Who decides special land use applications in Ferndale?

City Council makes the final decision. Ferndale's process has two stages. First, the Planning Commission reviews the application, including a site plan, and holds a public hearing. Then City Council holds its own hearing and issues the final approval or denial, applying the standards in Section 10.04 (Section 10.03.A). This is different from many cities, where the Planning Commission decides special land uses on its own.

Key timing rules:

• An approval expires in 2 years if not acted on; CED may extend it up to 18 months (Section 10.05)
• A denied application faces a 2-year resubmission bar (Section 10.05)

Note that special land use decisions cannot be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals; the BZA is barred from hearing special land use and PUD appeals (Section 19.04.D). For hearing dates, check the city's posted meeting schedule or call CED at 248-336-4370.