Discussion of Potential Changes to the Existing Planning Division Fee Structure for Variance Applications and Direction to City Staff. City of Culver City California Agenda Item Report Item Number: A 4 Meeting Date: 09/09/13 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Discussion of Potential Changes to the Existing Planning Division Fee Structure for Variance Applications and Direction to City Staff. Contact Person/Dept.: Sol Blumenfeld Fiscal Impact: Yes X No Public Hearing: Commission Action Required: Yes No X Date: _______________ Public Notification: (E Mail) Meetings and Agendas (09/04/13); Mr. Baker (09/04/13) Department Approval: Sol Blumenfeld (09/04/13) Chief Financial Officer Approval: Jeff Muir (09/04/13) City Attorney Approval: Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (09/04/13) City Manager Approval: John Nachbar (09/04/13) Phone Number: (310) 253 5702 General Fund: Yes X No Attachments: Action Item: X RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council discuss potential changes to the existing Planning Division fee structure for variance applications and provide direction to staff. BACKGROUND The City Council received a request from Mr. David Baker through his attorney to approve a fee waiver for an application for a variance from residential development standards for his property located at 4272 Jackson Avenue ( Subject Property ) based on financial hardship (See Attachment No. 1).1 In response to Mr. Baker s request the City Council directed staff to provide an analysis of variance fees in order to determine if a request such as Mr. Baker s justifies lowering the current fee of $17 832. The merits of Mr. Baker s variance application request are not the subject of this report. DISCUSSION Processing a variance is a labor intensive procedure that requires a public hearing and significant staff resources and research. Consistent with State law the criteria to approve a variance are based upon four mandatory findings related to the unique physical conditions of the property which do not ap...
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