| WHAT IS
A GENERAL PLAN? |
The general
plan is a set of policies and programs that
form a blueprint for physical development.
It is a long-term legal document consisting
of written text and diagrams that expresses
how a community should develop. The plan is
a basis for land use decision making used
by policy decision makers such as the Planning
Commission and Board of Supervisors.
|
| WHY
IS IT REQUIRED? |
State
law mandates that every California City and
county adopt "a comprehensive, long-term
general plan" (§65300). The purpose
is to plan for important community issues
such as new growth, housing needs, and environmental
protection. Furthermore, the General Plan
is used to project future growth demand services
for sewer, water, roadways, parks, and emergency
services.
|
| STATE
MANDATED ELEMENTS |
The elements
of the general plan make up the framework
for decision-making regarding growth and development
in the County. State law requires that a General
Plan contain seven (7) mandated elements
(§ 65300 et seq.).such as Land Use, Circulation,
Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Noise and
Safety.
|
| OTHER
ELEMENTS INCORPORATED INTO THE GENERAL PLAN |
State
law allows each jurisdiction to incorporate
other elements in to their General Plan, as
determined necessary by each local jurisdiction.
The County has adopted six (6) additional
optional
elements such as Air Quality, Public Facilities,
Hazardous Materials, Agricultural, Scenic
Highway and American River Parkway Plan.
|
| COMMUNITY
& SPECIFIC PLANS |
Community
and Specific Plans are incorporated
into the General Plan. These comprehensive
plans guide development and land use in
a more community centralized way.
|
Text only