Chapter 18.150 — SPECIFIC PLANS

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a process for preparing, processing, reviewing, adopting, and amending specific plans in compliance with Government Code Section 65450 et seq., or as that section may be amended or replaced from time to time. (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

• A. General Plan Implementation. After the Board has adopted the General Plan or any amendment, the County may, or if directed by the Board, shall prepare specific plans for the implementation of the General Plan.

• B. Adopted by Ordinance. A specific plan adopted by ordinance shall replace the base zone(s) for the subject property, and the development standards and guidelines identified in the specific plan shall take precedence over the development standards contained in this Zoning Code.

• C. Adopted by Resolution. A specific plan adopted by resolution shall be applied as applicable regulations and standards to this Zoning Code, and the General Plan shall take precedence over the development standards and guidelines identified in the specific plan.

• (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

• A. Specific Plan—When Required. When required by the General Plan or this Zoning Code to systematically implement the General Plan, a specific plan shall be prepared, processed, approved, and implemented, or denied in compliance with this chapter.

• B. Flexibility and Innovation. A specific plan is designed to provide for flexibility, innovative use of land resources and development, a variety of housing and other development types, and an effective and safe method of pedestrian and vehicular circulation.

• C. Commission and Board Review. An application for a specific plan shall be considered by the Commission and Board.

  1. Commission's Recommendation. After a public hearing, the Commission shall forward a written recommendation, in the form of a resolution, together with the findings in support of the recommendation, to the Board whether to recommend approval, approval in modified form, or denial of the proposed specific plan, based on the findings identified in Section 18.150.070(A) (Specific Plan Adoption: Mandatory Finding for Adoption).

  2. Board's Action. After a public hearing, the Board shall take appropriate action on the specific plan application, in the form of an ordinance or resolution, together with the findings in support of the action to approve, approve in modified form, or deny the proposed specific plan, based on the findings identified in Section 18.150.070(A) (Specific Plan Adoption: Mandatory Finding for Adoption).

• (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

A specific plan may only be requested for a site(s) in compliance with the following minimum site area requirements:

• A. Sites located within an Urban Area . Five acres minimum.

• B. Sites located outside of an Urban Area . 20 acres minimum. (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

A specific plan may only be initiated by the Board or proposed by the Director. (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

• A. Hearings. Public hearings shall be required for the Commission's recommendation and the Board's action on a specific plan or a specific plan amendment.

• B. Notice. Notice of the public hearings shall be given and the hearings shall be conducted in compliance with Chapter 18.146 (Public Notices and Hearings).

• (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

• A. Mandatory Finding for Adoption. A specific plan may only be adopted if first found consistent with the General Plan in compliance with Government Code Section 65454 .

• B. Method of Adoption. The specific plan shall be adopted by ordinance or by resolution of the Board, in compliance with Government Code Section 65453 .

• (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

• A. Process for Amendment. A specific plan may be amended or repealed through the same procedure specified by this chapter for the adoption of a specific plan.

• B. Mandatory Finding for Amendment. A specific plan may only be amended if first found consistent with the General Plan in compliance with Government Code Section 65454 .

• C. Frequency of Amendments. The specific plan may be amended as often as deemed necessary by the Board, in compliance with Government Code Section 65453 .

• (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)