HomeMy WebLinkAbout0472.094City of Palo Alto
____ Ci~_~I~~ag_~r' s ~epor~
10 TO: HONOR~BLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MAJ'IAGER DEPARnfE1Io"f: Planning and
CommunitJ Environment
AGENDA DATE: October 17, 1994 C~{R:472:94
SUBJECT: Draft SHnta Clara County General Plan
REOl.IESI
Santa Clara County 1'1..as requt','itt;'~j comments. ar~d rccommcrlJatiom 0;1 !.hdi Dr~fl GClH.'rai
Plan fmrn all 15 cities withln the C\.ltlnl)'. They havt r:eque-.ted thi,~ fe('dr.3.ck ill time f,)f
their Plannillg CommIssion public hearing on November i 7. E)'j·L SL3.ff rcqiJ,;"t~, tn,;., lilt'
CDuncii n:vieil,: the draft plan, consider th~ Pial1iiln~ Commiss,iun re'~'imnlt"ndo[ii1n 'H;d
forward any comments or rcc(1omlcr'.dL'd H~\,j<;!OI)S 10 th~ County.
~C<1'c~ATIONS
The Planning Commission recommended lhat one poiicyJimplemematiofl me~UTe retanng
to Stanford University ~ rev13ccL Policy U·ST-3. page 89 of Book 2. should be re·.i~
to add tbe word" Academic" at the beginning of the ~enten'.:e. This. recomrnend:.ltion W'iIo:'
made if] response to a C()mmfmt fronl: the Sen.ior As.s.bta.'1t CilY Atwrney (h3t lht;'
additional word would rna.ke the ~tatement more c.onsistent with curren! Tnree-P-,u!y
Agreeme.nts between the City, Stanford and the County.
~LICY IMPJ.lCA TIONS
The Draft County General Plan contains Iillllly policies and stntegies fOf guiJing Ille
physical, ecnnomic and social future of Sanm Clara County. It is acknowledged in the
document that the successful implementation of its policies will depend upon tn.e vOluntary
support actions of many agendes, particularly the 15 cities who are primarily resporuible
for development within the Couney's urban are..dS. Aithuugh it is not a lega! re.quir!!mem
that the. City's land use decisions be consistent with the County General Pian, it is wonh
notlng that the County's Draft Gem'.ral Plan is vcr)' compatible wiLh our currenl
Comprehensive Plan and with the draft goals. policies :m£! programs in Ille curren!
ComprehcnsJve Plan Adv lsory Committee retommendations.
EXECUTIVE Sl!MMARY
The Draft County General Plan contains 3n executive sLirnmary whidl identities the
overall themes of the plan and d~cripLion of rile process of developing the plan content.
CMR:472:94 Pqe 1 of 3
The lengthy document is divided into two parts: Book A d",,!ing with Countywide issues.
and Book B which separates ilsues for rural unincorporated areas and urban
unincorporated areas. The portions of (/Ie Draft Plan which may be of most interest to
the City of Palo Alto are in Book A: 1) growth and dev:lopment; 2) tramportalioD;
3) resource ronservation; and 4) govemarn:e. In Bocl< B. L'>e section on Stanford
University is of interest, Highlights from these sectlnns afe summarized ..... ery briefly in
the attached Planning Commil,ion staff report.
The Commi.lsion was generally quite supportive of lbe County's Draft General Plan.
They acknowledged that mucb of the teX! in the plan is easy to read, and includes
descriptive background information which is now missing from our own draft Policy and
Program document. They mentioned that they look forNard to adding similar background
and ""ntext to Pale Alto's Plan in Phase \I of our Comprehensive Plan process.
In addition to L~e previously recommende-d change to Policy U--ST-3, they e.,\pres5I..xI.
cono.-m only in regard to the GOYernance Section of the ducumt'n!, 'Page A"130, £('..0:0.:
A, Some Commissioners had reser-'ations about revenue :sharing, p.artii:ularl).' ',vithou! a
better understanding of how it might bc: ~t[ilcture<l. Othcr:s expressed re:,ervalioIl .. '\). .. botH
a Countywide: Pianning Organizatkm with authority to de\'ctop anti impI~mcnt
Cnuntywide pli.ULS, stating concem oycr jos~ of local ((Intn:d,
FISCAL IMPACT
The most significant pGtenti",,1 fiscal impact to Pato Atlo might be foreseen to result from
the County's draft proposal for 5rtaring revenue, discuss-:d in lh~ section called
Go,ernance, Book A.
