This Chapter establishes the procedures for amending the General Plan in compliance with Government Code Section 65350 et seq., and Zoning Ordinance, including changes to zoning districts and the Zoning Map, in compliance with Government Code Section 65853 et seq. The purpose of these procedures is to ensure a structured and transparent approach to modifying the General Plan, zoning regulations, and zoning districts, aligning them with the City's planning objectives, and community needs.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A. 
General Plan. An amendment to the General Plan may be initiated as follows:
1. 
Initiation. An amendment to the General Plan may be initiated by motion of the City Council or Planning Commission, or action of the Zoning Administrator. Any resident, property owner or business owner in the City may request an amendment to the General Plan by submitting a written request to the Zoning Administrator.
2. 
Maximum Number of General Plan Amendments. In compliance with Government Code Section 65358 et seq., no mandatory element of the General Plan shall be amended more frequently than four times during any calendar year. Subject to that limitation, the General Plan amendment may be made at any time, as determined by the City. Each amendment may include more than one change to the General Plan.
B. 
Zoning Map. An amendment to the Zoning Map may be initiated by motion of the City Council or Planning Commission, or action of the Zoning Administrator. Any resident, property owner or business owner in the City may request an amendment to the Zoning Map by submitting a written request to the Zoning Administrator.
C. 
Zoning Ordinance. An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance may be initiated by motion of the City Council or the Planning Commission, or action of the Zoning Administrator. Any resident, property owner or business owner in the City may request an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance by submitting a written request to the Zoning Administrator.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A. 
Determination of Completeness. After a General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, or Zoning Map amendment application is submitted, the Zoning Administrator shall determine whether the application is complete and shall notify the applicant of the determination, including (if appropriate) a description of why the application is incomplete and any additional information that may be required.
B. 
Report. After a submitted application is deemed complete; the Zoning Administrator shall prepare separate reports for the Planning Commission and City Council containing the Zoning Administrators analysis and recommendation. The report(s) shall describe the geographical area or applicable General Plan or Zoning Ordinance provision(s) to be considered for amendment and, if warranted, propose alternative amendments.
C. 
Notice and Public Hearing. The responsible review authority shall hold a public hearing on an application for General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, or Zoning Map amendment and shall notice such meeting in compliance with Chapter 18.205 (Noticing Requirements). In compliance with Section 18.175.030 (Projects with Multiple Discretionary Permit Applications), the Planning Commission may schedule a combined public hearing on multiple applications for Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map amendments.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A. 
Planning Commission Recommendation.
1. 
Public Hearing. In compliance with Government Code Sections 65353 et seq. and 65853, at the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall consider the report from the Zoning Administrator, including the Zoning Administrator's recommendation, and shall hear evidence for and against the proposed General Plan, Zoning Ordinance or Zoning Map amendment. The Planning Commission may continue the public hearing to a definite date and time without additional notice.
2. 
Recommendation to City Council. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall forward a written recommendation, including findings, to the City Council whether to recommend approval, approval in modified form, or denial of the proposed amendment, based on the findings identified in Section 18.180.050 (Findings).
3. 
Result of Planning Commission Denial. A Planning Commission recommendation of denial of an application for a Zoning Ordinance or Zoning Map amendment submitted by request terminates the proceedings, unless appealed in compliance with Chapter 18.185 (Appeals and Calls for Review). However, when an application is combined with a General Plan amendment, the Planning Commission recommendation of a denial shall be automatically referred to the City Council for final action and does not require an appeal. All other Planning Commission actions on proposed Zoning Ordinance or Zoning Map amendments are automatically referred to the City Council.
B. 
City Council Action.
1. 
Hearing Date and Notice. The Zoning Administrator shall set a public hearing before the City Council within 60 calendar days after the date of the Planning Commission recommendation. Notice of the public hearing shall comply with Chapter 18.205 (Noticing Requirements).
2. 
Public Hearing. At the public hearing, the City Council shall consider the Planning Commission's recommendation and hear evidence for and against the proposed General Plan, Zoning Ordinance or Zoning Map amendment. The City Council may continue the public hearing to a definite date and time without additional notice.
3. 
City Council Decision. The City Council shall approve, approve with modifications, or deny the proposed General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, or Zoning Map amendment based on the findings identified in Section 18.180.050 (Findings).
4. 
Referral to Planning Commission.
a. 
City Council Referral for Further Study.
i. 
When City Council requests the Planning Commission to further study and report on a proposed amendment, the Planning Commission shall study and submit a report to City Council within 60 calendar days after the referral. The City Council may establish a longer reporting period at their discretion.
ii. 
Upon receipt of the City Council referral, the Planning Commission shall conduct the required public hearing and notice the public hearing in compliance with Chapter 18.205 (Noticing Requirements).
iii. 
Failure of the Planning Commission to report back to the City Council within the specified time period shall be deemed that the Planning Commission's recommendation is for approval of the amendment in compliance with Government Code Sections 65356 and 65853.
b. 
City Council Referral for Information not Previously Considered.
i. 
If the City Council proposes to adopt a substantial modification(s) to the proposed amendment not previously considered by the Planning Commission, the proposed modification shall be first referred to the Planning Commission for its recommendation, in compliance with Government Code Sections 65356 and 65857.
ii. 
The Planning Commission shall not be required to hold a public hearing on the referral.
iii. 
Failure of the Planning Commission to report back to the City Council within 45 calendar days after the City Council referral, or a longer period as may be designated by the City Council, shall be deemed that the Planning Commission's recommendation is for approval of the proposed amendment in compliance with Government Code Sections 65356 and 65857.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
An amendment to the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, or Zoning Map may be approved only if all the following findings are made, as applicable to the type of amendment.
A. 
General Findings. The following findings shall be made for all amendments:
1. 
The proposed amendment(s) complies with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
2. 
The proposed amendment(s) complies with the limitations on residential rezoning established in Subsection D of this Section (Limitation on Residential Rezoning).
B. 
Additional Finding for General Plan Amendments. The proposed amendment(s) is internally consistent with all other provisions established by the General Plan.
C. 
Additional Finding for Zoning Ordinance Amendments. The proposed amendment(s) is internally consistent with all other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.
D. 
Limitation on Residential Rezoning. The City shall not rezone any area or property zoned for residential use to increase density or change land use unless the following additional findings are made:
1. 
Development of the area or property to be rezoned shall not have significant growth-inducing impacts on existing residential neighborhoods;
2. 
Development of the area or property to be rezoned shall not have a significant traffic impact on existing residential neighborhoods; and
3. 
Development of the area or property to be rezoned shall not have a significant noise impact on existing residential neighborhoods.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
Following the denial of a General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, or Zoning Map amendment application, no new application or request for the same, or substantially the same, proposed amendment shall be accepted within 12 months of the date of denial, unless the denial was made without prejudice.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)