Chapter 18.34

AMENDMENTS TO GENERAL PLAN

Sections:

18.34.010 Purpose.

18.34.020 Applicability.

18.34.030 Initiation.

18.34.040 Application requirements.

18.34.050 Review procedures and public notice.

18.34.060 Planning and Transportation Commission hearing and recommendation.

18.34.070 City Council hearing and action.

This chapter establishes procedures for making changes to the General Plan as provided for in State law when there are compelling reasons to do so. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, changes in State or Federal law and problems and opportunities that were unanticipated at the time of plan adoption or the last amendment. (Ord. 1438 § 4 (Exh. A (part)), 2011)

The procedures of this chapter apply to all proposals to change the text of the General Plan and the diagrams that illustrate the application of its provisions. (Ord. 1438 § 4 (Exh. A (part)), 2011)

An amendment to the text of the General Plan may be initiated by any qualified applicant identified in Section 18.27.020, Application forms and fees, or a motion of the City Council or Planning and Transportation Commission. (Ord. 1612 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 1438 § 4 (Exh. A (part)), 2011)

A. Application. A qualified applicant shall submit an application for a General Plan amendment on a form prescribed by the Planning Division accompanied by the required fee. The Planning Division may require an applicant to submit such additional information and supporting data as considered necessary to review and approve the application.

B. Coordination with Other Applications. The Planning Division may allow any necessary applications for amendments to zoning regulations or for approval under the requirements of this title or Title 17, Subdivisions, to be reviewed and approved concurrently with the proposed General Plan amendment. (Ord. 1438 § 4 (Exh. A (part)), 2011)

A. Staff Report. The Director shall prepare a report and recommendation to the Planning and Transportation Commission on the application for a General Plan amendment. The report shall include, but is not limited to, a discussion of how the proposed amendment complies with the purposes of this chapter, a determination as to whether the proposed amendment will require amendment to other plans that the City Council or the Redevelopment Agency have adopted, and an environmental document prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

B. Scheduling. The Planning Division shall schedule the application for hearing by the Planning and Transportation Commission in accordance with the City’s schedule for considering General Plan amendments.

C. Public Notice. At least ten days before the date of the public hearing, the Planning Division shall provide notice consistent with Chapter 18.27, Common Procedures. Notice of the hearing also shall be mailed or delivered at least ten days prior to the hearing to the San Carlos School District and any other local agency expected to provide essential facilities or services to the property that is the subject of the proposed amendment. (Ord. 1612 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 1438 § 4 (Exh. A (part)), 2011)

A. Planning and Transportation Commission Hearing. The Planning and Transportation Commission shall conduct a public hearing in conformance with Chapter 18.27, Common Procedures.

B. Recommendation to Council. Following the public hearing, the Planning and Transportation Commission shall make a recommendation on the proposed General Plan amendment and the environmental determination to the City Council. Such recommendation shall include the reasons for the recommendation, findings supporting the recommendation, the relationship of the proposed ordinance or amendment to applicable general and specific plans, and a copy of the minutes from the Planning and Transportation Commission meeting. (Ord. 1612 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 1438 § 4 (Exh. A (part)), 2011)

A. After receiving the report from the Planning and Transportation Commission, the City Council shall conduct a duly-noticed public hearing. The notice shall include a summary of the Planning and Transportation Commission recommendation. If the Planning and Transportation Commission has recommended against the adoption of such amendment, the City Council is not required to take any further action unless an interested party files a written request for a hearing with the City Clerk within ten days after the Planning and Transportation Commission action.

B. After the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council may approve, modify or deny the proposed General Plan amendment. If the Council proposes any substantial modification not previously considered by the Planning and Transportation Commission during its hearings, the proposed modification shall first be referred back to the Planning and Transportation Commission for its recommendation, but the Planning and Transportation Commission shall not be required to hold a public hearing thereon. The failure of the Planning and Transportation Commission to report within forty days after the referral shall be deemed a recommendation to approve and the amendment shall be returned to Council for adoption.

C. Following the Council action, the City Clerk shall make the documents amending the plan, including the diagrams and text, available for public inspection. (Ord. 1612 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 1438 § 4 (Exh. A (part)), 2011)

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The San Carlos Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 1633, passed January 26, 2026.

Disclaimer: The City Clerk's Office has the official version of the San Carlos Municipal Code. Users should contact the City Clerk's Offi f di d b t t

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