A. 
Purpose. 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 changes in circumstances or opportunities that were unanticipated at the time of Plan adoption or the last amendment.
B. 
Applicability. This chapter applies to all proposals to change the text of the General Plan, the land use map(s), and the diagrams that illustrate the application of its provisions.
(Ord. 1722, 6/18/2024; Ord. 1733, 2/4/2025)
A. 
Initiation. An amendment to the General Plan may be initiated by any qualified applicant identified in § 17.96.020, Application Forms and Fees, or by a motion of the City Council or Planning Commission.
B. 
Application. A qualified applicant shall submit an application for a General Plan amendment on a form prescribed by the Director as prescribed in § 17.96.020, Application Forms and Fees. The Planning Commission or City Council may direct that specific information be provided at the time the initial application is submitted.
C. 
Coordination with Other Applications. Amendments to the General Plan and General Plan Land Use Map may be processed concurrently with other discretionary permits.
(Ord. 1722, 6/18/2024; Ord. 1733, 2/4/2025)
A. 
Staff Report. The Director shall prepare a report and recommendation to the Planning Commission on any 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 environmental document prepared in compliance with the CEQA.
B. 
Neighborhood Meeting. The Director, at their discretion, may require that the applicant conduct a neighborhood meeting prior to an application being submitted or during the review of an application as put forth in § 17.96.070, Neighborhood Meeting. The meeting may be required when in the opinion of the Director, the project for which the General Plan Amendment is requested may have an impact on a neighborhood, the project is unique, or the project is of such scale or scope that it is likely to generate community interest.
(Ord. 1722, 6/18/2024; Ord. 1733, 2/4/2025)
A. 
Planning Commission Hearing. The Planning Commission shall conduct at least one public hearing on any proposed amendment and make recommendations to the City Council in conformance with the provisions of § 17.96.090, Conduct of Public Hearing.
B. 
Public Notice. At least 10 days before the date of the public hearing, the Director shall provide notice as specified in § 17.96.080, Public Notice. Notice of the hearing shall also be mailed or delivered to any local agencies expected to provide essential facilities or services to the property that is the subject of the proposed amendment.
C. 
Recommendation to Council. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall make a recommendation on the proposed General Plan amendment to the City Council. The recommendation shall include the reasons for the recommendation, findings related to supporting the recommendation, and the relationship of the proposed amendment to applicable plans. The Director shall transmit the Planning Commission's written recommendation and complete record of the application to the City Council.
(Ord. 1722, 6/18/2024; Ord. 1733, 2/4/2025)
A. 
City Council Hearing. After receiving the report from the Planning Commission, the City Council shall hold a noticed public hearing in conformance with Chapter 17.96.090, Conduct of Public Hearing.
B. 
Public Notice. At least 10 days before the date of the public hearing, the Director shall provide notice as specified in § 17.96.080, Public Notice. The notice shall include a summary of the Planning Commission's recommendation. Notice of the hearing shall also be mailed or delivered to any local agencies expected to provide essential facilities or services to the property that is the subject of the proposed amendment.
C. 
City Council Action. At the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council may approve, modify, or deny the proposed amendment application. If the Council proposes any substantial modification, such as introducing a new zone district or planned land use designation, not previously considered by the Planning Commission during its hearings, the proposed modification shall first be referred back to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation, but the Planning Commission shall not be required to hold a public hearing. 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.
D. 
Frequency of Amendments. Pursuant to California Government Code § 65358, no mandatory element of the General Plan may be amended more frequently than four times during any calendar year. Subject to that limitation, an amendment may be made at any time and may include more than one change to the General Plan.
E. 
Required Findings. The City Council shall not approve an amendment to the General Plan unless the proposed amendment meets the following:
1. 
The proposed amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan;
2. 
That the proposed amendment will promote growth of the City in an orderly manner and will promote and protect the public health, safety, or welfare of the community;
3. 
That the anticipated land uses on the subject site will be compatible with existing and future surrounding uses;
4. 
That the City's inventory of residential lands for qualified housing sites has not been reduced; and
5. 
That the proposed amendment is consistent with any development related application that is processed and approved concurrently with the amendment application.
(Ord. 1722, 6/18/2024; Ord. 1733, 2/4/2025)