ENVIRQNM}:NT AL ASSESSMENT
The County ru.,; prepare<! a Draft ErR fer this document. The document i5 avail.ble ."
the Planning Department and = be reviewed UteI e.
ATIA~
Planning Commission Staff Report of September 28. 1994
Correspondence fwm Greenbelt Alliance dated September 26. 1994
Draft Santa Clara COurley General Plan
PREPARED BY, Nancy Maddox Lytle
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW, ;~t"'4'?A" ;f~<ldtt'4 .
K.ENNETH R SCHREIBER /'
Director of PlarUlLng and
COTIUDUruty Environment
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Pagoe 2 of.3
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CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ~ 1\\ ~
BERNARD M. STROJ
Assisran! City M .... g.r
cc: CPAC
PWming Commission
Owen Byrd, GreenbeU Alliance
Lee Weider, Santa Clara County Housing Coalition
OO\'ld Neuman, Stanford U Iliversi!), Pi"""jng Office
Curti, Feeney, Stanford Management Compan)'
Andy Coe, Stanford Unlversity Governmental Affairs
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PLANNING COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
-ye_
1'0: PLANNING COMMISSION
HlOM: DEPARTMENT: Planning
AGENDA DATE: Septtmber 28, 1994
SUBJECT:
RECOMMENDA.mL,{
SLaff recon1ITleoos UJ..31 the Planning O)mm i ss10n r~\'ie-· ..... ' an..1 comment on the Draft Sa..1ta
ClJ.rt. County General PleJl. for~2-faing a.n~' rt.YOmmend2!ions 10 the City CouDcil for
I.~ir considf"r<uion
~ACKGRQ].L~
Sanu Clar-.. Count)' bas I't!e.aserl fc~ public review aOO comment their Draft General Pia., ,
They have COOlPJetcri an update effort of their ex.isting plan following a work program
much like Palo Alto's C.ompreberui' .. e P12n Upd.ate proce-ss. They are, hO\'lever at the end
of their tllit~e year effort and close to fiNl pubiic bC'Mings and adoption.
CommentS from the PWming Commission, CPAC memboers, and the ge""ral public are
beioj: forwar<ltd to the City Cow!<:il, and any comments on this document from our Cit)'
Cooneil will be forwarded to tilt Ccumy polic), maiers for tiltir consideration prior to
their actioc on the plan.
po! reY IMPliCATIONS
n.. Draft County Gene",1 Plan contains many poli<ies and 'sll'3tegies' for guiding the
physical, ",",nomic and s.ocial p.mu-e of Santa Clara County. It acknowledges tllJl.t
SIl<Cd5fui implemenwion of its policies wili depend upon the volunt'uy supportive
actions of many I<gencies, particularly the IS cities who are primarily responsible for
development within tbe County's urban areas. Although it is not a legal requirement tlut
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city's land use decisions be consi'llmt with the Count)' General Plan, il is worth noting
that £be County's Gcnernl PIan is very similar to our CUITl.-ilt C0mprehensive Plan and
many of the new visiol1S. poJides and strateg.i~ arc .."imi!ou 10 l..hc current CPAC
recommend;Uions ,
DISCUSSION
The Draft County General Plan conl:a..i.ru an cxecuti .... e sum~ry whkb identifies tM
overall tbemes of the plan and ~riptiOD of til< pnxe;s of de,eloping th: plan c<ml<IIt
The lengthy plan documeru is divided into Iwo pans: s..",k A deaEr.g with cVIln!ywide
issues, and Book B which se;>erates L'5UeS fvr !lie rural Illlin::orpcrated are," and rbe
urban unincorporated art:a5,
The poniOIl5 of the Draft Pian which may be (If (0:;: ITc(Y~l imcf<::"S! to the PlanIihg
Commission in Book A are tno;:-! r-eiated 1<", i') growth .::.r;.j d;;;\-el')f':Jlen;,
2) cr-.m.sponation, 3) res<)UTCe conser:atir:,:' 3M 4) g~~\'err.:...'.r,~(·
In Book H, the section Gil StaJlfard Un.i\'ersit~, is of :nter61. Jol:·[J r;;:1 <.",)r.:iS~ des:r~r;;('~r:
of the StanfcrdrCtry(Cc;,'JrHY kla!. ';:,.n.j b~,d u~,e 1'0\;,:;:, r~\:~:_i\'\r.sh\j)
Growth and De.elopmtnt, page A-14
The Coun..ory is continL!ing to promote sttawgie's for ;,:ompa.ct de:vetoprn.-:-n: V;!rsus spia ..... L
in ordei to make efficient use of eusting in.trastruCt1.iH', ir.ne2sjn~ u.'1! kzs.ihiiity (If tI<!I1..;:lt
system development, and increasing proximity of hOUSoLng and emplr'ymem. To,,1,o
strategies fOT acc.omplishlng ttill ar~ applicabk to Palo Alto.
