Planning Services
The Planning Division of the Community Development Department implements public policy and provides project review for new development in Petaluma. Residential, industrial, commercial, public improvements, whether large or small, all require careful consideration for compatibility with the City’s land use/planning goals and objectives. The Planning Division leads the effort, with other departments, to implement the City’s General Plan and participates in project management for Capital Improvement and Redevelopment/Economic Development projects. The Division maintains flexible timetables and workloads to meet the individual needs of our clients. The Assistant Community Development Director directs the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the Division and assists the Community Development Director in preparing and administering the Division's budget. The Division currently consists of four full time planners. Due to the high volume of projects, the Division also utilizes the services of several contract planners on a full cost recovery basis.
The Planning team provides project review and environmental processing for all planning entitlement proposals including subdivisions, planned unit developments, commercial and residential design review, historic district review, use permits, variances and annexations. The planning team also performs a wide range of customer activities such as operating the public counter, preliminary development reviews, responding to complaints or other zoning related inquiries, zoning abatements, building permit clearances for zoning compliance purposes and mitigation monitoring. The planning team directly supports the City Council, the Planning Commission, the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee (SPARC), the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee.
The Planning Division serves to interpret City policies, ordinances, and codes, and works closely with the Community Development Director, the City Manager and other City Departments. Planning staff interacts with a variety of public and private organizations and citizen groups in developing programs and implementing projects to solve problems related to the planning function. Planning staff also develops specific proposals for action on current and future City planning needs; makes final interpretations of City regulations and various ordinances, codes and applicable laws to ensure compliance; represents the City and works closely with citizen boards and commissions, and public and private officials to provide technical assistance, advice, maintenance and recommendations related to urban development and the City's General Plan.
A complete list of the entitlements that are administered by the Planning Division can be found under Applications and Permits.
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