Title
Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, Long Range Planning Unit, recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution of Intention 149-2023 to Amend Title 130 of the County Zoning Ordinance and initiate a Zoning Ordinance Update to prepare and adopt a Scenic Corridor Ordinance.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
An initial step in amending the Zoning Ordinance is the adoption of the Resolution of Intention (ROI), as required by Section 130.63.020 (Ordinance Amendments and Zone Change Applications) of the Zoning Ordinance.
On June 13, 2023 (File No. 23-1059, Item No. 3) the Board approved and endorsed the Long Range Planning (LRP) Project Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-23, which included preparing and adopting a Scenic Corridor Ordinance. Scenic corridors are generally defined as areas that possess highly scenic and natural features as viewed from roadways, rivers, ridgelines, or other viewsheds. A Scenic Corridor Ordinance is needed to protect and improve scenic values in the County consistent with General Plan Goals and Objectives, which are specifically cited in the ROI (Attachment B).
Following adoption of the ROI, LRP staff will prepare public review drafts of the proposed amendments and proceed with preparation of all necessary documentation and environmental review as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. Following preparation of the environmental documents, LRP staff will schedule public hearings with the Planning Commission to receive public comments, review applicable environmental documents, and forward recommendations to the Board for consideration at the final adoption hearing(s).
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose to not approve this ROI for the Zoning Ordinance Update for the Scenic Corridor Ordinance; however, this will cause delays in addressing the projects associated with the Board approved LRP Work Plan for FY 2023-24.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion/Background above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. Funding for the staff time associated with the proposed Zoning Ordinance Update has been included in the FY 2023-24 Budget. Funding beyond FY 23-24, if needed, will be included in subsequent budgets accordingly.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on one (1) original copy of the ROI.
2) Clerk of the Board will forward two (2) certified copies of the fully-executed ROI to Planning and Building Department, attention Christopher Smith, Planning Division, for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance: Incorporate benchmarks (to other agencies) and best practices to provide context to decisions, using data to inform discussions while promoting efforts to creatively address service delivery.
CONTACT
Rob Peters, Deputy Director of Planning
Planning and Building Department