Chapter 17.08 — SPECIFIC PLANS

Sections:

17.08.010 Purpose. 17.08.020 Applicability.

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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• 17.08.030 Preapplication review required.

• 17.08.040 Application.

• 17.08.050 Public hearing.

• 17.08.060 Modifications by city council.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish provisions for the preparation, adoption, and implementation of specific plans, pursuant to California Government Code Section 65450 et seq.

• A. Specific plans are established to implement the policies of the general plan that call for the preparation and adoption of specific plans in certain areas of the city.

• B. Specific plans can address a wide variety of situations including:

  1. Large-scale projects;

  2. Projects proposed on sites that have multiple development constraints;

  3. Projects that require significant coordination among a number of properties;

  4. Projects in that the phasing or timing is critical;

  5. Projects that will generate significant infrastructure needs; and

  6. Projects that have important and broadly based community-wide implications. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

The specific plan shall govern the use and development of any properties included in an area to which an adopted specific plan applies without regard for adopted zoning regulations and standards unless the specific plan contains specific provisions designed to rely on the zoning ordinance in certain situations not covered in the specific plan. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

The preapplication review is required prior to preparation of a specific plan to determine which goals, policies and programs of the general plan are applicable and need to be reflected in the proposed specific plan. A preapplication review consists of the following:

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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A. The applicant shall submit a letter of intent and a concept plan showing the general arrangement and design of the land uses and major elements of the proposed development to the community development director for review.

B. The community development director shall forward the preapplication to the city council for a determination of which goals, policies and programs of the general plan are applicable and need to be reflected in the proposed specific plan.

C. The public works director shall determine the scope of the infrastructure improvements to be analyzed in conjunction with the specific plan. The scope of infrastructure to be analyzed shall be based on a review of the project impacts and a nexus of improvements necessitated by the project. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

Following the preapplication review described in Section 17.08.030, Preapplication review required, the applicant shall submit an application in compliance with the provisions of Section 17.04.020, Application process. The proposed specific plan and application shall:

A. Contain enough information to clearly demonstrate how the proposed specific plan will implement the applicable general plan goals, policies and programs. This includes detailed regulations, conditions, programs, and proposed legislation necessary or convenient for the systematic implementation of the general plan.

B. Be prepared under the supervision of the city with all costs of the planning document including the CEQA analysis paid by the property owners unless the community development director determines that all or a portion of the costs will be paid by the city. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

The planning commission shall conduct a properly noticed public hearing in compliance with Section 17.04.080, Public hearing notice, and issue a recommendation to the city council for decision. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

The following provisions shall be observed when the city council considers a modification to a specific plan:

A. The city council may modify any specific plan by making nonsubstantive changes without first referring the matter to the planning commission for a report and recommendation. However, any substantive change proposed by the city council that was not discussed by the planning commission shall be referred back to the planning commission for a report and recommendation.

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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B. When the city council has referred a matter back to the planning commission, it shall report back to the city council within thirty (30) days after the date of the city council referral unless the city council specifically allows for a longer period of time for the planning commission report and recommendation. Where action cannot be taken within thirty (30) days by the planning commission, a longer period of time may be requested and the city council may at its discretion grant such a request. Although no additional public hearing shall be required, the planning commission may at its discretion hold a public hearing prior to a report and recommendation on any matter referred to it by the city council. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))