Site Development Permit Process in the City of Concord

A site development permit is required for improvements to any applicable property, in addition to any other necessary planning permits such as a subdivision, use permit, or design review. Applicants must submit a site-specific hydrologic study and grading and improvement plans to the planning division for review and approval to ensure the project meets all development standards.

Overview of the Site Development Permit Process

In the City of Concord, a site development permit serves as a regulatory mechanism to ensure that improvements on specific properties align with the city's development code, particularly concerning creek and riparian habitat protection. This permit process is distinct from, and in addition to, other planning permits that may be required for a project, such as design review, use permits, or subdivision approvals [Section 18.305.030].

Application Requirements

To initiate the site development permit process, the applicant must provide comprehensive documentation to the City of Concord planning division:

• Hydrologic Study: A site-specific study prepared by a hydrologist, civil engineer, or other qualified professional, which has been approved by the City of Concord. This study must identify:
  • The precise location of the waterway centerline.
  • The boundary and top of the bank of the waterway.
  • The boundary of the 100-year floodplain.
• Grading and Improvement Plans: These must be submitted concurrently with the hydrologic study [Section 18.305.030].

Waivers and Exceptions

The requirement for a site-specific hydrologic study may be waived by the City of Concord city engineer if it is determined that:

• The project, due to its size, location, or design, will not have a significant impact on the waterway.
• Sufficient information already exists, and further analysis is not necessary [Section 18.305.030].

Review and Decision

The City of Concord planning division and/or the city engineer will review the submitted plans for compliance with all applicable development standards. Once the city has verified that the proposed improvements align with the city’s development code, and if required, additional conditions of approval may be imposed by the review authority [Section 18.305.040, Section 18.305.050].

The approval of a site development permit will generally require the property owner to enter into a city-approved maintenance agreement. This agreement ensures that the improvements are maintained continuously in compliance with the conditions of approval in accordance with city requirements for performance guarantees and property maintenance [Section 18.305.060].

Sections Cited

• Section 18.305.030 (Hydrologic study)
• Section 18.305.040 (Development standards)
• Section 18.305.050 (Application, review, and hearing)
• Section 18.305.060 (Property maintenance agreements)