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HEARING - Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, Long Range Planning Unit, recommending the Board consider the proposed amendments to Chapter 130.39 of the Zoning Ordinance (Oak Resources Conservation) and staff recommending the Board take the following actions as recommended by the Planning Commission (Commission) on July 10, 2025:
1) Adopt the Addendum to the County 2017 Biological Resources Policy Update and Oak Resources Management Plan Final EIR, certified in October 2017 (State Clearinghouse No. 2015072031) (Attachment G);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Urgency Ordinance 5234 (Attachment F), consisting of interim regulations on oak trees, defensible space, and insurance requirements to take effect immediately during the height of fire season for critical protection of public health and safety; and
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Ordinance 5235 (Attachment E) to amend Chapter 130.39, including authorizing corresponding amendments to the Oak Resources Management Plan.
FUNDING: General Fund.
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DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
On April 13, 2021, the Board directed LRP staff to proceed with amendments to Chapter 130.39 based on concerns raised during implementation of the ordinance (Refer to LRP Work Plan for FY 2021-22, File No. 21-0502). These amendments included revisions to address applicability to public lands, in-lieu fee calculations, mitigation timing for subdivisions, Heritage Tree definitions, exemptions for non-subdividable single-family parcels and personal use, use of security deposits, and processing of oak tree/woodland removal permits.
On February 22, 2024, and January 14, 2025 (File No. 24-0265 and 25-0052), staff held respective Commission and Board workshops to solicit feedback on the preliminary draft amendments. At both workshops, the Commission and Board supported the proposed amendments to Chapter 130.39 with recommended edits, which have been incorporated into the draft amendments. At the Board w...
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