Development and Circulation Committee

The Development and Circulation Committee (DCC) is an advisory committee consisting of citizens-at-large and is established to advise the City Council on proposed developments for their consistency with the City Code Chapter 44 (the “Zoning Code”) and the General Plan. The Development and Circulation Committee also acts in advisory capacity on all matters within City Code Chapter 40 (“Vehicles and Traffic”) and the Circulation Element of the General Plan. Topics include receiving complaints relating to traffic matters; surveying, reviewing, and making recommendations relative to traffic conditions, improvement of traffic conditions, and the administration and enforcement of traffic regulations; surveying, reviewing, and recommending plans for improved parking. The Development and Circulation Committee is the approval authority for single family residential Precise Plan Amendments and Master Sign Programs.

Meetings

Second Monday of every even-numbered Month (February, April, June, August, October, December) at 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
7822 Walker Street

Special Meetings may be held on the second Monday of odd numbered months (January, March, May, July, September, and November) or at other dates and times as are deemed necessary in order to carry out the business of the Development and Circulation Committee. The Development and Circulation Committee may also hold Emergency Meetings, as defined in the California Government Code, on an as needed basis.

Agendas and Minutes

As this is a combined committee, below are the Development and Traffic Safety Committee's agendas from the past along with the Development and Circulation Committee's agendas. All minutes can be obtained by contacting the City Clerk.

Development and Circulation Agendas (Established February 2017)
Development Committee Agendas (Dissolved in February 2017)
Traffic Safety Committee Agendas (Dissolved in February 2017)

Membership and Terms

The Development and Circulation Committee shall consist of seven(7) members who are residents of the City of La Palma and shall be appointed by the City Council. Each member serves a four-year term and is eligible to be reappointed by City Council for consecutive four-year terms.

Current Development and Circulation Committee Members:

  • Rodi Almendralo (Chair)
  • Willie Ortega (Vice Chair)
  • Sergio Alvarez
  • Jan Jensen
  • Henry Lee
  • Vincent Luu
  • Greg Sambrano

Powers and Duties

Pursuant to Ordinance 2017-01 of the city of La Palma, the Development and Circulation Committee shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To review proposed projects for consistency with the Circulation and Infrastructure Element of the General Plan; and

(b) To recommend to the City Council ways and means for improving transportation, transit, and circulation conditions and matters in Chapter 40 “Vehicles and Traffic” of the City Code; and

(c) To advise the City Council on matters affecting the review, study, evaluation, design, and installation of traffic control devices in compliance with the Guidelines and Warrants of the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD.)

(d) To advise the City Council on matters affecting accessibility, parking, and transportation modes, including pedestrian, bicycle, and automobiles on all public rights-of-way and paths within the city limits of the City of La Palma; and

(e) To perform the duties and functions prescribed in Chapter 44, including reviewing, making recommendations, or making determinations on applications for development projects in compliance with Table IV-1; and

(f) To advise the City Council and perform such advisory duties and functions relating to planning, land use, transportation and circulation issues as the City Council may direct; and

(g) The Development and Circulation Committee shall also serve as the board of appeals related to disputes concerning the building stands code.

Appointments and Vacancies

Committee members may be appointed for two four-year terms and appointments are made when a vacancy arises on the committee. The City Council reviews applications for committee vacancies and interviews applicants prior to making appointments. The advertising of upcoming vacancies may occur prior to the actual expiration of a committee member's term, in an effort to fill vacancies as close as possible to the expiration date. Application for the Development and Circulation Committee are available online or at City Hall.