Department Information

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Contacting Staff: General City Information

Community Development Department

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The Community Development Department is comprised of the following divisions:

  1. Planning - This function encompasses both current and advanced planning activities. Current planning is the processing of the day-to-day applications for the Planning Commission's agenda, as well as the steady stream of counter and telephone contact with the public. The contact ranges from zoning and land use questions to complaints regarding nuisances on other people's property. The advanced planning activities revolve around the General Plan of the City and review of the plans of the state, region, county and of other cities in our area.

  2. Community Workshop #1 - General Plan Land Use Element Update
    When: Monday, May 12, 2008, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
    Where: City Council Chambers, 154 South 8th Street
    Topic: The City is seeking public comments as we update the Land Use Element of our General Plan document.
    Facilitator: Design Community & Environment (DC&E)

  3. Community Development Block Grant -This program is intended to manage the federally-funded Community Block Grant Program (CDBG). The CDBG provides a continuing stream of funds aimed at providing housing and/or economic assistance to the low- and moderate-income families of our community.

  4. Notice - Public Workshops and Tentative Calendar of Review Dates.
  5. 2008 Grant Funding Applications
    Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
    Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) Program
    Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program

    For more information, please contact the Housing and Economic Development Division of the San Luis Obispo County Planning and Building Department.

  6. Building Inspection - This program's responsibility includes the issuance of building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and other permits. This program is also responsible for the checking of all construction plans to ensure compliance with applicable uniform codes. It includes the inspection of existing structures for unsafe and/or dilapidated conditions and initiates condemnations where warranted.

  7. Facilities Maintenance - This program is responsible for providing the overall maintenance of the City's Community Center, Ramona Garden Park Center, and all City park facilities. The goal of this program is to provide neat, clean, safe, well maintained and attractive facilities.

  8. Street Construction/Repair - The Street Program maintains, repairs and rebuilds as required, all streets, curbs, gutters and sidewalks. This program installs and maintains street signs, traffic control devices, all warning and informational signs and street surface painting. It is jointly responsible for the street lights along with Pacific, Gas & Electric Company. This program pays for the energy cost and new installations while Pacific, Gas & Electric Company owns and maintains the fixtures.

  9. City Shop/Corporation Yard - The Shop/Yard houses the maintenance divisions of Community Development's Public Works functions. The principle responsibility is the maintenance of all city vehicles and equipment. A full-service garage is provided at the Corporation Yard, along with work and storage facilities for various other programs such as Parks/Facilities Maintenance, Waste Water System, Street Maintenance, and Water System.

  10. Utilities - The Waste Water System program is responsible for operating, maintaining, cleaning and repairing the sanitary sewer system. This includes lift stations, mains, and a metering station. The City has joined the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District. The District provides treatment of all effluent.
  11. Water Quality Report
  12. 2005 Urban Water Management Plan - Report - (708 KB File Size)
    Appendices A, B, and C: Resolution No. 06-14, adopted March 6, 2006; Map of Master Water Plan; and Master Water Plan Detail Sheet - (1.52 MB File Size)
    Appendix D: Waste Water Treatment Plant Description - (8.92 MB File Size)
    Appendices E, F, and G: Ordinance No. 92-07 Self Sufficiency of Utility Rates; Preliminary Survey SSLOCSD - Recycled Water Demand; and Gentleman's Agreement - (6.3 MB File Size)
    Appendix H: Resolution No. 89-102 - Landscape Standards - (3.98 MB File Size)
    Appendix I: Resolution No. 05-48 - Master Fee Schedule, adopted July 5, 2005 (effective September 3, 2005) (2.56 MB File Size)
    Appendix J: Resolution No. 06-15 - Water Shortage Contingency Plan - (698 KB File Size)


Community Development Department: (805) 473-4580
General department e-mail: commdev@grover.org

PLANNING DIVISION:
NamePosition
George HansenCommunity Development Director
Lorrie TolesAdministrative/Recording Secretary
Diana Gould-WellsPlanning Manager
Janet ReesePlanner I
Cassandra MesaBuilding/Planning Technician
Lorie InganStaff Assistant

BUILDING AND SAFETY DIVISION:
Answering machine for inspections only (805) 473-4527
Contract Building Inspection/Plan Check services provided through the firm JAS Pacific
Rustin Messenger, Building Official
Howard Conroy, Building Inspector

PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION:
(Division includes 7 Maintenance Worker Positions)
NamePosition
Robert PerraultCity Manager also serves as Public Works Director
Mike FordPublic Works Superintendent
John BarclayPublic Works Supervisor
Jerry RossCity Mechanic

ENGINEERING:
Contract engineering services provided through the firm Garing, Taylor and Associates
Jim Garing, City Engineer
141 South Elm Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Phone: (805) 489-1321
Fax: (805) 489-6723


Requests for Bids, Proposals, and/or Qualifications:

Plans&Drawings.gif - 147867 Bytes The City of Grover Beach invites bids, proposals, and/or requests for qualifications for the following:

South County Transit Hub - Phase I: Notice to Contractors | Deadline: Tues, May 20, 2008; 2:00 p.m.

