Development Services Department
In addition to providing staff support to the Planning Commission, Redevelopment Agency and Business Development Task Force, the Department is responsible for current planning, advance planning, economic development, code enforcement, building and safety and works closely with the Downtown Merchants’ Association, the Chamber of Commerce and regional committees. The Director administers the Housing and Community Development Act and 20% Set-aside programs and prepares the department budget.
Current Planning
This includes meeting with prospective developers to explain City codes and to review proposed projects. Staff relays information to the public over the counter and on the telephone, reviews building permit applications for compliance with the City code, and enforces the zoning code. Initial studies and EIR’s are reviewed and negative declarations prepared. Staff assists in the processing of development applications through City departments, Planning Commission and City Council via comment sheets, staff reports, and oral presentations. The weed abatement and oil well inspection programs plus field check of business license activities are included.
Advance Planning
This includes presentation of potential general plan updates of the mandatory elements to the Planning Commission and also receives input from citizen advisory committees. Also, preparation of code amendments, specific plans, and a demographic profile based on census data are provided on an ongoing basis. Requests for financial assistance from the Redevelopment Agency are reviewed with the Business Development Task Force. Staff also prepares staff reports for the Agency, the Business Development Task Force and the Historical Committee. Air quality management and growth management are also handled.
HCDA
This division prepares the annual HCDA application and progress report, works with
Building and Safety
The primary activities of Building and Safety include building code adoption, plan checking, permit issuance, code enforcement, maintaining permit and plan files, conducting building inspections and other inspections (water well and mobile home park).the Neighborhood Housing Committee and coordinates all HCDA contracts through City departments and the County. Staff processes requests for low-interest housing rehab loans for single-family houses, rental units and mobile homes. This includes getting an estimate of costs, helping the applicant get bids, filling out bank applications, monitoring contractors and releasing payments.
Placentia Redevelopment Agency
The Placentia Redevelopment Agency was created in 1983 and expanded in 1990 and 1994 to now include over 278 arces, primarily in the southwest portion of the City. The City Council serves as the Redevelopment Agency Board of Direcotrs. The Redevelopment Agency uses tax increment revenues to make public improvements, create and maintain affordable housing, and generally remove blight from within the project area.
