PLANNING RELATED APPEAL PROCESS

Planning Related Appeal Process Decisions or determinations by the City’s staff, Development Review Committee (DRC) or Planning Commission can be appealed by any interested person (applicant, neighbor, public official, or other interested party). The appeal process is described by Chapter 21.23.A of the City’s Municipal Code, and is summarized as follows:

An appeal of a staff determination or interpretation will be heard by the Planning Commission. There is no charge to the appealing party.
The DRC is a subcommittee of the Planning Commission. Their role is to review design details as outlined in Chapter 21.23 B of the Municipal Code. Any decision, determination or recommendation of the DRC may be appealed to the full Planning Commission. There is no charge to the appealing party. In the absence of an appeal to the City Council, the Planning Commission is the final authority on Lot Line Adjustments, Parcel and Subdivision Maps, Conditional Use Permits, Planned Developments, design details and Zoning Code interpretations. Decisions and determinations by the Planning Commission are appeal able to the City Council. Appeals to the City Council require a $200 deposit as adopted by City Council Resolution No. 03-66 toward covering the City’s processing costs, including required a public notice(s).

When must an appeal be filed?

An appeal must be filed within fifteen (15) calendar days of the decision. Upon receipt of an appeal, the matter will be scheduled for consideration before the appeal body as soon as feasible. You can download an Appeal Application [pdf:129/2pp] or obtain one from anyone in the Community Development Department at 1000 Spring Street by calling (805) 237-3970.

What is the effect of filing an appeal?

If an appeal is filed, the body considering the appeal will consider the request as if it were a new application. Opportunities will be provided for all interested parties to speak and/or provide evidence to support approval or denial of the appeal.

There is no penalty for filing an appeal. The City cannot and will not penalize anyone for filing an appeal. Each application for a land use or other entitlement is handled on a “first-come-first- served” basis. (The City keeps a “log” of applications filed, and any of the public is welcome to confirm the order of processing for each application.)

How Can I Get More Information on Appeals?

Please call the Community Development Department at (805) 237-3970, or stop by City Hall at 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446.