Chapter 17.106 — SPECIFIC PLANS

The City recognizes that certain parcels in Bellflower may benefit from focused planning efforts whereby infrastructure, land use relationships, land use intensities, and public service needs can be carefully examined and planned in a comprehensive manner. The Specific Plan provides a mechanism to carry out such planning efforts. The purpose of this chapter is to establish uniform procedures and guidelines for Specific Plans prepared pursuant to Government Code Section 65450 , et seq.

(Ord. 1369 § 4, 1/28/19)

• A. A Specific Plan application may be initiated by a majority of property owners in the area of a proposed Specific Plan.

• B. The City Council, Planning Commission, or Director may initiate an application for a Specific Plan.

• (Ord. 1369 § 4, 1/28/19)

For property owners, a pre-application conference with the Director is required before the formal submission of a Specific Plan application. The purpose of the meeting is to review with the applicant the City's requirements for Specific Plan content, applicable policies, infrastructure needs, and other information as determined by the Director.

(Ord. 1369 § 4, 1/28/19)

In addition to a formal application completed on a form approved by the Director, the applicant must:

• A. Submit a draft Specific Plan containing text and diagrams that specify the following in detail:

  1. A boundary survey map of the area covered by the plan ("plan area"). A tentative subdivision map may be substituted if the applicant proposes to subdivide the property.

  2. Topography of the plan area and the preliminary proposed finished grade shown at contour intervals of five feet or less.

  3. The gross land area of the proposed plan area, the present zoning classification of the proposed plan area, and the proposed zoning classification and land use of the area surrounding the proposed development or plan area, including the location of structures and other improvements.

  4. A general land use map setting forth the proposed uses of all sections or areas within the proposed plan area and the approximate acreage of each.

  5. An accompanying report setting forth the land use regulations that constitute the standards of development designed to govern those sections or areas specified in the proposed plan area. These standards must contain definitions and information concerning the

requirements for building site coverage, building heights, building setbacks, off-street parking, vehicular access, signage, lighting, storage, screening, landscaping, conservation, utilization of natural resources, and other information that the Director may require to ensure compliance with zoning regulations.

6. The distribution, location, and extent of the uses of land, including open space, within the plan area.

7. The proposed distribution, location, and extent and intensity of major components of public and private transportation, sewage, water, drainage, solid waste disposal, energy, and other essential facilities proposed to be located within the plan area and needed to support the land uses described in the Specific Plan.

8. Standards and criteria by which development will proceed, and standards for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources, where applicable.

9. A program of implementation measures including regulations, programs, public works projects, and financing measures necessary to carry out Subdivisions (6), (7), and (8) of this subsection.

• B. Include a statement in the Specific Plan indicating that the Plan is either:

  1. Consistent with the Bellflower General Plan; or

  2. Will be consistent with the Bellflower General Plan if amended to provide for this particular Specific Plan. A statement as to how the proposed zone change and General Plan amendment will further the goals and objectives of the General Plan must be included.

• C. Include any other information as may be required by State law or by the Director to permit complete analysis and evaluation of the proposed Specific Plan.

• (Ord. 1369 § 4, 1/28/19)

• A. A public hearing before the Planning Commission must be noticed and conducted pursuant to the provisions of Sections 17.108.030 and 17.108.050 .

• B. At the public hearing, the Planning Commission will review the application and proposal and receive evidence as to how or why the proposed Specific Plan is consistent with the objectives of this Title 17, the General Plan, and City's development policies.

• C. The Planning Commission must act by resolution to recommend the City Council approve, approve with modifications, or deny the proposed application.

• D. The Planning Commission's resolution must include its recommendation and be transmitted to the City Clerk for scheduling the matter for public hearing before the City Council.

• (Ord. 1369 § 4, 1/28/19)

• A. After receiving a Planning Commission resolution, the City Clerk will set the matter for hearing before the City Council as provided for in Sections 17.108.030 and 17.108.050 .

• B. At the hearing, the City Council will review the Planning Commission's recommendation and receive evidence as to how or why the proposed Specific Plan is consistent with the objectives of this Title 17, the General Plan, and City's development policies.

• C. The City Council may act to approve or deny the application. The City Council's action to approve a Specific Plan must be by ordinance.

• D. If the City Council proposes any substantial modification to the application not previously considered by the Planning Commission, the Council may refer the matter back to the Commission for consideration. No public hearing is required before the Planning Commission on the referral.

• (Ord. 1369 § 4, 1/28/19)

To approve a Specific Plan, the City Council must make the following findings:

• A. That the proposed Specific Plan or amendment promotes public health, safety, and general welfare, and serves the goals and purposes of this Title 17;

• B. That the proposed Specific Plan or amendment is consistent with the goals, policies, and objectives of the General Plan; and

• C. That the proposed Specific Plan or amendment will not adversely affect surrounding properties. (Ord. 1369 § 4, 1/28/19)

• A. An approved Specific Plan may be amended in the same manner required for initial applications for a Specific Plan, as set forth in this chapter.

• B. Unless the amendment is City-initiated, no application for a Specific Plan amendment will be accepted unless accompanied by a development proposal for all or a portion of the area included within the proposed amendment area.

• C. The City Council, Planning Commission or the Director may initiate amendments to any portion of a Specific Plan. In the case of such a City-initiated amendment, no associated project is required.

• D. The following changes to a Specific Plan require a Specific Plan amendment:

  1. Changes to the text or maps other than the addition of information that does not change the effect of any regulation;

  2. Changes in any Specific Plan boundary;

  3. Increase or decrease in the specified density for any area; or

4. Changes in standards or regulations, including landscaping and design standards.

(Ord. 1369 § 4, 1/28/19)