 16.206 (Appeals and Revocations) of this Title 16.

(Ord. 1100, passed 7-6-04)

   The Building Official or the duly authorized representative will be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Title 16 which pertain to the construction, moving, conversion, alteration, or addition of and to structures and associated improvements to the lots on which they are located.

(Ord. 1100, passed 7-6-04)

   The City Engineer or the duly authorized representative will be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Title 16 which pertain to the subdivision of land or other action authorized by the Subdivision Map Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 66410 et seq.).

(Ord. 1100, passed 7-6-04)

   If ambiguity arises concerning the appropriate classification of a particular use within the meaning and intent of this Title 16, or if ambiguity exists with respect to matters of height, yard requirements, area requirements, or zone boundaries as set forth herein, it will be the duty of the Planning Director to ascertain all pertinent facts, and to set forth in writing the findings and the interpretations. The Director can refer the matter to the Planning Commission as a scheduled matter not requiring public hearing, and the findings and interpretations of the Planning Commission will be set forth in the recorded minutes. Thereafter, such interpretations will govern.

(Ord. 1100, passed 7-6-04)