(A) Filing and initial processing. A draft specific plan proposed by a property owner shall be filed with the Department of Community Development. A draft specific plan proposed by an applicant or prepared by the city shall then be processed in the manner as required for General Plans by state law (Government Code §§ 65350 et seq.), and as provided by this chapter.
(B) Hearing and notice. Upon receipt in proper form of a specific plan application, or upon initiation by the Director, Planning Commission, or City Council, and following review by the department, public hearings shall be set before the Planning Commission and City Council. In addition to the noticing requirements pursuant to § 17.52.320 of this code, notice of the hearings shall also include any parties receiving notice for the public meeting pursuant to § 17.54.020(B)(2) above.
(C) Planning Commission action on specific plans. The Planning Commission shall make a written recommendation to the City Council on the proposed specific plan, whether to approve, approve in modified form or disapprove, based upon the findings contained in this chapter.
(D) City Council action on specific plans. Upon receipt of the Planning Commission's recommendation, the City Council may approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the proposed specific plan based upon the findings contained in this chapter.
(E) Findings. A specific plan may be adopted only if all of the following findings are made:
(1) The proposed specific plan is consistent with the objectives, policies, general land uses, and programs of the general plan and other adopted goals and policies of the city.
(2) The proposed specific plan would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or welfare of the city.
(3) The subject property is physically suitable for the requested land use designations and the anticipated land use developments.
(4) The proposed specific plan shall ensure development of desirable character, which will be compatible with existing and proposed development in the surrounding neighborhood.
(F) Environmental review. The adoption or amendment of a specific plan shall be subject to environmental review in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and the city’s CEQA Guidelines.
(Ord. 2005-11 § 3 (part), 2005)