1. Urban Service A%', The i'.m is an existing '''''teg)', reillfort'«i b~ State
Law, !to/! use of Urban Service Ar .. BOillldaries for controlling tbe ',hon
term' expansion of urban growth. A good exp!ima~oD of this low and r!Je
role of the Local Agency Formation Commission in the approval pioctSS fot
boundary expansion is con",i""" on page A-16 of Book 1. ~ boundaries
now exist for some segments of Stanford Land !ha( >Ie ",thin the Cit), of
Palo Alto Spbere of Influence. For example, e_1;:p~Hl.'iion of L1:eSe bciundarres
would be needed if the Stanford Un.ivefsiry and CPAC propo:->als 10 d<:yelGp
ilousin(lon the QuaIl)' Road site'(i,e., the site on Quarr,' between H(xw« and
El Camino Real come to fruirion. They would also be needed fOT any
geographic ell]laI!S ion of rhe Stanford Research Park,
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2. !Jr!lall Grow-.h BSllIOOatie:;. The secolld COLlllty strategy is defining umg
Term Urban Growth Boundaries. which function to delineate tOO", areas
intended for urban Uevelopmeru from those whicb are not.
The CPAC is recommending a consistent program for establishing an "Urban
Limit Line" fur lands ",ithin the Palo Alto Sphere oflnfluence. Such a tine
would likely only be es!ahhsbed through a revision of the existing "three party
agreemeru" which DOW exislS between Stanford Uoj;·crsil)'. the County and
Palo Alto. and Stanford bas e>.pressed concern that such a line would violatt
their charter premise thai all lands held by the Board of lrJ,tees are for
ultimate academic =. CPAC is recommellding that the establi.hment of
long-term growth boulldaries be a<complished in WDjunctiOD wiL.'l additional
entitlements fur development rights for the Stanford Hospital,. Research Park.
Dream Terun and other areas of the ciry. This lint is recommended to be
established along the City boun<lzry in the Stanford Research Park ar"".
setting aside the Coyote Hill, Deer Creek open space segmeills, as ',,;t:ii <is
the foothill rldgeHne area kno'1¥D as "the Di'sh". TI!.is subject \-\'ill be
appropriately discussed in me upcoming hearings and recommendations by rile
Commission on the DIan CPAC PlOgiWlS ;;!:OD Pallde5 dOCllrnei1[,
Transportation, A-54.
This section of the Cwnly Draft Plan contains strategies that are vel)' consistent IIoith
both the current Comprehensive Plan and reflective of many of the new polic)' and
program .re.::ommendations contained in the CPAC recommendations. The prima.'}
strategies are: I) coordinatelaod usc aIld transportation planning le.g .. encourage Transit
Oriented Development or TOD's]; 2) increase pro,imity of jobs and housing; 3) increase
densities along tnnsitlines; 4) design deveJopmeru sires to supJX>!1 travel alternatives.
The language in the document is very similar to our own current policies and draft
recmnmended policies. The .:<planation is more descriptive and may prove especially
ioformati~e to members of the Commission who were not as involved v.ith the entire
CPAC meeting process effort.
It is particularly worth noting that of the ex-isting intra-<;OUDCY light rall system, only one
out of 33 statious. the TamieD Station, is multimodaL This statiOD link. CaJtrain, the
Light Rail Transit (T....Rt). and the Santa Clara Count}· bus system. This highlights the
furure opportunily for Palo Alto's inlennodal transit stations. While the s=rio is
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oX!rem.I) furur.stic, CPAC is 'e<:ommendiDg tb2.t It< C(>Ullty Ugh! Rail Plan extend to
tbe north from the pj~ Castro Street station. <liang EI Camino Real, 10 the California
Avenue and "Dream Team' intermodal transit stations. This "ision might someday
provide a North Coutrty lntermodAl Transit Station which would link the intra-coutrty light
r.ril and ("-"ITrain to both !he Santa Cl<lra and San Mateo County bus systems, a
significant regk!IlaJ accomplishment in transit integration.
