4.10. SPECIAL PLANNING AREA (SPA) ZONING

The purpose of this Section is to establish a procedure whereby the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission may initiate proceedings to regulate property in areas throughout the County area that have unique environmental, historic, architectural, or other features that require special conditions not provided through the application of standard zoning district regulations. It is recognized that in certain circumstances it may be desirable to provide for a greater range or mixture of uses in an area than would be permitted in the standard zoning districts of this Code. It is the purpose of this Section to provide the method for the County to guide the development of such areas so as to preserve such unique characteristics or provide for a broader mixture of land uses when appropriate.

4.10.2.A. Initiation of Zoning District

Only the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission may initiate by resolution the proceedings to place parcels within an SPA zoning district. The resolution shall include reasons for initiating the SPA zoning district.

4.10.2.B. Findings

An SPA ordinance shall not be adopted unless the following findings are made:

1. The area included within the SPA zoning district contains or will contain unusual or unique environmental, historical, architectural, economic development or other specified significant characteristics that justify the adoption of the SPA zoning district.

2. The unusual features cannot adequately be protected by the adoption of any other land use zone.

4.10.2.C. Designation

The abbreviation “SPA” appearing on a comprehensive zone plan indicates that the property so classified is subject to the provisions of this Section and an ordinance adopted pursuant to this Section.

4.10.2.D. Amendment

The procedures amending an SPA zoning district adopted pursuant to this Section shall be the same as for any map amendment to this Code, per Section 6.2, “Zoning Amendments.”

4.10.2.E. Mandatory Contents

An SPA zoning district shall be established by ordinance and provisions shall be included in each SPA ordinance for the following matters:

1. Legal description of property covered by the ordinance.

2. Reasons for establishment of an SPA zoning district on the particular property.

3. A list of permitted uses.

4. Performance and development requirements relating to yards, lot area, intensity of development on each lot, parking, landscaping, and signs.

5. Other design standards appropriate for the specific site and development.

4.10.2.F. Additional Permissive Contents of SPA Ordinance

The following provisions are permissive and are not intended to be an exclusive list of the provisions that may be included in an SPA ordinance.

1. Procedure for review of proposed development. The procedures may include:

   • a. Types of projects that require review.

   • b. Documents required from developers.

   • c. Hearing procedures, if any.

2. Regulations relating to nonconforming lots, uses, structures, and signs.

3. Time phasing and sequence of development of projects.

An SPA zoning district shall be interpreted to strictly modify only the standards or requirements as specified in the applicable SPA ordinance. All standards and requirements of this Code that are not inconsistent with the stated provisions of the SPA ordinance shall apply.

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