SR 04-23-2019 3F
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 23, 2019
Agenda Item: 3.F
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director, City Planning
Subject: Approval of Planning Commission Mission Statement
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Council endorse a revised Mission Statement for the Planning
Commission.
Summary
Throughout California, volunteer citizens are appointed to serve on local Planning
Commissions at the City and County levels. The Santa Monica Planning Commission
was established in its current form upon adoption of the City Charter by the voters in
1946 and upon adoption of Resolution No. 12 (CCS) by the City Council on April 8,
1947. Per Charter Section 1008, the Planning Commission has the following powers
and duties:
(a) After a public hearing thereon, recommend to the City Council the adoption,
amendment or repeal of the Master Plan, or any part thereof, for the physical
development of the City;
(b) Exercise such control over land subdivisions as is granted to it by the
governing body of the City and by the laws of the State of California;
(c) Make recommendations concerning proposed public works and for the
clearance and rebuilding of blighted or substandard areas within the City; and
(d) Exercise such functions with respect to zoning as may be prescribed by
ordinance.
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Staff research suggests that upon appointing the first members of the Planning
Commission in 1947, the City Council also endorsed the following Statement of Purpose
(Mission Statement) for the Planning Commission:
"To promote the health, safety and general welfare by encouraging the most
appropriate use of land; provide adequate open spaces for light and air; prevent
undue concentrations of population; lessen congestion on streets; facilitate
adequate provisions for community utilities and facilities such as transportation,
water, sewage, schools, parks and other public requirements; and, designate,
regulate and restrict the location and use of buildings, structures and land for
residents, commerce, trade, industry and other purposes."
The Planning Commission recently prepared an updated Mission Statement to reflect
the Commission’s 21st century mission and goals linked to wellbeing, place-making, and
sustainability.
Discussion
On March 15, 2018, the Planning Commission discussed ideas for a new mission
statement that more accurately reflects the Commission’s work, values, and priorities on
behalf of the Santa Monica community. A Commission subcommittee developed a
recommended the following Mission Statement that was presented and adopted by the
Planning Commission at its August 15, 2018 meeting:
"The Planning Commission envisions Santa Monica as a city of wellbeing,
sustainability, and equity, and seeks to balance the many needs and
priorities within our community in accordance with the City’s General Plan
and Specific Plans. The Commission acts through open and civil
discourse that is informed by public input, impartial analysis, and best
practices in land use and planning."
The Planning Commission unanimously approved the recommended Mission Statement
because it describes the Commission’s objective in improving quality of life and
community well-being through its land use decisions informed by community
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engagement and best practices regarding sustainability and city planning. Therefore,
staff recommends the Council endorse this updated Planning Commission Mission
Statement so that it may be memorialized as part of the Commission’s guidance going
forward.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared By: Roxanne Tanemori, Principal Planner
Approved
Forwarded to Council