City Council eliminates planning commission from dance permit approval process

Woodland Hills City Council has made a significant change to its permit approval process, aiming to streamline operations and reduce wait times for residents. During the meeting on April 8, 2025, council members voted to remove the planning commission from the approval process for certain permits, transferring authority directly to the city.

The decision was driven by concerns that the planning commission's monthly meeting schedule was causing delays in permit approvals. Council members noted that waiting up to 60 days for permits, such as dance permits, was unfair to applicants. By shifting the responsibility to the city, which can act more swiftly, the council hopes to enhance efficiency and responsiveness.

This change means that the city will designate who will approve these permits, potentially allowing for quicker decisions. The council emphasized that this adjustment is intended to better serve the community's needs and improve overall satisfaction with the permitting process.

In addition to this key decision, the meeting included discussions on other administrative matters, but the permit approval change stood out as a clear action aimed at benefiting residents. As the city moves forward with this new approach, it is expected to foster a more agile and accessible permitting environment for Woodland Hills.