This chapter establishes procedures for making changes to the General Plan as provided for in State law when there are compelling reasons to do so. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, changes in State or federal law and problems and opportunities that were unanticipated at the time of Plan adoption or the last amendment.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)
The procedures of this chapter apply to all proposals to change the text of the General Plan and the diagrams that illustrate the application of its provisions.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)
An amendment to the General Plan may be initiated by:
A. 
Any qualified applicant identified in Section 20.450.002 (“Application Forms and Fees”);
B. 
A motion of the City Council or Planning Commission;
C. 
A verified petition of at least 10 percent of the registered voters of the City; or
D. 
A person who has entered into a valid and enforceable agreement with the former Redevelopment Agency for the possible assembly of the property affected by the proposed amendment.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1469 § 1, 2013)
A. 
Application. A qualified applicant shall submit an application for a General Plan amendment on a form prescribed by the Planning Division accompanied by the required fee. The Planning Division may require an applicant to submit such additional information and supporting data as considered necessary to process the application.
B. 
Coordination with Other Applications. The Planning Division may allow any necessary applications for amendments to zoning regulations or for approval under the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance or Title 19 (“Subdivisions”) of the South San Francisco Municipal Code, to be processed simultaneously with the proposed General Plan amendment.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)
A. 
Staff Report. The Chief Planner shall prepare a report and recommendation to the Planning Commission on the application for a General Plan amendment. The report shall include, but is not limited to, a discussion of how the proposed amendment complies with the purposes of this chapter, a determination as to whether the proposed amendment will require amendment to other plans that the City Council has adopted, and an initial environmental assessment prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
B. 
Scheduling. The Planning Division shall schedule the application for hearing by the Planning Commission in accordance with the City’s schedule for considering General Plan amendments.
C. 
Public Notice. At least 10 days before the date of the public hearing, the Planning Division shall provide notice consistent with Chapter 20.450 (“Common Procedures”). Notice of the hearing also shall be mailed or delivered at least 10 days prior to the hearing to the South San Francisco Unified School District and any other local agency expected to provide essential facilities or services to the property that is the subject of the proposed amendment.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1469 § 1, 2013)
A. 
Planning Commission Hearing. The Planning Commission shall conduct a public hearing in conformance with Chapter 20.450 (“Common Procedures”).
B. 
Recommendation to Council. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall make a recommendation on the proposed General Plan amendment and the environmental determination to the City Council. In formulating a recommendation, the Commission shall consider the extent to which the proposed amendment meets the purposes of this chapter, the compatibility of the proposed amendment with other provisions of the General Plan and any applicable specific plan, and any changes to the amendment that the Commission deems necessary to comply with other adopted Plans and ordinances or to reduce environmental impacts.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)
A. 
After receiving the report from the Planning Commission, the City Council shall conduct a duly-noticed public hearing. The notice shall include a summary of the Planning Commission recommendation. If the Planning Commission has recommended against the adoption of such amendment, the City Council is not required to take any further action unless an interested party files a written request for a hearing with the City Clerk within 15 days after the Planning Commission action.
B. 
After the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council may approve, modify or deny the proposed General Plan amendment. If the Council proposes any substantial modification not previously considered by the Planning Commission during its hearings, the proposed modification shall first be referred back to the Planning Commission for its recommendation, but the Planning Commission shall not be required to hold a public hearing thereon. The failure of the Planning Commission to report within 40 days after the referral, shall be deemed a recommendation to approve and the amendment shall be returned to Council for adoption.
C. 
Following the Council action, the City Clerk shall make the documents amending the plan, including the diagrams and text, available for public inspection.
(Ord. 1432 § 2, 2010)