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Planning Department - Development Review Process
Developing in our City? We want to help your
project be a success, one which you and the City can be proud
of. This information is intended to take the mystery out of
working with the City and help you understand the Development
Review process. The more familiar you are with the City and
our process, the more prepared you will be and the better able
we will be to guide your application to a successful completion.
Why is There a Review Process?
When Rancho Cucamonga became a city in 1977,
it did so to establish a strong local planning foundation and
to develop standards
intended to promote quality development. It is the intent
of the City to provide the highest quality environment
for the community. This philosophy is embodied in the Development
Review process. Therefore, a professional, well thought-out
submittal is important to the success of any project. Although
the process contains many steps, it is devised in such
a
way that most reviews are done concurrently to expedite
the project. City staff is committed to helping the applicant
as much as possible to develop a successful proposal. Click here to see the Process Flowchart.
back to top When do I need Development Review?
Development Review approval is required for
construction or modification of all commercial, industrial,
institutional
structures and residential projects with five or more dwelling
units which meet any of the following criteria:
Reconstruction projects
which are equal to 50% of the floor area of existing
on-site building(s), or have a
minimum
10,000 square feet in size.
Projects involving a substantial
change or intensification of land use, such as the conversion
of an existing
building to a restaurant, or the conversion of
a residential structure
to an office or commercial use.
- Residential construction involving four (4)
or less dwelling units are subject to review by Design
Review Committee
upon referral
by the Planning Director.
- Subdivision maps (the division
of land into five (5) or more parcels).
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Design Guidelines The City of Rancho Cucamonga has a very comprehensive
Development Review process because of the emphasis on obtaining
the highest
design quality. Design guideline handouts are available
from the Planning Department to assist you and your design professional
team in addition to those policies and development regulations
found in the General Plan, Development Code, specific plans
and community plans. The Planning Department can show you
examples
of successfully designed projects.
back to top Who Will Review?
The processing of a project is the responsibility of the Community
Development Department which includes three divisions: Building & Safety,
Engineering/Public Works, and Planning. In order to facilitate
review, one staff member from each department is assigned to
work with you throughout the process.
Committees have been established to address major development
issues and technical problems prior to Planning Commission
review. Your project will be carefully reviewed by the following
Review Committees:
Other service agencies may be involved
in reviewing your project, including but not limited to,
the Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD),
Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District, Rancho Cucamonga
Police Department, local school districts, and Caltrans.
back to top What Happens Once You Apply?
The first step is when City staff reviews
the application, plans and information for completeness.
The applicant
is notifed within 30 days after submittal whether the
application is complete for processing.
The Development Review process consists
of two parts:
- Conceptual Review and Approval: The review of plans
for zoning compliance (land use, setbacks, parking, access,
coverage), design
review (architecture, site planning, landscaping, grading),
and environmental review (assessing the impact of project
upon the environment). It is at this stage that the Community
Development Department and service agencies (water, sewer,
police, fire, schools) review your conceptual development
plans. Any major problems of design, land use, or service
should be resolved prior to the Planning Commission. If
historic structures are involved, then the project will
also be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission.
- Construction and Grading Plans Check: The detailed technical
review or working construction drawings in accordance with
building and
fire codes, City standards, and conditions of approval.
This
step is the prelude to building permit issuance and inspections
as construction proceeds.
back to top What if Application is Incomplete?
The Planning Department will notify the
applicant whether the application is complete within 30
days after submittal.
If deemed incomplete, a letter will be mailed listing
the missing information or corrections needed to the
plans. The letter will also identify non-conformities
with development standards and major design issues.
Further processing of your project cannot begin until complete
plans are resubmitted.
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Who Makes Decision?
Planning Commission Review: Development/Design Review applications, which meet any of the following criteria, shall require review and consideration by the Planning Commission:
- Any project being proposed along a Special Boulevard as defined by the General Plan, except for structures within projects with an approved master plan;
-
All projects which are master planned. Once the master plan, including architectural guidelines, has been approved by the Planning Commission, individual structures may be approved by the City Planner;
-
All residential subdivisions (tract maps and parcel
maps);
-
All shopping centers, except individual structures may be approved by the City Planner where a master plan, including architectural guidelines, has been approved by the Planning Commission;
- Any project requiring an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS);
- All projects of more than ten acres of land;
- Certain projects within a hillside area are subject to review pursuant to Section 17.24.020(B) of the Development Code;
- All projects within Mixed Use Districts.
Planning Director Review: Development/Design Review applications, which do not require Planning Commission review, as described above, shall be subject to review and approval by the Planning Director. Although, if in the opinion of the Planning Director the application involves unusual site development requirements or unique operating characteristics, or raises questions of development policy substantially more significant than generally pertain to applications for development review and which require Planning Commission consideration, the Planning Director may refer the application to the Planning Commission.
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Appeals
- Planning Director: Any action of the Planning Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission. Appeals
must be submitted
in writing to the Secretary of the Planning Commission,
together with the appeal fee, within 10 calendar days
of the decision.
- Planning Commission: Decisions of the
Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council.
Appeals must be
submitted in writing to the City Clerk, together
with the appeal
fee, within 10 calendar days of the decision.
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