This chapter establishes procedures for amending the zoning map, zoning regulations, or the General Plan and General Plan Land Use Map whenever the public necessity, convenience or general welfare require such amendments. The amendment process is necessary to provide for orderly and consistent amendment of these documents to maintain consistency with the intent of the General Plan and State law over time, to supplement regulations, and to improve the effectiveness and clarity of these documents.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)
Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Zoning Map, General Plan or General Plan Land Use Map may be initiated by application of any property owner, resident, or business owner in the Town, by the Planning Officer, or by action of the Town Council.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)
Applications for amendments by the public shall be initiated by submitting application materials as required by Section 17.180.020, Applications, of this title including the following information to the Planning & Building Department: a completed application form, signed by the applicant, or in the case of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Zoning Map, General Plan or General Plan Land Use Map by the subject property owner(s) or authorized agent, accompanied by the required fee or deposit, and any other information, plans or maps prescribed by the Planning Officer. Application procedures and processing shall be in accordance with state law and procedural guidelines established by the Planning Officer.
In addition to the information required for an application, the following shall be supplied by the applicant:
A. 
A description of the proposed map or text amendment(s) and the purpose thereof.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)
The Zoning and Design Review Board shall recommend approval, conditional approval, or denial of applications for amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Zoning Map, General Plan or General Plan Land Use Map. The Town Council shall have the authority to approve, conditionally approve or deny applications for Zoning Ordinance, Zoning Map, or General Plan amendments.
(Ord. 23-526, 1/16/2024)
The Zoning and Design Review Board shall hold a public hearing on any proposed Zoning Ordinance or General Plan amendment and shall make a recommendation to the Town Council. Upon receipt of the Zoning and Design Review Board recommendation, the Town Council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment(s). Notices of public hearings shall be given consistent with Section 17.180.040, Notice of hearing, of this title.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)
A. 
Upon receipt of the recommendation of the Zoning and Design Review Board, the Town Council may approve or approve in modified form the proposed amendment(s) if from the facts presented all the following findings can be made:
1. 
The proposed amendment(s) would further the goals, objectives, policies and programs and is consistent with the intent of the General Plan;
2. 
The proposed amendment(s) would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the Town;
3. 
For amendments involving a zoning or land use map amendment, the site is physically suitable, including consideration of physical constraints, access, compatibility with surrounding land uses, and provision of utilities, for the requested or potential land uses.
B. 
If the Town Council proposes to adopt any substantial modification to General Plan amendment(s) not previously considered by the Zoning and Design Review Board during its hearing, the proposed modification shall be first referred back to the Zoning and Design Review Board for its recommendation, in compliance with State law.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)