Longbranch Avenue Affordable Housing Project: Notice to Contractors | RFP Document | Deadline: Mon, March 3, 2008; 4:30 p.m.

Meadow Creek Bridge Replacement and City Storm Drain System Upgrades: Notice to Contractors | Deadline: Wed, February 13, 2008; 2:00 p.m.

Street Rehabilitation Project - Ramona Avenue (North 14th Street to North 16th Street): Notice to Contractors | Deadline: Tue, February 5, 2008; 2:00 p.m.

Street Rehabilitation Project - South 7th Street and Longbranch Avenue: Notice to Contractors | Deadline: Tues, November 27, 2007; 2:00 p.m.

South County Transit Hub and 10th Street Parking Project: Public Notice | RFQ Document | Exhibits | Deadline: Fri, October 26, 2007.

Grover Beach Lodge and Conference Center Project: Announcement | 4-pg Abstract | RFP Document (without Concession Proposal & Questionnaire)| Addenda #1 (11-02-07) | Deadline Has Been Extended to: Monday, January 14, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

Disclaimer: Information regarding Bids, Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) is provided on this website only as a convenience and does not constitute official public notice. Persons wishing to respond to or inquire about Bids, RFPs or RFQs should contact the appropriate City department. There may be other current Bids, RFPs or RFQs which are not listed on this website.

For information on prevailing wages in San Luis Obispo County, please see the California Division of Labor Statistics and Research
Please note: The above links are to files posted to the City website in PDF format. Your computer must have Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to open any file in PDF format.
This software is available for free from www.adobe.com.


Programs

Graffiti Abatement

Capital Improvement Plan - A printed copy of the 5-year CIP is available at the Community Development Department counter. Please contact the Department for further information.

Storefront Improvement Project

Housing Element - The City of Grover Beach is in the process of updating the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan. The Housing Element includes policies and programs designed to meet the housing needs of the City and plan for future residential development. Our thanks to the San Luis Obispo County Housing Trust Fund for hosting this document on their website.

Please contact: commdev@grover.org for additional information on these programs.


Services

Building Permits in 9 easy steps ...

Note: If you are out of the area and are unable to make the trip up to Grover Beach to obtain a building permit, please contact the Community Development Department, at (805) 473-4520, for additional information on how they can help you.

- or -

Permits By Fax ...

The type of improvements that will be allowed by the Permits By Fax program are as follows:

A Permit By Fax form is available on-line. You must have Adobe Acrobat to download any of the files/"Tech Sheets" listed above in PDF format.

Informal Review

Before you do anything official, bring a rough sketch of your lot and ideas to the Community Development Department, and we'll tell you if you're within the parameters of what is allowed. We might also be able to suggest something that will improve your project, as well as assure smoother City processing. This step is optional, but it is a good idea to use it.

It's at this stage that we try to spot the need for architectural review or other additional procedures. If something extra is required, it's better to get it out of the way before you apply for a building permit. That way you can get the City's decision on your concepts before you spend a lot of money on detailed plans that might have to be changed.

When you improve your property, keep in mind that installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk with paveout may be required where there is none currently existing. A street design fee must be paid and completed before a building permit application is accepted, so that the plan reflects the design of the street improvements. It may be necessary to submit a bond payment to ensure completion of the improvements. Further information on this requirement can be obtained from the City's Planning Staff.


Application

You can apply for your building permit as soon as your plans are complete. The application consists of a form plus four (4) copies of your plans. Forms are available at the Community Development Department counter and are filled out and signed by you or your authorized representative. You, the owner, need not apply in person if you have given written authorization to your representative. Otherwise your signature is required on the application. If your plans are complete as outlined below, the form will be easy to fill out.

One of the most important items on the form is a telephone number where we can reach you or your representative during business hours. You should include your number plus a number for the designer and/or contractor. The important thing is to give us a working phone where we can reach a reliable source for information about your project, and where we can call to tell you your plans have been checked or your permit is ready. Don't give us your home phone number if no one is there during the day.

