City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 2, 2022 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
FIRE DEPARTMENT
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
PARKS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: WORKSHOP SERIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT ENTITLEMENT PROCESS AND WORKSHOP 1: LAND SUBDIVISION PROCESS ISSUES:
Receive a report and provide input on the Workshop Series on the Development Entitlement Process in Riverside; and receive a presentation on Workshop 1: Land Subdivision Process.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Receive a report and provide input on the Development Entitlement Process Workshop Series; and Receive a presentation on Workshop 1: Land Subdivision Process.
BACKGROUND:
The land use entitlement process is the legal procedure in which real estate developers or landowners seek government approval to develop their land. Depending on the complexity and requirements of the projects, multiple City departments will be involved in the process to ensure projects meet State, local, and legal requirements that results in safe and secure development and mitigation of potential impacts.
The land use entitlement process can be lengthy. Applicants may be required to prepare technical studies related to traffic, storm water retention, noise and air quality, just to name a few. These studies are prepared by the applicant’s consultants and reviewed by City Staff for compliance with the Riverside Municipal Code (RMC). During the review, the applicant will be required to meet building and fire codes, address technical study comments, conform to land use regulations, reduce, or eliminate variances, and meet parking, landscaping, lighting, setback and other development standards.
The review process for an applicant varies and can include an over-the-counter review and approval, an administrative Development Review Committee (DRC) review, a Planning Commission review at a public hearing or a City Council review at a public hearing. More complex projects are reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council, which require community engagement to ensure all voices are heard on a project. The level of involvement will vary depending on the complexity of the project.
DISCUSSION:
To provide City Council with a general overview of the development entitlement process, staff has prepared a series of workshops to discuss the various aspects of the process. Staff has prepared the workshop to include 2 parts:
Meeting 1 – Brief presentation at a City Council meeting on the topic Meeting 2 – Discussion with staff on the topic
This approach will provide City Council with time to review the presentation and attachments to engage with staff at a subsequent meeting. This subsequent meeting could include answering questions or providing staff with recommended changes in the process for consideration.
Table 1 details the planned workshops that would come before City Council that focus on the various steps involved to approve development projects.
Table 1: Development Entitlement Workshops:
Topic
Presenting Department
Tentative Schedule
Land Subdivision
Public Works
August 2022
Building and Fire Codes
CEDD, Fire
Fall 2022
Entitlements
CEDD
1st Quarter 2023
Capital Projects
Public Works, RPU, PRCS, Finance, and General Services
2nd Quarter 2023
Workshop 1: Land Subdivision Process will provide an overview of the Land Subdivision process which includes:
Tentative Map Process - Overview of the Riverside Municipal Code and Subdivision Map Act; Timeframes and Extensions – RMC and State mandated extensions - providing flexibility to developers to secure funding, obtain letters of intent, prepare construction agreements, conduct due diligence with technical studies, and secure construction permits; Parcel vs. Tract Map – including relationship with SB 9; Final Map Process;
City Council approval of Final Maps; and
Other final map approvals
All Departments involved in the City Council Training Series concur with this staff report.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 3 – Economic Opportunity and Goal 3.3 – Cultivate a business climate that welcomes innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment, and Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government and Goal 5.3 – Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Workshop Series is transparent as the public, Planning Commission and staff provide feedback to developers so they can construct successful projects that adhere to State and Local guidelines and the latest California Building Codes. Development Entitlements are also presented to City Council for final approval and allow the public and councilmembers to review the conditions of approval associated with the final map.
Equity – The information shared through the Workshop Series provides a step-by-step explanation of the development process, which demonstrate that all private development and capital projects follow the applicable statutes, ordinances, and policies, respectively. Equity is represented by a consistent, fair, and impartial application of applicable laws and policies. In instances where projects are reviewed by City Council, Planning Commission or other Boards or Commission, the project evaluation is presented in the form of published staff reports and presentations and allows for public participation.
Fiscal Responsibility - The Workshop Series is neutral towards this cross-cutting thread.
Innovation - The Workshop Series meets a community need to better explain the development entitlement process. Workshops are intended to lead to a better understanding of the development process. The workshops will help raise awareness of the process and facilitate discussions that may lead to new methods, ideas or products to best meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future.
Sustainability and Resiliency - The Workshop Series helps the City meet housing figures and incorporates adopted building codes, planning requirements, and various departments’ design guidelines to minimize a project’s impact on the environment, roadway network, and community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Tract Map Flow Chart Flyer
Recent Final Maps – All Wards
1 – TM 37146
2 – PM 37591
3 – PM 33375
4 – TM 37392
5 – PM 37583
6 – PM 37374
7 – TM 37740
Tract Map 37740 Conditions
Tract Map 37740 Bonds
Tract Map 37740 Fee Letter
Presentation
Development Entitlement Process Workshop Series ● Page 2