Section 6: California Land Use Cont

General Plan

a long term plan for development that includes information about land use, circulation pattern, housing, conservation, open space, noise, safety, and other elements.

General Plan Adoption Process

plan developed —> public hearing —> council/board hearing & vote

amendments limited to 4 per year

Specific Plan

a more detailed version of general plan including street layout, topography, construction guidelines

Traditional Planning

experts focus on “their areas”

Form-based Planning

experts work together

The Sunshine Law

Requires public access and attendance at city planning and land use meetings

Inverse Condemnation

Property owner’s right to take action against the government when their actions impact the property owner’s property

Police Power

creates zoning laws, state or local government’s authority to regular land use for health, safety, morals, and general welfare

Taxation

property taxes fund public services (schools, road, fire protection)

Eminent Domain (Condemnation)

government power to take private land for public use with just compensation 

Institutional Buffer

zone separating conflicting issues (school between residential and industrial area)

Mixed-use properties

combine complementary uses (ex: retail below, residences above (main st morrison))

Planned Unit Developments

large, self-contained development that blends multiples uses with open spaces (which integrate various residential types with commercial spaces, parks, and amenities, allowing residents to live, work, and play within the same area)

Cluster Zoning

density determined by total areas, allows clustering homes and preserving open spaces

Exclusive Use Zoning

only one land use allowed; common in agriculture

Spot Zoning

rezoning a single property within a zone, must provide proof of hardships, usually not allowed

Special Use Permit

also called conditional use permit; allows a use not normally permitted, provided it benefits the public and aligns with community zoning. Requires a public hearing; hardship is not needed

Moratorium

halt new development

variance

permitted deviation from zone

Use Variance

requested by property owner, requires proof of unnecessary hardship and allows property to be used in a way normally prohibited