Division Functions

Overview

The Planning Division is the liaison to residents, homeowners, businesses, and developers for all zoning functions of the City. The Division is responsible for Current and Advanced Planning, Historic Preservation and Public Art in the City. In order to improve the quality of life for people who live, work and shop in the City, the Division implements goals, objectives, and policies contained in the General Plan, Development Code, Specific Plans and other Long Range Plans. The Advance Planning initiatives undertaken help the City meet future needs while the Current Planning functions help advance the day-to-day services detailed below. In addition, the Planning Division provides technical support to the Planning Commission, Art in Public Places Commission, Cultural and Historic Preservation Commission and Development Review Committee.

Current Planning

The Current Planning function prepares and administers the City's General Plan, all zoning and subdivision ordinances, and reviews and makes recommendations on land use development applications in order to guide the future growth and development of the City as determined by the City Council. The Division also provides public information regarding planning issues; manages inter-departmental and inter-jurisdictional review; promotes historic preservation (Azusa Historic Preservation); promotes public art (Azusa Arts); and performs environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

The Planning Division performs the following Current Planning functions:

Zoning Clearance for business
Zoning Letters and some Public Records Requests
Review of Small Development Projects like: room additions, patio, pools, etc.
Review of Large Development Projects like: subdivision, residential homes, commercial, industrial, etc.
Staff Liaison to Planning Commission, Art in Public Places Commission, Cultural and Historic Preservation Commission, and Development Review Committee.

Advanced Planning

The Advance Planning function undertakes the long term comprehensive and strategic planning for the City. Advance planning serves as the primary "research and development" arm of the Division. Advance planning is responsible for coordination of the City’s planning efforts with other localities through participation in regional committees, particularly dealing with population, housing, and transportation concerns, through the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Another key responsibility is the research and analysis of implementation tools that can be used by the City in the management of growth and the promotion of high quality development.

The Planning Division performs the following Advanced Planning functions:

Update to the City’s General Plan
Review of General Plan Amendments
Review Zone Changes
Revisions to the City’s Development Code
Preparation and revisions of Specific Plans and Long Range Plans
Monitoring the amount and type of development to ensure compliance with Congestion Management Program goals
Preparing studies to update City policies in response to changes in State law, resource availability, and community goals
Facilitating public participation and community involvement in planning issues
Administer the Historic Preservation Program and Art in Public Place Program

Long-Range Planning

The Planning Division performs the following long-range planning functions:

Developing and implementing goals, policies, and action plans related to community issues such as housing, land use, resource conservation, open space, transportation, and circulation
Monitoring the amount and type of development to ensure compliance with Congestion Management Program goals
Preparing studies to update City policies in response to changes in State law, resource availability, and community goals
Preparing and updating the state mandated General Plan
Facilitating public participation and community involvement in planning issues

Development Review

The Planning Division performs the following development review functions:

Reviewing, analyzing, and making recommendations on development and design proposals by private property owners and government agencies
Providing support to the City Council, Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, and Cultural and Historical Preservation Commission
Administering the environmental review process in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Providing public information and permit services at the public counter
Answering questions from property owners, applicants, and other members of the community about land use and zoning requirements
Reviewing plans for proposed development for compliance with City zoning requirements
Preparing amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zone Map as necessary