Certain land use actions are required to be reviewed for their potential effect on the environment under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  If your project requires this review, you will be notified by staff.  A separate fee is required for environmental review.  Upon review of your application, staff will make one of the following three determinations regarding environmental review:

1. That the project will not have a significant impact on the environment; or
2. That the project could have a significant impact on the environment but that certain mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project to preclude the impacts; or
3. That the project could have a significant effect on the environment and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) must be prepared.  To the extent possible, environmental review of your project will occur concurrently with processing of the C.U.P. or Variance, however, if an EIR is necessary, action on the permit will be deferred.  For more information on environmental review, please ask staff.  Please note that many projects requiring a C.U.P. or Variance are exempt from environmental review.  Check with staff to make sure.

After the application is determined to be complete, staff will schedule a public hearing before the Planning Commission.  By law, staff must mail notice of the project to surrounding property owners.

At the public hearing the Planning Commission will hear a report from the staff and from any interested members of the public (including the applicant).  The Planning Commission may move to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the project.  In order to approve a C.U.P. the Planning Commission must make the following findings:

1.  That the proposed establishment, maintenance and operation of the use applied for will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare of the persons residing or working in the neighborhood of such proposed use, or whether it will be injurious or detrimental to property and improvements in the neighborhood or the City.

2.  That the proposed use is consistent with the Exeter General Plan.

3.  That the environmental document prepared as per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has been considered prior to a decision.

4.  That the site for the proposed use is adequate in size, shape and location to accommodate the use as it relates to the district for which the use is proposed.

In order to approve a Variance, the Planning Commission must make the following findings:

1.  That any variance permit granted shall be subject to such conditions as will assure that the adjustment authorized shall not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity and district in which the subject property is situated.

2.  That because of special circumstances applicable to the property, including size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, the strict application of the zoning law is found to deprive subject property of privileges enjoyed by other properties in the vicinity and under identical zone classification.

3.  That the granting of the variance permit will not be contrary to the intent of this ordinance or to the public safety, health and welfare or injurious to other properties in the vicinity.

4.  A variance has not been granted for a use or activity which is not authorized by the zone regulations governing the parcel of property.

5.  A variance shall not be granted on economic grounds.

The decision of the Planning Commission on a C.U.P. or Variance is final unless appealed to the City Council.  Upon approval of a C.U.P or Variance, the applicant may proceed to apply for building permits (if necessary).