Lancaster Municipal Code Art. VII Specific Plan (SP) Zone

The purpose and intent of the SP zone is to provide the means necessary to implement the city general plan; whether it is solely the SP designation, or in conjunction with any other general plan land use designation as set forth in the text of the general plan, and as delineated on the general plan map. The specific plan zone is intended to be in accordance with applicable goals, objectives, policies and specific actions set forth by the plan. It is the intent of the SP zone that specific plans be prepared to regulate the use and development of property prior to, or in conjunction with, the review of development and subdivision proposals. It is intended that these specific plans be comprehensive and cover a logical planning area so that development in the SP zone occurs in a coordinated fashion, with adequate public/private services and infrastructure, rather than as a series of isolated individual projects. It is further intended that these specific plans provide the opportunity for unique and creative designs that are not possible under the city's typical development regulations.

Where so specified on the general plan map, the land use category shall determine the type of land use permitted and/or the density range for the specific plan. Where the SP zone is specified without a land use designation on the general plan map, the specific plan shall include a comprehensive proposal for development, which may include but is not limited to, a variety of mixed land uses and standards to enhance and protect the physical features of the site and surrounding areas.

It shall also be the intent of the SP zone to allow certain individual uses on property where no specific plan has been adopted when such uses will not adversely affect the surrounding area or the city's ability to adopt a future specific plan for the area.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

A person shall not use any premises in the SP zone except as hereafter permitted in this title and subject to all regulations and conditions enumerated in this title. Where a specific plan has been adopted by the city, it shall supersede all regulations contained in this article.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

The following uses are permitted within the SP zone:

A. Agricultural crop production, including necessary on-site processing, sales and storage facilities; provided, that no sludge or biosolid material shall be applied to any land as a soil amendment;

B. Continued operation of existing uses, including residences, which were legally established prior to the adoption of the SP zone on August 3, 1992. Residences in the C, LI, or HI general plan land use designations may be expanded by a maximum cumulative total of 500 square feet of living area. This size limit does not apply accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units subject to Chapter 17.41, Article I. Residences within the UR, MDR or HDR land use designations may be expanded without limitation provided that all applicable property development regulations are met.

C. Mobilehome on an existing vacant legal lot, in accordance with the design standards as established in Section 17.08.370, with a general plan land use designation of UR, MDR or HDR.

D. Single-family residence on an existing vacant legal lot, including all typical accessory uses and structures, with a general plan land use designation of UR, MDR or HDR.

E. Public and quasi-public facilities necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the public, including but not limited to communication facilities, fire stations and utilities.

F. Re-use of existing vacant premises with new use consistent with the land use designation, including site or structural improvements necessary to meet current codes.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010; Ord. No. 1106, § 4(Exh. A), 10-10-2023)

If site plans or other pertinent information for the proposed use are first submitted to and approved by the director in accordance with Article I of Chapter 17.32 and Section 17.20.680, premises in the SP zone may be used for the following uses:

A. Establishment of a new use that is not consistent with the underlying land use designation only when:

1. The use will occupy an existing developed site that is appropriate for the use; and

2. The use will not be detrimental to other uses or property in the surrounding area.

B. Expansion of a legally established commercial or industrial use where the use is consistent with the general plan land use designation of C, LI or HI.

C. Home occupation subject to the provisions of Section 17.08.320.

D. One dwelling unit, in accordance with Section 17.16.040, used for residence by a caretaker and his immediate family, where there is a legally operating use that requires continuous supervision on a site with a general plan land use designation of LI or HI.

E. Raising, training, breeding of animals, including all necessary facilities; slaughtering and packaging operations may be allowed only where the underlying land use is HI provided that no sludge or biosolid material shall be applied to any land as a soil amendment.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010; Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

Property within the SP zone may be used for the following uses provided that a conditional use permit has first been obtained in accordance with Article I of Chapter 17.32 and Section 17.20.680:

A. Churches, temples, or other places used exclusively for religious worship, including incidental education and social activities on a lot with a general plan land use designation of UR, MDR, HDR or C;

B. Day care center;

C. Schools, through grade 12 on a site with a general plan land use designation of UR, MDR or HDR;

D. Recreational facilities, including parks;

E. Warehousing and mini-storage, including outdoor storage and construction yards subject to screening standards of the corresponding zone on a lot with a general plan land use designation of LI or HI.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010; Ord. No. 1106, § 4(Exh. A), 10-10-2023)

Where a conflict in interpretation occurs regarding application of Section 17.20.600, 17.20.610, 17.20.620 or 17.20.640 to any specific case the director shall determine the interpretation.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

An applicant seeking to subdivide property, or to develop or use property in an SP zone except as otherwise allowed by this title, shall present a proposal to the Department of Community Development for a specific plan which complies with the specific plan provisions of California Government Code, Article 8, Section 65450 et seq. An application for a specific plan shall be filed with the Department of Community Development on a form prescribed by the director and shall include such information, maps and data as determined necessary by the director to afford a complete analysis of the proposal and to be in conformance with state law.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

When an application is filed for a specific plan it shall be accompanied by the filing fee established for a zone change by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

A. Any development within the SP zone, including establishment or enlargement of uses, buildings or structures, shall comply with the property development regulations of the zoning classification that corresponds to the general plan land use designation on the site.

B. Residential projects and mixed-use developments consisting of residential and nonresidential uses with at least two-thirds of the square footage designated for residential use shall be subject to the objective design standards in Chapter 17.41, Article IV and those objective design standards contained within an applicable master plan or specific plan. If there is a conflict between the objective design standards in Chapter 17.41, Article IV and those in the applicable master plan or specific plan, the standards of the master plan or specific plan shall prevail.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010; Ord. No. 1106, § 4(Exh. A), 10-10-2023)

Signs shall be allowed within the SP zone subject to the requirements of the zoning classification that corresponds with the general plan land use designation of the site. Off-premises advertising signs, including billboard relocations, are strictly prohibited in the SP zone. Uses subject to conditional use permit shall be required to prepare a comprehensive sign plan to regulate the placement of signage.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

In approving an application for director's review or conditional use permit, the following findings shall be made in addition to the findings specified elsewhere in this title:

A. The proposed use will not adversely affect the ability of the city to adopt a comprehensive specific plan on, or in the vicinity of, the subject property.

B. The proposed use will not result in further subdivision of the subject property.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)