Since 2018, discretionary permit applications that the Planning Commission or City Council reviews have been subject to Council Policy No. 84 - Development Project Public Involvement. This policy was updated by the City Council in November 2024 to increase opportunities for public involvement. This policy is intended to ensure that applicants request and consider input from interested and affected stakeholders before a public hearing by the city's decisionmakers. The policy requires public engagement beyond the noticing standards set otherwise by the state or city for qualifying projects. This additional engagement requires project applicants to provide interested and affected stakeholders key project details and/or provide additional ways to submit input.

The city has prepared an Informational Bulletin (IB-184) to provide applicants and the public with an overview of which projects qualify for early/enhanced public outreach and what each level of engagement includes.

The city has also prepared a series of forms and templates to assist applicants in meeting their obligations under Council Policy No. 84. Below are links to each of the 10 templates:

T-1: Sample Early Public Notice 

T-2: List of Sign Companies

T-3: Project Notice Sign

T-4: Early Public Notification Documentation Affidavit

T-5: Enhanced Public Engagement Affidavit

T-6: Sample Enhanced Public Engagement Notice

T-7: Sample Enhanced Public Engagement Meeting Sign-in Sheet

T-8: Sample Comment Card

T-9: Enhanced Public Engagement Report

T-10: Sample Public Outreach Meeting Notice

This policy does not affect public hearing and other legally-required notices as well as existing city-sponsored email subscription lists.

In addition, for those projects subject to the Enhanced Public Engagement requirements, the city will publish applicant contact information in its Pending Planning Applications Report to facilitate initial communication between interested persons and the project applicant.

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