When you turn the application in to the Community Development Department, you will need to submit four (4) copies of your plans. The types of plans and number of copies vary as follows:

Remember that a site plan drawn to scale will have to show your entire lot and all buildings, plus off-street parking spaces and all trees and their exact locations. Be sure to include the owner's name and the street address of the project at the bottom of each sheet of plans. We don't need the owner's address on the plans if it is different from the project address.

Upon submittal of your building permit application, an initial plan check fee must be paid. This fee is based on the type of project proposed (i.e., single family residence, additions, etc.) and is credited toward the final building permit fees.

Lastly, if your project received Planning Commission approval, be sure that you have addressed all the conditions placed on the approval. All Planning Commission Conditions of Approval shall be provided on a full size drawing sheet as part of the drawing sets.

[ Typical Structural Section | Sample Site Plan ]

Plan Check

After you submit your application, your plans are examined by the City, but not only by the Building Division. The Planning Division checks your plans for compliance with zoning standards, including parking, setbacks and other things; as well as compliance with the Planning Commission Resolution, if one was required. Commercial projects require Fire Department review. The County Health Department reviews certain applications also.

Plan checks are made in the order in which plans are submitted. Yours will be in the hopper with plans submitted by everyone else, including developers with large commercial or subdivision projects. No type of project is given special treatment.

The first plan check is usually completed within 1 to 2 weeks after you submit your plans and application, but this can vary, depending on our workload and the scope/size of the project.


Phone

We will call you !!

We will call you when the plan check is complete. Please do not call regarding the status of a plan check unless absolutely necessary. We get roughly 20 calls a day from impatient builders wondering if their plan check has been completed. Each call means your application will be delayed a little longer while we answer the phone. Should you need to get a hold of us for some other reason, give the Building Division a call at (805) 473- 4520.

Along with your plans, you'll get a correction list that includes all the comments from the various departments that have reviewed your plans. Even the most professional plans almost always require corrections, so don't be discouraged if you have to make several changes.


Corrections

Fix it!

Now you must amend your plans, following the correction list made out by the Building Division. A few minor corrections can be made on the original drawings, but if anything major must be changed, or if minor changes are numerous or can't be made neatly, you must draw new plans. Remember to resubmit your correction list with the revised plans, and your redlined plans.


Second Plan Check

Your corrected plans must now be rechecked. Bring copies of the revised plans and the original red-lined set to the Building Division as soon as they're ready. They will go to the head of the line, ahead of any plans awaiting an initial check.

If you have followed the correction list carefully, this will be the last check required. Usually it is completed within a few days. Be sure to carefully review the correction list and make the necessary changes, since rechecking will cost you time (and money) after the second check.


The Permit

As soon as the recheck is completed and no further corrections are needed, we prepare the document for the building permit. We call you as soon as the permit is ready to be issued and follow up with a letter. We will also return one (1) set of approved and stamped plans.

School fees, if required, must be paid prior to permit issuance. When we call, we'll tell you the full amount of the fees, including building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing, which must be paid when you or your representative pick up the permit.

Business Tax Certificate (BTC) - Along with the permit, you will need a City business tax certificate, obtained through the Administrative Services Department, for any person working for you who is required to have one. For more information on obtaining a BTC, contact the Administrative Services Department at (805) 473-4550, or via e-mail at: finance@grover.org

Now you may begin your project, faithfully following the City approved plans and the City inspection schedule. If at any time you need to make a change in your approved plans, you must check with Building Division Staff before proceeding. The Field Building Inspector is not authorized to approve changes on the job site.


Inspector

Inspections

City building inspectors will check your work as you progress. You must get an inspection after each stage, before you go on to the next. You will be given an inspection record card, which must be posted at the site of your project. This card must be signed by a field inspector each step of the way.

The Building Division representative will explain this procedure and give you the card when you pick up your building permit. Along with the inspection card, one copy of the approved plans must be at the site when someone's working there and when the inspector arrives.

It is essential to follow the inspection schedule. If you get ahead of it, you may have to rip out some of the work you've done so the inspector can look at your previous work.

Please call for inspections the day before you want us to be there. The answering machine phone number is (805) 473-4527. Do not call the department phone number for an inspection unless directed to do so on the recording.


Finishing Up

There is not a fixed period in which you must complete your project, but you must show progress within certain time frames. You are allowed 180 days to begin work, counting from the day the permit is picked up and fees are paid. Then, some work (something an inspector could notice) must occur every 180 days. When you are finished, don't forget to call for a final inspection!


Contact Information: City Staff in Planning & Building Divisions
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