Planning and zoning: permitted use: community clinic.

The Planning and Zoning Law, among other things, authorizes a development proponent to submit an application for a housing development that is subject to a specified streamlined, ministerial approval process not subject to a conditional use permit, if the development satisfies certain objective planning standards. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA does not apply to the approval of ministerial projects. This bill would make a development that meets specified objective planning standards, including that, among other things, it is on a parcel that is within a zone where office, retail, health care, or parking are a principally permitted use, a permitted use and would require a local agency to review an application for that development on an administrative, nondiscretionary basis. The bill would require a local agency, within 60 calendar days of receiving an application pursuant to these provisions, to approve or deny the application subject to specified requirements, including that, among other things, if the local agency determines that the development is in conflict with any of the above-described standards, the local agency is required to provide the development proponent written documentation of which standard or standards the development conflicts with, as specified. The bill would provide that a development eligible for approval pursuant to this process is not a "project" for purposes of CEQA, thereby expanding the exemption for ministerial approval of projects under CEQA. By increasing duties on local governments in reviewing and approving these developments, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize a development proponent to bring an action to enforce the bill's provisions, as specified, and would make its provisions enforceable by the Attorney General and provide the Attorney General an unconditional right to intervene to enforce the bill's provisions. The bill would define various terms for these purposes. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.