Resource Coo.~aIiOD. l'agi! A-77
This section of the Draft Plan reinforces current and proposed city p<llicies regarding
open spa~ in the baylands and foothills, waler quality management, riparian habitat
prorection. heritage resources, scenic resources, soUd waste management, and energy
resources.
It is woIth noting that the Draft County G-er,eral Plat". contains a section titled
~Go\'emance". which is a Dew element al~o bel.ng recommended by tbe CPAC in the
Draft Polky anJ Program dOClJrnent. <Ihe County element describes tlle failure of
fragmented planning to s61vc regional problems :ike housing supply and affordabiJiry,
regional mobility. air quality, and countyvl"jde economic development.
One of the key 5trateglcs is the cn:ation of a COUDtywide Planning Organization with the
.umori!'j to develop and implement a countywide comprehensive plan. Another str.tegy
is the refojm of tocal government financing to enco!Jrage ba~anc~d land use, encowaging
such -Gtrategi~ as reVe1lue sharing. ThcEoe two strategie..:; could have signlficaut
ramificatiOU5 for local agencies, and it is hoped that the Commission will spend ",me
time considering them.
Public Participation
The Comrnission and Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee were advised on an
eariier agenda of County-Sp<lnsored public meetings (attachment), whicb are being
conducted !hrougllout the Count)', for those interested in more detail about the process
or in asking the County staff questions about the document. \Vhi1e the CPAC has no
additional meetings ir, Phase II schoduled for thi, purpose, it is hoped that individw.1
members can transmit comments to their Co-Chai.rs who can present them to the City
Coundi.
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The most significanl po!mtial fiscal impact to Palo Alto might be foreseen to result from
:be Count)"s draft l'f'OPOsals for sharing reyenuo, discussed in :he =tion caUed
~GoveTIJaDCe· .
f!'Ml!,ONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The COUIlI}' bas prepared • Draft ErR for this doc'lmem. The document is availahle by
CUCIlIainZ :be Count)' staff through !be process described in the "Public Review Process"
section "f Book A, a.nd staff Iw requ .. ted a copy for !be Planning Department, to be
availabk $OOI1.
SIErs FQLL~NG APPROVAL
Comments. from L'1e Planrting Commission 3nc ('PAC will be consolidated for City
Cou::-dl rt"lriew ar.d consideration on OcLDber 17. 19<")4 The County Planning
Com.m~ssion wlll consider the Draft Document in l\'ovemxr, and a calendar of County
heanfig dates is attached.
ADACHMEl'iTSIEXHIBlTS'
County Public M""'i.~g Sche<1ule
Draft Santa Clara County General Plan
<;:QJ.1RillY COPIES
CPAC
City Attorney
Libr.lrieo
Owen Byrd, Green Bel, Alliance
Ue Weider, Santa Clara COU!lI} Housing Coalition
David Neuman, S!anford University Planning Office
Curtis Feeny, Stanford ManagemeOl Company
Andy Coo, Slanford Unive"i!)! Goyernmental Affairs
Prepare<! by: Nan<;y Lytle
DeparaneOl H=l Approval: &~Nt/z£>(?L~;q&,o
Kenneth R. Schreiber
Dlrector of Planning and Community Environment
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COunty of San ... d Clara
EnvironrrK' .... lIal RCSOUf'C'CS Ag<':O(')'
Ac.t\rat"lltX PkaT~ 0ffiIT
Cn.1'Y}" Covcmn~ Center, E..A<;3 'M;~
7O~~$jrt"t'l
san~.c."""~mfIO
+4Oe) 29;).;!$2 I
GENERAL PLAN P'UBUC OUTREACH
MEETING PLACES, DATIS AND TIMES
SEPTEMBER 22 Sunnyvale Senior Cent't'r
Room 581
82i)~" \1cK.Ht.!€\' A.\"~nu."
