The document provides an overview of planning issues specific to Plumas County and includes: 1) An introduction to California General Plans, outlining what they are, how they are used, and the typical update process. 2) A discussion of the required elements of General Plans and examples of optional elements. 3) An explanation of preparing a General Plan, including public participation, adoption process, and CEQA compliance. 4) Details on implementing and amending a General Plan.

1. Planning Issues Specific to Plumas County November 10, 2009 Presented to the County of Plumas

2. Purpose of Workshop Topics to be Addressed Introduction to California General Plans (10:00 to 11:30). Lunch Break (11:30 to 12:00). Panel Discussion – Best Planning Practices (12:00 to 1:30). Working Group Session – Planning Opportunities for Plumas County (1:30 to 3:30). Role of Participants “ Where do we want to be in 20 years…” Introduction and Overview Introduction

3. Introduction to California General Plans

4. As part of this presentation we will: Discuss what a General Plan is (and is not) intended to provide. Discuss how a General Plan is typically used. Describe a typical General Plan Update process. Introduction to General Plans

5. What is a General Plan? A General Plan focuses on shaping the physical form of a community over a 20 to 25 year period. It is an expression of community goals and priorities; It is a decision-making guide; and It fulfills legal requirements created by state law. Introduction to General Plans

6. How is the General Plan Used? A General Plan has specific uses for individual community members: Board of Supervisor/Planning Commission members – use plan to evaluate policy changes and make funding/budget decisions. County staff – use plan to evaluate building/development and make recommendations on projects. Citizens – use plan to understand a community’s long range vision and proposals for different geographic areas. Introduction to General Plans

7. What the General Plan is Not A General Plan does not typically provide site-level details. A General Plan is not an operational plan. A General Plan is most effective when it is dealing with the physical environment. Introduction to General Plans

8. The General Plan Update Process The basic requirements for a General Plan: Each county and city must adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the county or city, and of any land outside its boundaries which in the planning agency’s judgement bears relation to its planning. (§65300) The general plan acts as “constitution for future development.” Lesher Communications v. City of Walnut Creek Introduction to General Plans

9. Basic Requirements (cont.) Comprehensive Planning Geographic. Issues. Long Term (typically 15 to 20 years) Consistency Equal status among elements. Between elements. Within elements. City of Lincoln’s updated General Plan has a 50 year planning horizon. Introduction to General Plans

10. Elements of the General Plan The “ Magnificent Seven ” mandatory elements: Land Use. Circulation. Housing. Conservation. Open Space. Noise. Safety. Introduction to General Plans

11. Elements of the General Plan (cont.) Format and Flexibility: Elements may be combined. Plan may be adopted as one document or several documents. The degree of specificity and level of detail of the discussion of each element shall reflect local conditions and circumstances. A combined Open Space and Conservation Element – City of Lincoln General Plan Introduction to General Plans

12. Elements of the General Plan (cont.) Popular optional elements: Air Quality ( required in the Central Valley ). Design. Economic Development. Growth Management. Historic Preservation. Parks and Recreation. Public Facilities. Scenic Highways. Seismic. Introduction to General Plans Emerging trends elements: Agriculture. Water Resources. Sustainability.

13. Example of Optional Elements County of Calaveras – Water Element Prepared by Calaveras County Water District to support the County’s current General Plan Update. Comprehensive element addressing a holistic approach to watershed management, including the provision of water/wastewater service, climate change, water quality, water conservation, and flood management. Introduction to General Plans

14. Example of Optional Elements County of Tulare – Economic Development Element Comprehensive element addressing County-wide business attraction, expansion, and retention. Policies addressing labor force development, supporting value-added industries, expanding current economic base (including agriculture and tourism). Introduction to General Plans

15. Example of Optional Elements City of Oxnard – Sustainability Element Designed to address recent State legislation including AB32 and SB375. Policies addressing global warming, climate change, sea level rise, energy conservation, and long-term water supply. Introduction to General Plans

16. Preparing a General Plan Adoption deadlines: 30 months after incorporation. Housing Element revised every 5 years. Update recommendations. General Plan Guidelines (Office of Planning & Research) Last revised 2003. Introduction to General Plans

17. Preparing a General Plan (cont.) Public Participation (§65351) Goals: Inform the public. Obtain input regarding major issues and objectives. Participate in alternative selection. Inform decision makers of public opinion. Work towards community consensus. Introduction to General Plans

18. Preparing a General Plan (cont.) Public Participation Tools Townhall meetings. Workshops. Publications & Surveys. Website and Interactive Technology. Committees Steering. Advisory. Introduction to General Plans

19. Preparing a General Plan (cont.) Introduction to General Plans The Draft General Plan Goals & objectives, policies, implementation measures. Background data in appendices or separate document.

