LAKE COUNTY >> The county is working on updating the Zoning Ordinance Matrix and permit uses for each category. The project is intended to provide a clearer idea of what is required for each zone.
County staff members are being assisted in this effort by Matrix Design, a consulting firm with particular focus on clarifying permits necessary for the different land use allowed under the ordinance.
Bob Massarelli, Lake County Community Development Director said they are trying to build a committee with representatives from different departments to provide comments, ask questions and smooth out the process of permit applications.
“What we’re trying to do is improve the coordination among all the other departments,” Massarelli said. “The committee process will formalize and help streamline the process while people get input from the departments.”
A zoning ordinance defines appropriate use of land, including residential, commercial and agricultural. The plan takes advantage of infrastructure and terrain. The county is addressing the Zoning Matrix now in order to coordinate with changes that are happening on the state level.
The most notable change involves the legalization of marijuana in California, which necessitates revisions in Article 72 of the county zoning ordinance.
As it stands, individual county departments are responsible for permits, depending upon the location and purpose. The new set up will bring in recommendations from other departments that may be impacted. In addition, sections of the Zoning Ordinance Matrix are being adjusted to create fewer categories and greater organization in the ordinance. The staff has also adopted ideas picked up from neighboring counties.
The permitting process can be difficult to navigate. In the current ordinance, there are combining districts and designation districts. Within these, there are a total of seven combined categories — and each of these have their own subcategories.
Approval of the will be completed once the Planning Division makes changes to any recommendations given to them by the public and Planning Commission.
Planning Commissioner Chair Bob Malley said it would be good to bring both the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission together to review the Zoning Ordinance update so that way both entities can be on the same page.
“This is not going to be the last time you’re going to see this,” Massarelli said.
