Laguna Beach Municipal Code Ch. 25.58 Amendments to General Plan

The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures for making changes to the General Plan, as provided for in applicable law when there are reasons to do so. These circumstances include, without limitation, changes in applicable law, in the public interest, property owner interest, opportunities that were unanticipated at the time of General Plan adoption or the last amendment, or as required by State law.

(Ord. 1732, 7/21/2026)

(A) The procedures of this chapter apply to all proposals to change the content of the General Plan.

(B) The City Council, by resolution, shall establish and from time to time amend a schedule of fees imposed for any initiation or application to change the content of the General Plan.

(Ord. 1732, 7/21/2026)

(A) Request. A request to initiate an amendment to the General Plan may be submitted by an applicant or the City. This request must occur before the City processes any applications associated with the request to amend the General Plan.

(B) Initiation Factors. The following factors must be considered by the City Council for the initiation of a non-City applicant's proposed General Plan amendment:

(1) The amendment proposed appears to be consistent with the Guiding Principles and Goals of the General Plan;

(2) The amendment proposed appears to have minimal to no material effect on the community or the General Plan;

(3) The amendment proposed provides additional public benefit to the community as compared to the existing land use designation or policy;

(4) Public facilities appear to be available to serve the affected site, or their provision will be addressed as a component of the amendment process; or

(5) The amendment proposed is required under other rules or regulations.

(C) Public Hearing. The City Council will consider, deliberate, and act upon the initiation of all proposed General Plan amendments at a duly noticed public hearing. If the General Plan Amendment request is not initiated, then the General Plan Amendment application will not be processed by the City.

(D) Expiration. If a request to initiate a General Plan Amendment is approved by City Council, a General Plan Amendment application must be submitted within two years from the date of initiation. If no application for a General Plan Amendment is submitted within this time period, the approved initiation shall expire, become null and void, and shall not be subject to an extension.

(Ord. 1732, 7/21/2026)

(A) Hearing. Following City Council initiation and project processing by the City, the Planning Commission must conduct a duly noticed public hearing.

(B) Recommendation to Council. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission must make a written recommendation on the adoption or amendment of the General Plan or any Element thereof based on the findings listed below. A recommendation for approval must be made by a resolution carried by an affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Planning Commission membership in accordance with California Government Code Section 65354. The Director must promptly transmit to the City Council the Planning Commission's written recommendation, together with any maps, charts, studies, or other materials, including any required environmental analysis.

(C) Required Findings. The Planning Commission must make all of the following findings in its recommendation to the City Council:

(1) The amendment is consistent with the guiding principles and goals of the General Plan.

(2) The amendment is deemed to be in the public interest.

(Ord. 1732, 7/21/2026)

(A) Council Hearing. Before acting upon any proposed General Plan Amendment, the City Council must hold a duly noticed public hearing.

(B) Council Action. After the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council may approve, modify, or deny the proposed General Plan amendment. If the Council proposes any substantial modification not previously considered by the Planning Commission during its hearings, the proposed modification must first be referred back to the Planning Commission for its recommendation.

(C) Required Findings. The City Council must make all of the following findings to amend the General Plan:

(1) The amendment is consistent with the guiding principles and goals of the General Plan.

(2) The amendment is deemed to be in the public interest.

(Ord. 1732, 7/21/2026)