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Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection appointing Karen L. Garner, Director of the Planning and Building Department, as El Dorado County's primary authorized designee, Robert Peters, Deputy Director of Planning, as El Dorado County's secondary authorized designee as approved and authorized previously, and add Aaron Mount, Planning Manager as El Dorado County's third authorized designee to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions.
FUNDING: There is no funding associated with this action.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Prior to the conversion of timberland to a use other than growing timber requires a Timberland Conversion Permit or, if eligible, a Less than 3 Acre Conversion Exemption from California State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The County's authorized designee is provided notification by CAL FIRE whenever such a permit or exemption is requested, thereby giving the County the opportunity to determine if the request is in conformance with County regulatory requirements.
Traditionally, Timberland Conversion Permits and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions have been reviewed by the Planning Division for compliance with local regulations. Beginning on August 23, 2017, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection requested that the County formally appoint an authorized designee in order to improve the communication between the Registered Professional Foresters, local jurisdictions, CAL FIRE, and the State Board of Forestry. The Director and Deputy Director of Planning have traditionally been the authorized designees, however, to support more efficient review time frames, staff is requesting that a third designee, Aaron Mount, Planning Manager, is added.
When a change is made to the primary designee, the County submits a formal letter signed by the Board. With the addition of a third designee, no such letter is required and can be done through email correspondence. The action requested of the Board approves Aaron Mount as the third designee. Staff will follow-up with CAL FIRE via email to confirm, should the Board approve.
ALTERNATIVES
1) The Board could choose to appoint another County representative as El Dorado County's authorized designee(s) to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions.
2) The Board could choose to decline appointing a third County representative, which will result in slower review times for proposed timberland conversion permits against County regulatory requirements.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On June 14, 2022, (Legistar file 22-0845), the Board appointed Karen L. Garner, Director of Planning and Building, as El Dorado County’s authorized primary designee and Robert Peters, Deputy Director of Planning as El Dorado County's authorized secondary designee to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions.
On May 19, 2020, (Legistar file 20-0586), the Board appointed Tiffany Schmid, former Director of Planning and Building, as El Dorado County's authorized primary designee and Robert Peters, Deputy Director of Planning as El Dorado County's authorized secondary designee to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions.
On January 15, 2019, (Legistar file 19-0034), the Board appointed Tiffany Schmid, former Director of Planning and Building, as El Dorado County’s authorized primary designee and Anne Novotny, former Deputy Director of Planning, as El Dorado County’s authorized secondary designee to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions.
On October 10, 2017, (Legistar file 17-1017), the Board appointed Roger Trout, former Director of the Planning and Building Department, as El Dorado County's authorized designee to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
California State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with this action.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board to obtain the Chair's signature on the original letter to the State Board; and
2) The Clerk of the Board to provide a copy of the signed letter to the Planning and Building Department, attention of Angelic Madson, Executive Assistant to the Director of Planning and Building.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Karen L. Garner, Director
Planning and Building Department