The following provisions are intended to establish uniform procedures for the adoption, implementation, and amendment of Specific Plans for the coordination of future development within the City, in compliance with State law (Government Code Section 65450 et seq., or as this section may be amended/replaced from time to time).
Specific Plans are one step below the General Plan in the land use hierarchy and are intended to assist in the implementation of specified areas of the General Plan by identifying the distribution, location and extent/intensity of land uses, the standards and criteria by which development will generally proceed, and the implementation measures necessary to carry out the proposed development.
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)
A Specific Plan, which is designed to provide for flexibility and encourage innovative use of land resources, shall be required or available under the following circumstances:
1. 
Areas designated SP (Specific Plan) on the General Plan Land Use Map or Zoning Map require the preparation of a specific plan in compliance with 9-4 (Special Purpose Zones);
2. 
A Specific Plan, as a tool which is available to private property owners not covered by subparagraph (1) of this section, could assist in the comprehensive master planning of a specific site(s).
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)
1. 
A pre-submittal application and fee are required prior to the filing of a formal Specific Plan application. A pre-submittal conference with the Department is required prior to the filing of the formal application;
2. 
During the pre-submittal conference, the City staff representative(s) shall review the applicable General Plan policies and provisions, the applicable zoning district regulations, and the City's CEQA Guidelines;
3. 
The Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR), if required, shall not be prepared by the same private consulting firm;
4. 
The applicant, or the consultant, shall be responsible for all fees associated with the preparation and advertisement of the Notice of Preparation (NOP) and the Notice of Completion (NOC) for the EIR, if one is required; and
5. 
Prior to the preparation of the Specific Plan or EIR, the applicant shall hold at least one public scoping meeting to identify potential community-wide impacts and concerns relating to the proposed plan. Public notice of the scoping meeting is required. Appropriate procedures shall be defined by the Department at the pre-submittal conference.
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)
A Specific Plan application shall include a text and a diagram(s) which contain all of the provisions outlined in State law (Government Code Sections 65451 and 65452), in addition to all data and related exhibits required by the Department.
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)
A Specific Plan shall be prepared, adopted and amended in the same manner as the General Plan, except that a Specific Plan may be adopted by resolution or by ordinance and may be amended as often as deemed necessary by the Council. A Specific Plan may be repealed in the same manner as it is required to be amended.
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)
Upon receipt of an application for a Specific Plan from an applicant or upon initiation by the Director, Commission, or Council, and following Department review and compliance with the City's CEQA Guidelines, public hearings shall be set before the Commission and Council. Notice of the hearings shall be given in compliance with Article 23 of this chapter (Hearings and Appeals).
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)
The Commission shall make a written recommendation to the Council on the proposed Specific Plan whether to approve, approve in modified form, or disapprove based upon the findings outlined in Section 9-2.1909 (Findings).
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)
Upon receipt of the Commission's recommendation, the Council may approve, approve in modified form or disapprove the proposed Specific Plan based upon the findings outlined in Section 9-2.1909 (Findings).
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)
A Specific Plan may be approved only if all of the following findings are made:
1. 
The proposed plan is consistent with the General Plan;
2. 
The proposed plan would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or welfare of the City;
3. 
The subject property is physically suitable for the requested zoning designation(s) and the anticipated land use development(s);
4. 
The proposed plan ensures development of desirable character which will be harmonious with existing and proposed development in the surrounding neighborhood; and
5. 
The proposed plan will contribute to a balance of land uses so that local residents may work and shop in the community in which they live.
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)
No public works project, parcel or tentative map, or other land use entitlement may be approved, adopted, or amended within an area covered by a Specific Plan, unless found consistent with the adopted Specific Plan.
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)
All applications shall be subject to the applicable provisions of this Code, including the procedures outlined in the following Articles:
1.
Article 22 of this chapter
Applications and Fees
2.
Article 23 of this chapter
Hearings and Appeals
(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001, as amended by § 13, Ord. 2019-978, eff. September 5, 2019)