Title
Planning and Building Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection appointing Tiffany Schmid, Director of the Planning and Building Department, as El Dorado County's authorized primary designee and Anne Novotny, 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.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On December 18, 2018, the County received a request from the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection for the County’s authorized designee to review and approve a Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemption.
On October 10, 2017, the County Board of Supervisors appointed Roger Trout, former Director of the Planning and Building Department, as the County’s authorized designee to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions for CAL FIRE and the California Board of Forestry. (Refer to Legistar File No. 17-1017, Attachment C).
Roger Trout retired from the County in September 2018. Tiffany Schmid is now the current Director of the Planning and Building Department.
Traditionally, Timberland Conversion Permits and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions have been reviewed by the Planning Department for compliance with local regulations. Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) will prepare the applications with the local authorities providing acknowledgement that the timber operation is compliant with local regulations. Although this had not been a formalized process in the past, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection sent the County a letter dated August 23, 2017 requesting the County formally appoint an authorized designee in order to improve the communication between the RPFs, local jurisdictions, CAL FIRE, and the State Board of Forestry. (Refer to Legistar File No. 17-1017, Attachment A).
ALTERNATIVES
1) Appoint another County representative as El Dorado County's authorized designee to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions.
2) Decline appointing a County representative, which will relinquish the County's opportunity to determine if a proposed timberland conversion is in conformance with all County regulatory requirements.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On October 10, 2017 (Item No. 26), 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
It is recommended that the Board approve the item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
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, appointing Tiffany Schmid, Director of the Planning and Building Department, as El Dorado County's authorized primary designee and Anne Novotny, Deputy Director of Planning, as El Dorado County's authorized secondary designee.
2) The Clerk of the Board to provide a copy of the signed letter to the Planning and Building Department, attention of Char Tim, Planning Commission Clerk.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Tiffany Schmid, Director
Planning and Building Department