Chapter 17.88 — GENERAL PLAN AND SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENTS

The purpose of a General Plan amendment is to allow for modifications to the Hanford General Plan text (e.g., goals, policies, or implementation programs), the General Plan Land Use Map, the General Plan Circulation Map, or other elements of the Hanford General Plan. The purpose of a specific plan amendment is to adopt a new or modify an existing, approved specific plan. (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

• A. Applications for a General Plan or specific plan amendment shall be filed and processed pursuant to the applicable sections of Chapter 17.70 .

• B. A General Plan amendment affecting the General Plan Land Use Map or other map in the General Plan may be filed by a property owner or authorized agent of land that is affected by the proposed amendment.

• C. A specific plan amendment may be filed by a property owner or authorized agent of land that is affected by the proposed amendment.

• D. A General Plan or specific plan amendment may be initiated by the City Council or the Planning Commission. Either authority may initiate such an amendment upon a written request by the Community Development Director or upon a written request with application fee by an interested person.

(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

Pursuant to Government Code Section 65358, no mandatory element of the General Plan may be amended more frequently than four times during any calendar year. Subject to that limitation, an amendment may be made at any time and may include more than one change to the General Plan. (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

• A. Before a General Plan or specific plan amendment may be approved, all of the following findings shall be made by the reviewing authority identified in Chapter 17.70 :

  1. The amendment is internally consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan;

  2. The amendment would not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare of the community;

  3. The amendment would maintain the appropriate balance of land uses within the City;

  4. The anticipated land uses on the subject site would be compatible with existing and future surrounding uses.

• B. A General Plan or specific plan amendment shall be denied if the reviewing authority finds one or more of the findings in this section cannot be made.

• (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

A notice of decision of a General Plan or specific plan amendment shall be processed consistent with Chapter 17.70 .

(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

The decision of the City Council regarding a General Plan or specific plan amendment is final. (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

A General Plan or specific plan amendment is final upon its effective date and does not expire. (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

A General Plan or specific plan amendment may not be revoked, except by filing a new application in accordance with Chapter 17.70 .

(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

Subsequent development permits associated with a General Plan or specific plan amendment shall be submitted, reviewed, and processed consistent with Chapter 17.70 . (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)