February 6, 2024, Item #9
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TO:
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Summary:
M EMQRAN DLJ M City of Poway
February 6, 2024
Members of the City Council
Mayor Steve Vaus
Minor Development Review Application for Residential Projects The development review and permitting process is guided by numerous requirements set forth in state, county and local laws. While the City does not have control over state and county laws, we do have the opportunity, and I would argue the responsibility, to regularly review processes set forth in the Poway Municipal Code (PMC) to see where there are opportunities to cut red tape, improve efficiencies and reduce unnecessary costs and time associated with the development process, particularly for individual property owners trying to build a single home, complete an addition, remodel, a detached accessory structure, or build an unlighted recreational court.
Currently, per the PMC, the following types of projects require the processing and approval of a Minor Development Review Application (MDRA) before a Building Permit application can be accepted by the City:
• A new single-family home. (Multiple new homes that are part of a tract housing project require a Development Review Application).
• A single-family home addition/remodel which results in 750 square feet, or more, of habitable space.
• A detached, non-habitable, accessory structure that exceeds 1,500 square feet on a residential lot less than 2 acres.
• Unlighted recreational courts.
• Additions to commercial buildings which are less than 10,000 square feet or 25 percent (25%) of the existing square footage, whichever is more restrictive. • Significant exterior renovations to commercial buildings. • Above ground public utility boxes that have a dimension of greater than 36 inches in any direction or any utility box within 100 feet of an existing utility box. • Other ground mounted equipment on commercial and industrial lots that are not enclosed within a wall or fence.
• Telecommunication facilities located within the South Poway Business Park.
While the MORA process is intended to help applicants by providing staff an opportunity to thoroughly review projects and identify potential issues prior to the building permit process, it results in additional costs to the applicant, requires additional staff time, provides little new 1 of 2