Planning commission recommends sign‑ordinance change, advises title change for building official

Woodland Hills planning staff reported several items reviewed and recommended by the planning commission for city council consideration.

The planning commission recommended an amendment to the city sign ordinance to allow city‑approved signage in public right‑of‑ways, subject to administrative approval by the Community Development Director. Staff said the change would enable temporary city‑sponsored signs (for example, to promote Woodland Hills Days) while preserving the discretion to limit commercial advertising in right‑of‑way locations.

Staff also described a state regulatory change that increased qualification requirements for the city’s designated building official. Because the city’s current building‑official scope does not meet the state’s updated requirements, staff recommended changing the job title in city code to “Community Development Director” and arranging for a qualified third party — identified in discussion as Sunrise (a contractor with certified staff) — to issue certificates of occupancy, temporary certificates and completion certificates as needed. The council was asked to review the ordinance changes and return them for formal consideration in a subsequent meeting.

In other items, planning staff reported the planning commission approved a one‑year renewal of a conditional‑use permit for a Summer Creek sales office (the accessory building used as a sales office near the mailboxes). Staff noted the applicant’s renewal application was late; planning staff granted a six‑month term consistent with administrative timelines and recommended council approval of the renewal.

Planning staff also presented updated bonding estimates for two developers that remain under the city’s older subdivision ordinance (Bellevue and Summit Creek) and asked councilors to review the engineer‑reviewed estimates before formal action.