COSTA MESA
Mayor Gary Monahan is calling for a review of the appeal process used by the City Council, saying it can result in costly delays for developers and business owners. Monahan will ask the council Monday to take a closer look at the way Planning Commission and zoning administrator decisions are appealed. “I want to formulate and tighten the process we have now,” he said.
In some instances the process is quite lengthy, which concerns Monahan because the zoning administrator was given authority over minor conditional-use permits to help speed up the development process. Appeals also must be submitted in writing, but over the years some appeals have been taken over the phone, resulting in lax procedures, Monahan said.
A draft ordinance related to the appeal process will be reviewed by the council Monday. It would allow appeals that normally go to the Planning Commission first to go directly to the council instead, said Tom Wood, assistant city attorney. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. in chambers, 77 Fair Drive.
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