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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 reappointing Tiffany Schmid, Director of the Planning and Building Department, as El Dorado County's primary authorized designee and adding Robert Peters, Deputy Director of Planning, as El Dorado County's secondary 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
Traditionally, Timberland Conversion Permits and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions have been reviewed by the Planning Division 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 (Attachment A).
On January 15, 2019, Legistar File 19-0034, Item No. 20, the Board authorized the Chair to sign a letter to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection appointing Tiffany Schmid, Director of Planning and Building, as El Dorado County’s 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.
In September 2019, Anne Novotny resigned her position as Deputy Director of Planning. On November 9, 2019, Robert Peters was hired as the new Deputy Director of Planning.
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 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 January 15, 2019, Legistar File 19-0034, Item No. 20, the Board appointed Tiffany Schmid, Director of Planning and Building, 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.
On October 10, 2017, Legistar File 17-1017, 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
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, reappointing Tiffany Schmid, Director of the Planning and Building Department, as El Dorado County's primary authorized designee and adding Robert Peters, Deputy Director of Planning, as El Dorado County's secondary authorized designee.
2) The Clerk of the Board to provide a copy of the signed letter to the Planning and Building Department, attention of Jeanette Salmon, Executive Assistant to the Director of Planning and Building.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Tiffany Schmid, Director
Planning and Building Department