§ 128.0103 — Powers and Duties of the Planning Director in Implementing Environmental Quality Procedures

§128.0103 Powers and Duties of the Planning Director in Implementing Environmental Quality Procedures

The Planning Director shall be responsible for implementing this article. (a) The Planning Director shall have the following powers as required for all projects or activities as defined by CEQA, whether proposed by private applicants, the City, or other public agencies: (1) To conduct environmental reviews including a determination of the information required to perform the review; (2) To issue administrative guidelines consistent with CEQA, the State CEQA Guidelines, current case law, and City Council policy; (3) To determine environmental significance based on applicable administrative guidelines; (4) To determine the type of environmental document required; (5) To prepare environmental documents as required by this article, CEQA, and the State CEQA Guidelines; (6) To implement any three-party agreement or memorandum of understanding used for preparation of an environmental document and to set standards to help ensure that only qualified environmental consultants prepare these documents; (7) To ensure to the maximum extent possible, that before public review, all environmental documents incorporate the latest pertinent technical or scientific information and are factually accurate and consistent; and (8) To help ensure that applicants incorporate all required environmental mitigation measures or project alternatives as adopted by the decision makers to minimize, if not preclude, adverse impacts to the environment from the project, consistent with CEQA. (b) The Planning Director shall establish and maintain that degree of independence in the performance of these functions and duties as will assure the City Council, the City Manager, the Planning Commission, and the people of the City of San Diego that the review and analysis of the environmental consequences of projects, are in accordance with CEQA, are independent and wholly objective, and are not prepared for the purpose of either supporting or detracting from any project, plan, or position, whether advanced by the City, any other governmental agency, or private interest.

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.) (Retitled to “Powers and Duties of the Development Services Director in Implementing Environmental Quality Procedures” and amended 12-6-1999 by O-18728 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 11-28-2005 by O-19444 N.S.; effective 2-9-2006.) (Retitled to “Powers and Duties of the Planning Director in Implementing Environmental Quality Procedures“ and amended 2-12-2014 by O-20348 N.S.; effective 3-14-2014.)