Title
Planning and Building Department recommending the Board review and revise Board Policy J-6 - General Plan Amendment Initiation Process.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On December 10, 2013 (Legistar Number 13-0793, Item 28), the Board approved Policy J-6 - General Plan Amendment Initiation Process. Pursuant to the Policy Review Section, the Policy was to “be reviewed no less than annually to assess whether this policy is working effectively and as intended”. Further, Board Policy A-1 - Development and Distribution of Board of Supervisors Policies, Section III.A states that "The responsible department shall ensure that the draft policy conforms to the standardized policy format and contains a recommended review date of no more than four years". Policy J-6 has not been reviewed or updated since its adoption in 2013. Staff have reviewed the Policy and, in addition to general formatting and editorial changes, recommend the following notable changes:
Revisions to the Purpose of the Policy to:
1. Identify that the Policy applies to privately initiated General Plan Amendments, including Specific Plan Amendments and new Specific Plans that would result in increasing allowable density by 50 or more dwelling units - previously the less than 50 dwelling unit threshold was included as an Exemption at the end of the Policy, which lead to confusion of applicability;
2. Add that the purpose of the Policy is to assist the Board in determining whether a proposed change to the General Plan furthers the overall goals and objectives of the Board based on the Criteria listed in the Policy;
3. Add that the purpose of the Policy is to allow for early public knowledge and involvement in the General Plan Amendment Initiation process;
4. Specify that the Policy also provides the framework for Applicants to follow when voluntarily requesting a Conceptual Review before the Planning Co...
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