§ 9-302

This Chapter provide procedures for adopting and amending Specific Plans. Specific plans are regulatory documents established by the County to carry out specific purposes, as authorized by the Government Code, for specific geographic areas shown on the Zoning Map. They are governed by a set of regulations that address specific subjects, such as land use, physical development, building design, transportation, utilities, and public improvements, or impose requirements for detailed master plans that may be applicable in sub-areas within the specific plan area. The provisions of a specific plan may be combined with provisions of base or overlay zoning districts for the area to which the specific plan applies, and the more restrictive provisions will govern. Specific plan provisions also may be substituted for countywide provisions included in this Title.

Each Specific 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 "-SP" designator, numbered and identified sequentially by order of enactment and reference to the resolution approving the plan.

Applications for Specific Plans or Specific Plan Amendments may be initiated by the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, the Director of Community Development, or any qualified applicant. If the property is not under a single ownership, all owners must sign the application, and submit a map showing

the extent of ownership. Applications shall be filed with the Community Development Department. A fee, as specified by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, shall be required.

A Specific Plan shall be prepared, adopted, amended, and repealed following the procedure for General Plan amendments specified in Chapter 9-807. A Specific Plan may be adopted by resolution or ordinance.

A Specific Plan shall include introductory and background text, policies, development standards, and diagrams that specify all of the following in detail, as required by Government Code Section 65451:

(a)

Land Use. The distribution, location, and extent of the uses of land, including open space, within the area covered by the plan and the phasing of development, if proposed.

(b)

Infrastructure, Public Facilities and Services. The proposed distribution, location, and extent and intensity of major components of public and private transportation, water supply and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, stormwater collection, transmission, and discharge, stormwater quality elements, solid waste disposal, energy, telecommunications, and other essential facilities proposed to be located within the area covered by the plan and needed to support the land uses described in the plan.

(c)

Development and Conservation Standards. Objective development standards for density/intensity, building form and siting, internal circulation, landscaping, and parking and criteria by which development will proceed, and standards for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources, where applicable.

(d)

Implementation and Financing Program. A program of implementation measures including zoning regulations, programs, public improvements projects, and financing measures necessary to carry out paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) above.

(e)

General Plan Consistency. A statement of the relationship of the Specific Plan to the general plan and how the Specific Plan is consistent with and implements the General Plan.

Specific Plan applications shall be reviewed at a duly-noticed public hearing following the process in Chapter 9-807 General Plan Amendments.

(Ord. No. 4632, § 9, 6-26-2023)

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

(a)

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

(b)

Plan Consistency. The proposed Specific 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 Specific 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 Specific 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 Specific Plan has been reviewed in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

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

(a)

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

(Ord. No. 4632, § 10, 6-26-2023)

A Specific Plan adopted by resolution of the Board of Supervisors shall be administered as prescribed by the Board, consistent with the Government Code Section 65450-65457.

Chapter 9-303 - Planned Development Zone