20. Preparing a General Plan (cont.) Adoption: Legislative act (§65301.5) Inter-governmental Coordination (§65352) Cities, counties, special districts. School districts. LAFCO Regional planning agencies (Plumas County Transportation Commission). Federal agencies (which may be affected). Water and utility providers. Affected Native American Groups. Introduction to General Plans

21. Preparing a General Plan (cont.) Adoption: Submittal to state agencies: HCD: Housing Element. Division of Mines & Geology; OES: Safety Element. Resources Agency: Open Space Element. Special Situations: Board of Forestry: Fire Protection. Mining & Geology Board: SMARA. Coastal Commission: Local Coastal Plan. Introduction to General Plans

22. Preparing a General Plan (cont.) Adoption: Recommendation made by planning commission (§65354) Adoption made by legislative body. Notice and hearing (§65353 and 65355) Introduction to General Plans

23. CEQA Compliance Adoption or amending a General Plan is an action subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Ideally, the CEQA process should parallel the general planning process. Objectives. Data Collection. Alternatives. Introduction to General Plans

24. CEQA – Our Integrated Approach Introduction to General Plans

25. CEQA Compliance (cont.) Key Aspects: Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Describe significant environmental effects, including cumulative and growth-inducing effects. Mitigation Measures incorporated into General Plan. Tiering. Master and Program EIR’s Introduction to General Plans

26. CEQA Compliance (cont.) Advantages of Tiering: Streamlines environmental review by focusing future documents on project-specific effects. Deals with secondary, cumulative and growth-inducing impacts on a broad level. Analysis and mitigation can be incorporated into second tier documents. May cover future general plan implementation actions (e.g., master plans, CIP, rezoning). EIR required for certain exemptions (SB 1925). Introduction to General Plans

27. Implementation Implementation Measures Annual Reporting: Legislative Body (by October 1). OPR. HCD (Housing Element). Introduction to General Plans

28. Implementation (cont.) Implementation Tools: Zoning. Specific Plans. Subdivision Regulations. Capitol Facilities. Redevelopment. Acquisition. Introduction to General Plans

29. Implementation (cont.) Consistency with the General Plan: Zoning. Subdivisions. Specific Plans. Public Works Projects (§65401). Acquisition/Disposition of Property (§65402). Optional Capitol Improvement Plans (§65403). Introduction to General Plans

30. Implementation (cont.) Basis for exactions: Adequate General Plan can provide the basis for exactions (“nexus”). Soderling v. City of Santa Monica Basis for thresholds of significance: Objectives and policies may provide basis for determining significant impacts. e.g. Levels of Service, Noise Contours, Aesthetics. Introduction to General Plans

31. Implementation (cont.) Amendments (§65358): No mandatory element shall be amended more than four times during any calendar year. Exceptions: Low-moderate income housing projects. Consistency with Airport Land Use Plans. Development of Local Coastal Program. Compliance with court decisions. Affected specific plans must be reviewed and amended as required for consistency. Introduction to General Plans

32. Implementation (cont.) Amendments: Suggested Criteria: Is the amendment in the public interest? Is the amendment consistent with all other parts of the General Plan? If other changes will be required, are they being considered at the same time (“ripple effect”). Will the amendment necessitate changes in zoning or other implementing ordinances? Introduction to General Plans

33. General Plan Update Costs Introduction to General Plans

34. General Plan Guidelines Published by OPR as required by state planning law (§ 65040.2): Guidelines are advisory only. Guidelines include discussion of general plan process, format, statutory requirements, and other laws and issues which can influence the general plan. Introduction to General Plans

35. General Plan Guidelines (cont.) For each mandatory element, the OPR guidelines provide: Background; Court cases and Attorney General’s Opinions; Relevant issues; Ideas for data and analysis; and Ideas for policy development. Introduction to General Plans

36. Example: OPR Guidelines Issue: Parks and Recreation (Land Use): Ideas for Data and Analysis Assess demand for parks and recreation facilities (often expressed as acres/1000 residents). Identify future park and recreation sites. Policy Suggestion Address location, acquisition, and development of public park and recreation facilities. Introduction to General Plans

37. Example: Local General Plan Goal: Distribute parks, open spaces and recreation programs and facilities throughout the City. Policy: Construct new parks and recreation facilities. Action: Acquire and develop parks to meet the distance from dwelling standard (3/8 mile to neighborhood park). Introduction to General Plans

38. 2002 OPR Update Environmental Justice (AB 1553) Community Participation Sustainable Development Format and Element Consolidation Optional Elements: Water. Energy. Introduction to General Plans

39. Panel Discussion - Best Planning Practices

40. Planning Opportunities for Plumas County