§ 9-300

The Chapter provides procedures for adopting and amending Master Plans to facilitate implementation of the General Plan for new communities or the substantial expansion of existing communities.

Each Master Plan approved by the Board of Supervisors on or after December 29, 2022, the effective date of the ordinance, codified in this Title, shall be shown on reference map with an "-MP" designator, numbered and identified sequentially by order of enactment and reference to the enacting ordinance.

Applications for Master Plans may be initiated by the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, the Director of Community Development, or any qualified applicant. To initiate the application, the applicant shall file a request for a preapplication conference with the Community Development Department. If the property is not under a single ownership, all owners must sign the application, and submit a map showing the extent of ownership. The Master Plan or Master Plan Amendment may be prepared by the County, its consultant, or by the applicant, as determined by the Zoning Administrator. A fee, as specified by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, shall be required.

Each Master Plan shall set forth for the area within the Master Plan boundaries a specific land use and circulation system concept that is consistent with the General Plan, compatible with the environment, and capable of being served by existing and planned public facilities and utilities. The following plans and materials shall be submitted, provided that the Zoning Administrator may waive submission of items deemed unnecessary:

(a)

A vicinity map showing proposed Master Plan boundaries and the relationship of the area to uses and structures within a 300-foot radius of the plan area boundaries.

(b)

An existing conditions map of the Master Plan area showing sufficient topographical data to indicate clearly the character of the terrain, existing streets and infrastructure, if any, and the type, location, and condition of mature trees and other natural vegetation.

(c)

A site plan indicating the existing and proposed uses, building locations, gross floor area, lot coverage, height, parking, and residential density, and a multi-modal circulation plan for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

(d)

Tabulation of proposed densities of dwelling units, bedroom count, building coverage, paving coverage, landscaped areas, parking spaces, and height of structures;

(e)

A preliminary development schedule indicating sequence and timing of development.

(f)

Reservation of land for public uses, including schools, parks, playgrounds, and other open spaces.

(g)

Proposed grading plans based on field surveys.

(h)

Infrastructure improvement plans for utilities and public services, including water and sewer systems, flood control, and stormwater drainage.

(i)

Objective design standards and guidelines for the physical development of the property, including illustrations of proposed architectural, urban design, and landscape concepts.

(j)

Proposed open space and landscaping plan including landscape concept and type of plant materials, recreation area, parking, service areas, and other public area used in common on the property and a description of intended improvements to and maintenance of the open area of the property.

(k)

Any other information deemed necessary by the Zoning Administrator to ascertain if the project meets the requirements of this Title.

The Planning Commission may recommend, and the Board of Supervisors may approve a Master Plan including lots smaller than those required by the base zone but shall not approve a total number of dwelling units in a Master Plan greater than permitted by the General Plan density limitations. Restrictions on the number of dwelling units permitted shall be recorded with subdivision maps prior to acceptance of applications for development plan review.

Master Plan applications shall be reviewed using the procedure in Chapter 9-808, Development Title Text and Zoning Map Amendment.

Prior to approving or conditionally approving an application for a Master Plan or a Master Plan Amendment, and the Board of Supervisors shall determine that the Master Plan or the Master Plan Amendment is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable Specific Plan and Public Financing Plan and must make the following findings:

(a)

Public Benefit. The proposed Master Plan will contribute to the public health, safety, and general welfare or will be of benefit to the public;

(b)

Plan Consistency. The proposed Master Plan is consistent with other adopted plans, unless concurrent amendments to those plans are also proposed and will result in consistency;

(c)

Site Suitability. The site is physically suitable for the type and intensity of the land use being proposed;

(d)

Infrastructure Improvements. Adequate transportation facilities, water supply, wastewater disposal services, and stormwater management facilities exist or will be provided in accordance with the conditions of approval to serve the proposed development; and the approval of the Master Plan will not result in a reduction of transportation service for all modes of travel or public services so as to be a detriment to public health, safety, or welfare;

(e)

Land Use Compatibility. The proposed Master Plan will not have a substantial adverse effect on surrounding land uses and will be compatible with the existing and planned land use character of the surrounding area; and

(f)

Issuance Not Detrimental. The proposed Master Plan has been reviewed in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

A Master Plan shall be adopted by resolution and may be amended as often as deemed necessary by the Board of Supervisors.

In approving a Master Plan, the Board of Supervisors may impose reasonable conditions deemed necessary to:

(a)

Ensure that the Master Plan conforms in all significant respects with the General Plan and with any other applicable plans or policies that the County has adopted; and

(b)

Mitigate any potentially significant impacts identified as a result of review conducted in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

The Board of Supervisors may require reasonable guarantees and evidence that such conditions are being, or will be, complied with.

For a Master Plan or a Master Plan Amendment prepared at the County's expense, the Board of Supervisors may impose a Master Plan fee. The fee shall be applied to persons seeking approvals for development within the area covered by the Master Plan or Master Plan Amendment. The fee charged shall be a prorated amount determined on the basis of the amount of land proposed for development and shall be expressed as a percentage of the total land included in the applicable Master Plan or Master Plan Amendment.

Chapter 9-301 - Special Purpose Plans