Watsonville Municipal Code Part 9 Specific Plan

The purpose of this section is to establish requirements and procedures for the development, adoption and amendments of Specific Plans and ensure that the City Zoning Code is consistent with law regulating Specific Plans and in particular, Article 8 of Chapter 3, of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code, commencing with Section 65450.

(Ord. 1156-03 C-M, eff. May 22, 2003)

A Specific Plan is required for any areas shown on the General Plan Land Use Diagram as “Specific Plan.” A Specific Plan may be used in conjunction with either subdivision maps or a planned development. If a request to establish a Specific Plan is initiated by a property owner or his authorized agent, the property owner(s) shall follow the application procedure in the following section.

(Ord. 1156-03 C-M, eff. May 22, 2003)

An application for a Specific Plan shall be submitted to the Community Development Department. The application shall be processed by the Department as provided in Part 4 of Chapter 14-10. If the property is not in a single ownership but all owners agree to the proposed development, then all owners shall join the application, and a map identifying the extent of ownership shall be submitted with the application. The City maintains full authority and discretion to determine how a Specific Plan will be prepared. As part of the process, applicants shall inform the City of their intent to have a Specific Plan prepared for an area at least thirty (30) days prior to submittal of an application. Prior to submittal of any application for a Specific Plan the City shall work with the applicants to develop a Scope of Work for the preparation of a Specific Plan and shall discuss how the plan will be prepared. The application for a Specific Plan shall be on those forms prescribed by the City and shall include the agreed upon Scope of Work and fees that are designated by resolution. The initial phase of the application shall require approval of the Scope of Work by the City Council and the selection of a consultant by the City of Watsonville to prepare the Specific Plan. Any Specific Plan shall include the following components:

(a) General Plan Consistency Requirement. Specific Plans shall be consistent with the General Plan and, for areas within the coastal zone, the Local Coastal Program. Following adoption of a Specific Plan, developments and uses of the land, subdivisions (including tentative tract and parcel maps), public works projects and development agreements shall be consistent with the Specific Plan.

(b) Content of Specific Plan. A Specific Plan shall include a statement of its relationship and consistency with the General Plan, Local Coastal Program and compliance with Article 8 of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code, commencing with Section 65450:

(1) The existing uses of land within the planning area must be analyzed to determine the influence they will have under the Specific Plan. Existing agriculture, flood plain, environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, slopes over twenty-five (25%) percent, seismic, sensitive biotic and wildlife communities may substantially affect the type of uses planned for the area. Land uses surrounding the planning area should also be analyzed and connections/transitions/buffers between uses designed to ensure compatibility with those uses identified by the Specific Plan;

(2) The proposed distribution, location, intensity, and extent of the uses of land including residential development, economic development, commercial/industrial development, parks, open space, within the area covered by the Specific Plan (including lands to be dedicated for public use, and any easements to accommodate utilities or protect environmental resources);

(3) The proposed distribution, location and extent and intensity of major infrastructure components including public and private transportation (including pedestrian ways, bike paths, bus turnouts, parking, roadways, and other transportation systems), parks and recreation facilities (including provision of public access ways), sewage, water, drainage, solid waste disposal, energy and other essential facilities proposed to be located within the area covered by the plan needed to support the land uses described in the plan;

(4) Development conditions and construction by which development will proceed (including architectural design and landscaping concepts), how the project will address the City’s livable community design concepts, and standards for the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources (including soils, vegetation and wildlife habitats, water, energy) where applicable;

(5) Description of provisions to ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses and resources, addressing geologic, coastal bluff flooding and fire hazards;

(6) A program of implementation measures, including regulations, programs, public works projects and financing measures necessary to carry out the provisions of the preceding requirements;

(7) Specific Plans may also address any other subjects that are necessary or desirable for General Plan implementation.

(Ord. 1156-03 C-M, eff. May 22, 2003)

The Council, upon recommendation of the Planning Commission, shall be the final hearing body for Specific Plans. The Commission shall prepare its recommendation and the Council shall render its decision in accordance with Part 7 of this chapter, subject to findings required by Section 14-12.904. Adoption of a Specific Plan is not a General Plan amendment. It must however be consistent with the General Plan.

(Ord. 1156-03 C-M, eff. May 22, 2003)

The Planning Commission and City Council shall, in approving a proposed Specific Plan, make the following findings:

(a) That the proposed location of the development and proposed conditions under which it will be operated or maintained is consistent with the goals and policies embodied in the General Plan;

(b) That the proposed development is in accordance with the purposes and objectives of this title and, in particular, will further the purposes stated for each zoning district; and

(c) That the development will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare of persons residing or working in or adjacent to such a development and properties or improvements in the vicinity or to the general welfare of the City;

(d) That the Specific Plan and resulting development will be consistent with the provisions of Article 8 of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code, commencing with Section 65450.

(Ord. 1156-03 C-M, eff. May 22, 2003)

The Specific Plan shall incorporate procedures to make amendments to the Plan. Minor Amendments: Minor amendment to the Specific Plan shall be those that do not increase intensity of land use by more than ten (10%) percent, or have any impact on areas that are identified as being environmentally sensitive. Minor amendments to the Specific Plan may be considered by the Zoning Administrator without a public hearing in compliance with Part 5 of Chapter 14-10. Any other modifications to the Specific Plan shall be considered a Major Amendment and shall be processed in the same manner as an application for original approval of the Specific Plan.

(Ord. 1156-03 C-M, eff. May 22, 2003)