Recursos en Español
Resources in Spanish
Recursos en Español
Resources in Spanish

Area Plans

Area Plans are an integral part of the County General Plan, providing the basis for future land use development in specifically defined areas. “Area Plan” is a term for plans that focus on a particular region or community within the overall general plan area. Area Plans refine the policies of the General Plan as they apply to a smaller geographic area and are designed to reflect the needs and desires of those individual communities. In general, the purpose of an Area Plan is to specify the distribution, location, types, and intensity of land uses within a prescribed area, as well as provide specific policies concerning development in that area. The following nine adopted Area Plans each includes goals, policies, programs, and land use designations for the smaller, unincorporated communities they cover:

This section addresses the goals and policies that apply to all Area Plans related to land use. The goals and policies that are specific to an area are in the separately contained Area Plan. A description of land use designations and locations of Area Plans in the county are illustrated in section 3.5. “General Plans and Area Plan Land Use Designations,” of the Background Report.

Goal: LU-15

To provide a clear policy framework that enhances the communities within each Area Plan boundary.

When the County comprehensively updates an Area Plan, the County shall ensure that the updated Area Plan includes specific policies and programs that address local issues, and a range of land use designations that accommodate the land uses appropriate to the area and commensurate with public infrastructure and services. Through the Area Plan Update process, the County shall ensure that all principles, goals, objectives, policies, and plan proposals set forth in the area plan are consistent with the County General Plan.

For consistency, the County shall organize the updated Area Plans using the following structure:

Introduction

  • Purpose
  • Area Plan Chronology
  • Content and Organization

Local Setting

  • Overview of Plan Area
  • Community History

Area Plan Elements

  • Land Use and Community Character
  • Circulation, Transportation, and Mobility
  • Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure
  • Conservation and Open Space
  • Hazards and Safety
  • Water Resources
MPSP

Area Plans for specific geographic subareas of the County may be adopted as part of the County General Plan. Area Plans shall be consistent with the General Land Use Diagram (Figures 2-4 and 2-5), although the Area Plans may be more specific and provide additional direction and restrictions concerning future development and resource management.
MPSP

Within locations covered by an area plan, where an inconsistency is identified between the General Plan and the Area Plan, the more restrictive of the two shall prevail.
MPSP
RDR

The County shall encourage the development of an appropriately-scaled land use mix in each designated Area Plan where these plans include this type of use, and each designated Existing Community that contributes to an adequate economic base to fund capital improvements, including long-term maintenance, and to meet the daily needs of residents, including grocery stores, local-serving restaurants, community facilities, and civic centers.
MPSP
RDR

The County shall provide sufficient commercially and industrially designated land to meet the employment needs of the community.
MPSP

The County shall encourage the development of neighborhood configurations that encourage a variety of lifestyles, a central community focus, and distinct identity.
MPSP
RDR

The County shall encourage the development of neighborhood configurations that preserve the natural features of the site and minimize the requirements for grading.
RDR

The County shall continue to work with land owners to eliminate nonconforming land uses in residential areas, as appropriate.
SO

The County shall require that as Area Plans are prepared or updated, planned industrial and commercial areas shall be evaluated to assess the impact on jobs/housing balance within the community and region.
RDR
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