Sunn~',·ad.;', CA
SEPTEMBER ~7 County 0: Sant,) Ciar.'l 7:UClpm~ 8:3Clpm
SEPTEMllEl< 29
OCTOBER 5
70 I,'; Ht--:ki:!l,~ :.tT2E'
:·,;.n I(~~,o;', C A
Gilro'\' Senior CenteE"
Se-ction . C'
7371 H~nn<!
Gilroy, CA
Campbt-il Comrrmn.ity Ubrary
77 Harrison Avmue
C.mpbeU, CA
GEl'oI'ERA.L PLAN UPDATE INFORMATION LINE (408) 299-3135
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Mr. fun Gilliland
D<partment of Planning
Cil)' of Palo Alto
P.O. 80. 10250
Palo Alto, CA 94303
',, __ ,,0"'6'-'"
SeplembeT 26, 1994
Re: Draft Couilly General Plan COlTUTlents
D<:i'S Mr. Gilliland:
We understand that ylJ'J have re{'enil;: f'e("<:'iW'(l !.he draft COljm~' o~;; :nJ Pi ",n for:. I ),~ C:,')'
to review and comment Oil. We. wOLlld like ~ pro'fide )'I.'u .... ith O~ a.1pJ)<.i<; of Ul.e-PLin , ... h:r"~l
pm:tic1Jlariy pertains l.O the Groll-i'·,.h and Developtnenl., R.o<;~.(',U(~ C .. 'ns .... ·T\ .!.:5,nrt a;<,:L tf-~ l ... ~r,"ll)'~
Plan Chapters. I serYC'.d 011 Pha.~s 1 and n ofUle ('(,unt)' GCI'CTJJ Pi~.n fn:c.,\' oy~r tre L"q
4 112 years and can oifcr a pers~ctiv~ i trunk '.-'vule! be helpful.
We realize that Palo Alto, like severn1 Q':her citi.:.s in Santa C1ar..s: Courtl)', ~bc-i. not h.lrder
on significant rural, hi.Wrorponued 1and {mo~t.y FoothilL ... Park and Arasu~ pro)l'('rues} a..'\(j
tre:refcrt". may not ha'ie the significant di."'ect impac.:i from County dcvelop!i'CT11 activities.
However, Palo Alto resid~nts all directly bendl! from a cohesive COl.1nt)w;de plan with polKics
governing overall growth and devGlo)lment, tr,msp<Htation .. hous.ing. rerou('('( {.'cnsc[\'ation, h'!JJth.
a.1.d safety. paris a..,d I'eCrC'.arion and other issue,~. The plan offers a s.el of pol;cies. which pr'-"ITt'.)~:i.
sensfble, long-tenn growth m.a...13.I$em:t1t that discouTllg.es Ilmher u.rban sprawl and in lurn help'S
keep city .s.ervic;;es more efficient, encourages public transpo:tatioo ~c:. ra:h.k.'es air at..d ~'8tc:f
pollution, and prorec.'tS natura1 reiOJ.Il:'C'.e'i that benefit all Santa. L1aJa County residen.t .. , no matter
wruch city they reside in. Please J'e\'K:W cor attached {;ommeniS ",1m thai larger !<Cak pers.po:tivC'
in mind
In SUmiT'.ary, we ha',e the follov.':ing comments regarding the draft CCWlt}' General Plan:
1. Oyc;rall it is a rood SQlid ptannin~ dOCument which states clcMiy \hat urban grov.1h sho>.dd
occur in cities and rhat:roral.areas should mnain nn"3l am na.turaJ :rr.~ s..~()IJ Id be proto..--wd. It
comains strong lan~e Ol'i compact.. transit oriented development strategjc:i !t rttommcnds thal
cities bordering 0., unincorporated rural land adopt 20-yeaT urba.., _~wt~ b.,.,)lIn.:l..uies:o pro""id~ for
better long·rarlge planning. more efficient developmen! and !a.""Id conser .... ation. It <tJso rcl'-Ommel"liis
these same ciL.~s enter into jt1lnt land use agreements with the County gOH'rlllng rw-d1 iandr,.
bonlcring cities as a way to provid: greater long·ri.nge l.."'eT".aint}' to those: ta..'1ds, The joint land use
plan would give cities greater control over unincorporatAi lands within their sphere of infl ueoce or
other specified areas of city interest.
