A. Application of the Specific Plan Concept. A specific plan and its function may be described by comparison with the general plan. The general plan expresses, in very broad terms, the city's planning of its future environment, generally on a long-term basis. Adopted by the city as a legislative act, the general plan may be amended, as required by changing circumstances. The specific plan, on the other hand, is a device used to implement the general plan by focusing on a particular parcel or parcels. The specific plan sets standards, against which developments can be judged, and imposes controls on the use of the subject parcels. The specific plan is more detailed than a general plan and can be viewed as a bridge between the general plan and individual project submittals.
The intent and purpose of this chapter is to establish a specific plan to guide the physical development of a particular geographic area within the city. The subject site is constrained due to sloping terrain, on-going oil operations, earthquake faults and potential view impacts to adjacent condominium development. In an effort to mitigate these constraints and to accommodate the city's diverse housing needs, the concepts, regulations and conditions set forth in the Villagio Residential Specific Plan provide for the development of the site with detached single-family dwellings.
The specific plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the State Government Code (Section 64540 through 65507) and addresses all of the issues and topics specified in that code.
B. Location and Boundary. The specific plan includes an area of approximately 1.15 acres generally located on the east side of Gundry Avenue south of Willow Street. The boundaries of the area are more specifically set forth in Tentative Tract Map 54375.
C. Goals and Objectives. Goals for the development within the SP-16, Villagio Residential Specific Plan, include the following:
1. Reduce the density allowed on the site from twenty-one dwelling units per acre to ten dwelling units per acre; and
2. Attempt to mitigate impacts on views from existing dwellings in accordance with the city's view policy; and
3. Provide architectural diversity and avoid uniformity of appearance while achieving a streetscape with pedestrian scale and ambiance consistent with Signal Hill's small town character.
(Ord. 2004-12-1341 (part))