PLANNING DEPARTMENT
MISSION STATEMENT: To make West Covina a positive, interesting, and
enjoyable place in which to live and work, stressing the maintenance and
development of stable neighborhoods and a strong business community, while
providing professional customer service to residents and business operators.
The planning department
provides professional
assistance to the
Planning Commission
and City Council in
decision-making efforts involving the
physical development of the City. The
department strives to improve the City's
environment for all segments of the
community, both residential and
commercial, by vigorous adherence to the
principles of good design, and applicable
codes and regulations.
The department is currently staffed by seven
full-time positions, which maintain liaisons
with other cities and planning agencies to
address problems of mutual concern
consistent with reasonable and sound
planning practices. The functions of the
department encompass comprehensive
advance planning through the maintenance
of the General Plan and specific plans of the
City. The current planning function is
implemented through the application of the
City's zoning code.
In addition, there is a transportation
planning function that is responsible for
assuring compliance with applicable
regional, state and federal transportation,
and air quality mandates.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
FY 2005-2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Prepared and processed 14 zone code
amendments and zone changes.
- Processed 80 development applications
through the Planning Commission,
including conditional use permits,
general plan amendments, planned
community developments, precise plans,
variances, zone changes, and tentative
tract and parcel maps.
- Processed 192 administrative
applications including, temporary use
permits, special event permits,
administrative modifications, planning
director's modifications, slight
modifications, and film permits.
- Completed 214 building, grading, and
landscape plan checks.
- Completed processing and approval of
residential and commercial development
projects. Residential development
includes a 24-unit McIntyre
Development project (1838 E. Workman
Avenue), a 20-unit small lot single-
family subdivision by Olson (Sunset
Avenue and Francisquito Avenue), and a
7-lot subdivision (1007 S. Orange
Avenue). Major commercial
development projects processed include
a remodel and addition of a three-story
parking structure at Crestview Cadillac,
a five-story Fairfield Inn (3211 E.
Garvey Avenue North), a 45,000-square
foot health facility for East Valley
Community Health Center (420 S.
Glendora Avenue), a 6,000-square foot
retail building (1001 W. Amar Road), a
2,000-square foot Starbucks building
(101 N. Barranca Street), and an 80,000-
square foot automotive service center for
servicing Mercedes vehicles (1829 E.
Garvey Avenue North). In addition, the
department has processed a park master
plan amendment for a new park called
Aroma Park. Code amendments have
been approved regarding backup space
requirements for vehicles in residential
areas and Art in Public Places.
FY 2006-2008 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Provide excellent customer service.
- Respond to all questions and
inquiries in a polite, courteous
manner
- Look for answers. If the first answer
is "no," look for alternatives that will
get to "yes"
Provide prompt, thorough, and objective
processing of all permits, entitlements,
and projects
- Identify issues, concerns, and
corrections early in the review
process
- Critically evaluate and review
projects in terms of creating a
positive project design
Provide quality professionally support
and assistance to other departments
Prepare long-range plans and programs
to enhance the living environment and
economic base of West Covina
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
AUTHORIZED POSITIONS
BUDGET ISSUES
A planning assistant position was eliminated
in the 2004-2005 budget. In the 2005-2006
budget a limited service position (planning
intern) was added to assist in customer
service response and case file processing.
The department has two clerical positions
and therefore efficiency of the clerical
support is impacted when one of those
positions uses discretionary leave time.
ACTIVITY TREE
BUDGET SUMMARY
|