§ 17.66.040. Specific plan—Filing and processing

A draft specific plan shall be filed with the department, and shall be accompanied by the fee required by the city fee resolution. The draft plan shall be processed in the same manner as required for General Plans by Government Code Sections 65350 et seq., and as follows:

A. Development Review Committee Evaluation. After the filing of a draft specific plan, the development review committee shall review the draft specific plan to determine whether it conforms with the provisions of this section. If the draft plan is not in compliance, it shall immediately be returned to the applicant with a written explanation as to why it does not comply, and with suggested revisions to ensure compliance. When a draft plan is returned by the applicant to the department and the committee determines it is complete and in compliance with this section, the plan shall be deemed to be accepted for processing.

B. Environmental Review. The draft specific plan shall be subject to environmental review as specified in Section 17.60.060.

C. Staff Report. A staff report shall be prepared for the draft specific plan in compliance with Section 17.60.070 which shall include detailed recommendations for changes to the text and diagrams of the specific plan to make it acceptable for adoption.

D. Public Hearings. A proposed specific plan shall be subject to public hearings before both the commission and council before its adoption, as follows:

1. Commission. The director shall schedule a public hearing on the proposed specific plan after completion of a staff report and any required environmental documents, but not before the expiration of any public review periods for environmental documents required by CEQA. The hearing shall receive public notice and be conducted in compliance with Chapter 17.78. After the hearing, the commission shall forward a written recommendation to the council.

2. Council. After receipt of the commission recommendation, a public hearing on the specific plan shall be scheduled. The hearing shall be noticed and conducted in compliance with Chapter 17.78. After the hearing, the council may adopt the specific plan, may disapprove the plan, or may adopt the plan with changes, provided that any changes to the plan that were not considered by the commission shall be referred to the commission for its recommendation. Failure of the commission to report within forty-five (45) days after the referral, or any longer period set by the council shall be deemed a recommendation for the approval of the changes.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)