§ 9-301

This Chapter provides procedures for adopting and amending Special Purpose Plans to facilitate implementation of the General Plan in portions of communities or larger areas where plans are needed and appropriate, such as the Stockton Metropolitan Airport, the Delta, and areas zoned Commercial Recreation or Freeway Service Commercial. Special Purpose Plans are also intended to facilitate business park developments. A Special Purpose Plan shall be used to provide a greater level of detail and more specific guidance than is contained in the General Plan.

The need for a Special Purpose Plan for specific uses is identified in the land use regulations for individual zones which are in the 200 Series of this Title or may be applied for in the case of larger development plans as permitted by the Zoning Administrator. The scope of individual Special Purpose Plans may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(a)

Utilities and Public Services. To ensure planning for the provision or installation of utilities and public services, including water, sewer, and storm drainage, in specific areas;

(b)

Roadways. To establish the location of roadways and roadway rights-of-way;

(c)

Improvements. To coordinate the provision of improvements such as noise barriers or fencing;

(d)

Aesthetics. To establishing aesthetic standards for development in specific areas; and

(e)

Parking. To provide comprehensive parking plans for specific commercial areas.

Each Special Purpose 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 a reference map with an "-SPP" designator, numbered and identified sequentially by order of enactment and reference to the resolution approving the plan.

Applications for Special Purpose Plans may be initiated by the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Director of Community Development, or any qualified applicant. To initiate the application, a qualified applicant shall file a request for a pre-application 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 Special Purpose Plan 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 Special Purpose Plan shall contain a map of the area to be affected by the plan and text that describes the land use proposed development for the area. The level of detail may be specific or conceptual, as appropriate. The following plans and materials shall be submitted, provided that the Zoning Administrator may waive submission of items deemed unnecessary.

(a)

Existing Conditions and Site Plan.

(1)

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

(2)

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

(3)

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.

(b)

Proposed Development Program. Tabulation of proposed residential and non-residential development, including building coverage, paving coverage, landscaped areas, parking spaces, and height of structures and a preliminary development schedule indicating sequence and timing of development. Reservation of land for public uses shall be identified, if applicable.

(c)

Land Use and Development Standards. Objective development standards for proposed land uses, structures, and public facilities;

(d)

Transportation Standards. The location of, and objective development standards for, streets, roads, and other transportation facilities;

(e)

Improvements and Standards. The phasing, financing, and location of, and objective standards for, water supply, wastewater treatment and disposal, storm drainage facilities, and other public improvements;

(f)

Natural Resource Standards. Objective standards for the conservation, development, and use of natural resources; and

(g)

Environmental Impact Mitigation. Objective standards and measures for mitigating and identified environmental impacts of development under the Special Purpose Plan.

Each Special Purpose Plan application shall be reviewed using the Common Procedure in Chapter 9-802.

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

(a)

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

(b)

Plan Consistency. The proposed Special Purpose 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 Special Purpose Plan will not result in a reduction of transportation service for any mode of travel or public services so as to be a detriment to public health, safety, or welfare;

(e)

Land Use Compatibility. The proposed Special Purpose 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 as shown in the General Plan; and

(f)

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

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

(a)

Zoning Compliance Review. If the Zoning Administrator determines that the uses and issues of a proposed application were addressed in an existing Special Purpose Plan and there is no expansion to the area covered by the project, a Zoning Compliance Review may be used for a subsequent application for development.

(b)

Public Improvement Plan. A Public Improvement Plan meeting the requirements of Chapter 9-600, Infrastructure Standards; General Provisions, may be required as a condition of approval for a subsequent application for development.

(c)

Expansion of Special Purpose Plans. Expansion of a development beyond the uses, issues, and property boundaries addressed in an existing Special Purpose Plan, shall require an addendum or new Special Purpose Plan.

(d)

Expansion of an Existing Permitted Use. For uses approved with a Zoning Compliance Review under an existing Special Purpose Plan, any expansion of such use shall require a new Zoning Compliance Review.

All improvements and land uses within the area covered by the Special Purpose Plan shall be consistent with the adopted Special Purpose Plan. Once adopted, such plans shall remain in effect until amended or rescinded by the Board of Supervisors.

Chapter 9-302 - Specific Plans