HomeMy WebLinkAboutElimination of Two Staff Level Committees - Environmental As ArmovED -o
City of Huntington Beach
File #: 21-242 MEETING DATE: 3/15/2021
Submitted by Councilmember Kalmick - Elimination of two staff level committees -
Environmental Assessment Committee (EAC) and Subdivision Committee
I recommend that the City Council direct staff to prepare the ordinances and/or resolutions necessary
to comply with relevant State law to eliminate both the EAC and the Subdivision Committee and to
roll those existing functions into the appropriate review body.
City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 3/10/2021
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING —COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DAN KALMICK, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
DATE: MARCH 15, 2021
SUBJECT: ELIMINATION OF TWO STAFF LEVEL COMMITTEES — ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE AND SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE
BACKGROUND
As part of the City Council's 2021 Strategic Planning workshop held on January 5, 2021, one of
the approved goals involved assessing the City's overall structure for its boards and commissions.
In line with that identified objective, there are two committees that I believe can be eliminated
quickly, which if approved would help to streamline existing City processes while also cutting red
tape for those looking to develop or redevelop their properties.
The Environmental Assessment Committee (EAC) — not to be confused with the Environmental
Board — is comprised of one staff member each from the Community Development Department,
Public Works Department, and the City Attorney's Office. The EAC typically examines a project
very early in the process so that the appropriate CECLA document and public review period can
be advertised prior to action by the higher decision-making body. However, such a determination
is wholly made by staff via existing regulations and does not need to be coordinated through an
additional formalized EAC process.
The Subdivision Committee (which I served on as a Planning Commissioner, and which I attended
a few times during the past eight years) consists of three Planning Commissioners and a
representative from the Fire, Public Works, and Planning Departments. The body reviews each
tentative map for compliance with the Subdivision Map Act, as well as City standards and policies.
The Committee is advisory only and in my experience has been a pro forma body. If eliminated,
any approvals currently considered by the Subdivision Committee could be rolled into reviews by
the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Commission, and/or the City Council.
Eliminating both committees would streamline the entitlement process by eliminating several
currently required steps.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
I recommend that the City Council direct staff to prepare the ordinances and/or resolutions
necessary to comply with relevant State law to eliminate both the EAC and the Subdivision
Committee and to roll those existing functions into the appropriate review body.