The Plan maintains existing minimum 101 sizes (or the agriculture, rural fesideMi~l., bi.ll~.ide ar,£l
ranchland zones a.!ld offers some improycd Jang'Jag..: on allowable use~ and proJ.cti;'t liil"ld
preservation measures for the agriculture wne a!'.d de:velopn>ent ~srriction'ii ir, lhe hill~ and rural
residential zones. cOl1lilUlea
~tAIN OfHCE .. a, ",.~w ~i(li1:~om"r:o Suit .. ~J, 5.1I. fr.u"'j",, C.\ 9410.'5 .. tllSI ~.1,-..jl'jl
SOllfH ~t\YOrACE • 1921 TheAtarn~,1" Sem .... ll'" vn I,~C," '?Sl:t> .. (~:::-'I"":i_(I",~
ltq' .?1Ri ?$ 'N
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2. We'd like to see jrnpmys;m:nts in the following areas:
-a clear defi.nirioo of low tnten.s:ity!low densit)1 development fo~ lion-residential uses in the
Ilillside zone (ecvers 180,000 ,,--res of land) to prey"" high ;'T\pac' deyclopments
-mort precise definitioo of open space dedication ""Iuirements for non-residential
devcklpmcnt in the hilWde ",ne
3. F:mpbaus 00. Inmlr;gmagOOn mt f.nfon;c;menL With the County's "'''OOlp1'ehensive planning
oec1ion (reoponsible for Goncral Plan mnew and implcmemlltion) cut by half 0'''' the las, four
yeazs. it will be impmWve that the Boaro of Superviso" make implemenUUion of GcnenU Plan
policies rop priority fer the CoUD1y's Planning OffICC. We want to avoid repeating the situation
irnmodi.attly following the adopOoo of the ]98!l County General Plan which ""u1tal in ir.effective
follow-up implementation.
It is also important that the Board of SupervlSClfS sec strong s ..... 'PP<ln for the oow polk)' which
stites that the Board should only aCOl'pt for revIew general pian amendments which are
"subS-tantialJy C'()n~istenl" Vlith the goals a.T"td policies of the pJan. This. n.ew policy is imP\lT1:Ult and
should be better defined (what "subs.tantial consi~tenr.:y'l mc--3...'1s) and rigorously enforced.
Please refer to ~ attached analyses br an elaboration on the above points
r would like the!: opportuniTy to S}"'eaY with y,JU as you are drafting your comments for city
council consideration so that we may elaborr::te further ('.bout the relevancy of pa.'1i.clJ!ar plan
polides aIld L-nplerrlCntation items to your city. I will ~aU yClJ shortly to:::,et up an aproointme:nt 10
discuss thts.c issuts, Th.ank you fOT taking the time to consider ow co~nt.s.
Sim.'en::!y. ;;/.. ,~/ t:!:~ !!i:.'nc
Vicki Moore
South Bay Field Dim:t.>r
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Santa Clara County's Future
A "" ... bIu.."rtnt for de"elopment and conser ration wflt "elp ensure tile
_Ie rlUllty and environmental health of Santa Ciani County
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.-.:."" .......... ,-:; --"r, ,"'"'p.-:..l ":1 ;;-)"'t/
What is the Santa Clara
: County General Plan? ""''by is
it import .. ,rt?
H::' <;C":tfOlJ yL,.:,r,,~ LhC' blueprillt fOT
II:::{<,-'.Hlr;),"sfuture It dire(t~ ... 'h("re
~,e· ... ' C:t\~ioj'men [ 10.:11 .~o ~n.:1 ..,'hir:.h
Grt'enb,·l( r<L"~d_\ -irn.-Ilirling farm
i:uJ:l!, ....... !/-:"ni1I'-,b, ;u!d ht~lsid",~ -¥llll
b,.' !)r,)',!'nf"d
The $mu. 0 ..... '"4 CG~mt}' Gen~n_: Plan
J.;ms 10 cre.i!:l" mOl'e ji"able;and ~!.ISU.W·
ab\~ comJljLL"llut".lo by dUel.ung new
<!<:\'l"!opment to e-Q$W::lg uroo.n Uea5
2nd pro:e.:ting our 5t1ITounding
Gr~ bdl of (.'pen lands.
Th i I il lmporta.'H becaU$C in $;mea
CblrJ. C.,ounty, 114/IL)(i <tCTCS of i.md (an
area /Q.grr th~i S4l1 J ~) are a.t risk. of
~pnwl d~lopment in the nex~ ~O
~:-'l> . .s..re3.\.at;~sk spm 1.'1e cOlmt)': th~
.:-.. 51 C,::c, .. !.!,in5 £-,um Mi~pita~ (r) GillO}"
the (AyOle, So .. lIh Almaden and Souil'l
s..a.·H~ Qa,,, ~';I1im and tAlm,~,t~
::.ro' Ind Sa.n J ose, C1Jpc=r DJ.1D, los Ca.lOS,
51! ?loga, MOJg;m Hill and GllrO)'.
