Beverly Hills : Environment Panel Dies

The city’s Environmental Review Board has been disbanded and its duties will be taken over by the Planning Commission.

The board was established in 1973 in response to a state mandate that required environmental reviews of building projects. The board was made up of four city staffers until a citizen’s representative was added in 1988.

Environmental reviews will be conducted by the Planning Commission, which is made up of five residents appointed by the City Council. The reviews determine whether a project requires a full environmental impact report or whether it poses environmental impacts that can be mitigated.

Under the old system, the commission made the final decision on environmental issues, said David Lightner, the city’s deputy planning director. After the review board made its recommendations based on public hearings, the commission would adopt or revise the findings.