Section 50060.

"Citizen participation" means action by the local agency that is approved by the agency as sufficient to provide persons who will be affected by financing or loan insurance assistance within a neighborhood preservation area, under the provisions of Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 51300) of Part 3 of this division or under Part 4 (commencing with Section 51600) of this division, with opportunities to be involved in planning and carrying out the financing or loan insurance assistance program. "Citizen participation" shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following and in the order provided below:

(a)  Holding a public meeting prior to the hearing by the legislative body considering selection of the area for designation as a neighborhood preservation area.

(b)  Consultation with an elected or appointed citizen advisory board, composed of representatives of both owners of property in, and residents of, a proposed neighborhood preservation area, in developing a plan for public improvements and the rules and regulations for implementation of the proposed assistance program.

(c)  Dissemination at least seven days prior to the original hearing by mailing to property owners within the proposed neighborhood preservation area at the address shown on the latest assessment roll and by distributing to residents of the proposed neighborhood preservation area by a manner determined appropriate by the local agency, of information relating to the time and location of the hearing, boundaries of the proposed area, and a general description of the proposed assistance program.

In addition to the requirements of subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, any other means of citizen involvement determined appropriate by the legislative body may be implemented.

In lieu of initiating a new process of citizen participation, local agencies which have conducted or are conducting a citizen-participation process as part of an existing housing community development program, may substitute such citizen-participation process if the board approves such process as meeting the requirements of this section.

Public meetings and consultations held to implement the requirements of citizen participation shall be conducted by a planning or rehabilitation official designated by the legislative body. Public meetings shall be held at times and places convenient to residents and property owners.

(Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 610.)