General Plan Update
PLANNING GLOSSARY

Agricultural Conservation Easements - A deed restriction landowners voluntarily place on their property to protect agricultural land. The landowner either sells or donates the development rights (some or all) of the property to a qualified conservation organization or public agency to protect the agricultural use of the land in perpetuity.

CEQA - California Environmental Quality Act. CEQA requires environmental review prior to approval of a private or public project that may adversely affect the environment. CEQA works to ensure that governmental agencies consider possible significant impacts of proposed projects. For more detailed information about environmental impact assessments, contact the Department of Environmental Review and Assessment (DERA) at (916) 874-7914.

Community Plan - A Community Plan reflects the goals and policies of each individual community. Community Plan policies are intended to guide the physical development of a community on a more detailed basis than the General Plan.

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) - Also known as special use permit or use permit, the CUP allows specific land uses in zones not normally allowed for a particular site to ensure that the proposed use is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Typical CUPs are hospitals and gas stations, or temporary uses such as Christmas tree sales.

Density - Number of housing units per gross acre.

EIR - Environmental Impact Report. A detailed review of a proposed project; analyzing significant effects on the environment, reasonable alternatives, and mitigation measures to the project. For more detailed information about environmental impact assessments, contact the Department of Environmental Review and Assessment (DERA) at (916) 874-7914.

Exemption - An environmental document exempting projects from the California Environmental Quality Act based on a finding that the project does not have significant effects on the environment. For more detailed information about environmental impact assessments, contact the Department of Environmental Review and Assessment (DERA) at (916) 874-7914.

Infill - Construction of new facilities such as housing and/or commercial centers within existing urban or suburban areas. Infill development may range from development on vacant lots the reuse of underutilized sites, such as older strip malls.

Mitigation Measures - Measures included in a proposed project's environmental impact report that reduces or eliminates a project's significant environmental effects. For more detailed information about environmental impact assessments, contact the Department of Environmental Review and Assessment (DERA) at (916) 874-7914.

Mixed Use - A variety of residential, commercial, and office uses typically associated with or along a transit corridor. Mixed-use development specifically calls for higher intensity uses along transit lines and to be consistent with Transit-Oriented Design Guidelines for Sacramento County.

Negative Declaration - An environmental document that states that after an initial study, a proposed project shows no significant environmental effects or, in light of potential substantial effects, the project has been revised to mitigate substantial affects and that the new revised project does not substantial affect the environment. A negative declaration entails that an Environmental Impact Report is not required. For more detailed information about environmental impact assessments, contact the Department of Environmental Review and Assessment (DERA) at (916) 874-7914.

Rezone - A change of zoning.

Special Use Permit - See "Conditional use permit"

Specific Plan - A detailed policy plan that identifies allowable land uses and infrastructure needs for a specific geographic area. Zoning, subdivision, and public works decisions must be in compliance with specific plans.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) - A mixed-use community within an average one-fourth mile walking distance of a transit stop and commercial core area. The design, configuration, and mix of uses emphasize a pedestrian-oriented environment and reinforce the use of public transportation. TODs mix of residential, retail, office, open space, and public uses within comfortable walking distance, makes it convenient for residents and employees to travel by transit, bicycle or foot, as well as by car.

Threshold of significance - An identifiable quantitative, qualitative or performance level of a particular environmental effect. Evaluated based on non-compliance, which means the effect is determined to be significant by the agency and compliance, which means the effect, is determined to be less than significant.

Urban Policy Area - Defines the area expected to receive urban levels of public infrastructure and services within the 20-year planning period.

Urban Services Boundary - The ultimate growth boundary of the urban area in unincorporated areas of the County. The boundary is based upon natural and environmental constraints and the purpose is to control urban growth while protecting the County's natural resources.

Variances - A limited waiver of development standards. The purpose is to allow flexibility through variations from development standards such as setbacks. Variances are usually changes to physical characteristics to allow for development.

Williamson Act Contracts - Voluntary contracts between landowners and a city or county in which they agree to retain their lands in agriculture for a minimum of ten years, renewable up to an additional 10 years. In return for entering into this contract, the landowners receive property tax relief on the lands under contract.

Zoning - Specific immediate uses for land, which is adopted by ordinance and carry the weight as local law. It is the primary instrument for general plan implementation.