TITLE
Recommendation to direct City Attorney and Department of Development Services to propose amendments to Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 21.21 that will enhance public noticing and transparency while reducing unnecessary costs imposed on businesses by out-of-date, discretionary and less effective noticing, and refer said amendments to the Planning Commission, in support of Business Development.
DISCUSSION
Mayor Garcia and the City Council have demonstrated a strong commitment to growing our economic development efforts citywide. As part of the City's economic development plan we will need to support the businesses that have made Long Beach their home. We also need to support effective communication between business applicants and their neighbors by utilizing technology to enhance our processes and reduce costs.
After meeting with several business owners and having discussions with the Economic Development and Development Services departments, we feel changes in the public hearing noticing process will support business growth, enhance communication and increasing transparency to residents.
Zone changes, Conditional Use Permits, Administrative Use Permits and other land use matters are detailed in Long Beach Municipal Code sections 21.21.302, 304 and 306. The out-dated noticing requirements contribute to the overall cost of a discretionary permit, often contributing a $1,000 in overall costs. By resetting the noticing requirements to be consistent with State law and adding a modem electronic noticing requirement, we can reduce permit costs, increase efficiency, increase access and improve service
Request the City Attorney to work with the Department of Development Services to amend LBMC 21.21 to reset the noticing requirements for all public hearings with the goal of reducing the mailing costs associated with these applications, and to refer the matter to the Planning Commission for their consideration. Part of this effort will reset the noticing requi...
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