Itu;,,, :>( ... ,;.rede,·e-~opt,J.ilwili
thO'.' IJ ';"J "',, ~ .:I., [.'.1 JS dH' ",'e CJJl set',
mll"';l ·.,cr~<:: u--.. ff:r: conge5.t.!{)[l and
rlIQr.::.Lif pcllulion 1l .... 'II:o.1>o mean
11(;\, \;o<:e:, lnd ~ignjfical1t redllction, in
1.,1>~C mhln S{·r...~u:. s-1J(:h:n poli{(' _~:ld
fu-e prOLe(ti{)o, llbrarie$, p:ub and
recreation, Sp rear.H'H.,<t ne-.<o' d(~;\"e1op"
men t costs much rtI{)P! than compa
r;lbl~ ~moun t.I of "lnfil.r d~lc}>m em
in ~ting urb.n :ar~.
The cast of $PrJwi was. a keY re",>on lIo'hv
~11'lJOse 1'~{"~nL"" r::h,.,~ no~ to !!'xpand'
into nearby ... grituhun.l vall~'!!, And
it', a key r-C-... '\011 why S~ta Clar;;.
Co-"ntpi1ou!d adop. a new f,l"r1l"r."IJ
pl.lll th;u ~mph~Lz.es. wd er,foJce,
Greenhel, pr,,:t(ljrHl, urban gru,.1h
tv:-·unctlJies (h) I-';PU,Ue-lI~'t:';?;n -,wrJ
nJq! ar""'.I}. d,(j prOlJ.ott5 inf:il
df">e-!('pment
Who prepares the plan?
What', tis current !iitatus?
Tht g~nerd pian i~ up,-i.lled 3.ppw"(i.
maldy 'Cvery 10 yean., A rilil.~n anyi·
-,.or} «)ll'Itliuee h:H wori;,'d ~'ILh r,lan·
m.'l g 'l2.fi 10, ::. 1/2 \'(:ar~' 10 de\e1op a
nn,' d!a(; G("wr.ai F'J:.:.,n, It ",'ill be senl
to t.he C<.)unt~ PIJnnil~g V.'IIll!IIs.s.L,m
.t.!4,OOO .". •• C1I s-t.. CUt1l Coull1y',
~ (J~_"" bi.M:Ic .. d«k tr.y)
Nt!.Ilf riM (n'lpBwI " ... ~ ill til_
11_.11 JO y_s. A.~ C_nt:T G._,.I
I'~ C1M l'~C'" ttt. th.r • .t IIf>nIrl;t/llllly.
:;u-J d then to ttl e Board of Sou pemsors,
for.a finaJ vo(t: by mid·December.
Prior to the vote, the ("ouo ty wi IJ h0'5 t a
sei,es of public inp pt ~ic n s.
How will the pia" affect
where I Uve?
Adoption;:tl'l-d enfon:c-ment of the
draft Ger"l'~f.t1 I'l"r: ""ili m~a.r.:
:':'t:('pir,.~ jot,~ here b>' protc-<:tmg our
(jlJali<j' of life, ""hlch lttraLf5. and
r"!~lin> empillyet! a'~e-rnp!l':I'er.\.;
~:e".~m'g uJ( pl:blir cos:--\. ct" dry and
COU[1i,)' ~cn~({'r, In cheet by (ml:iing
t:X~"I1~Wt" sF,r;r",i;
r"dt;(ing: ;;.ir p,;..llution and C0n.tlTJl:·
n,t'.lon of STOUIHh .. ucr and Ihe Bar,
m::lkln.'S Ol,r rOJ,(h.'ilY; It ~~ (oflge~:,=d
and p·.Iblic r.r"t\5i, mor~ effi..:ient:
p~o\~dillS: better hDU$il1g tl.at's
mere;> affordat,i,' .and ,3.cce~,ibl .. :
I ("
GRE£NBEL T A1.UANC'.E • 19U 1h& Alameda, Suite 213 • San Jose, C4lifomia ~ 95.176 • 408/98:J.OS39 • 800/54,J..GRE~N
~~","=dandJ",~
tttt-l_l., hU!»da, ~ 1ol'1d(j.f~ ~bit.ill'
f()f" OUI U:11d..r~f1'J. f"ru:-t: Vld O>Jr
own o::urn:nt OUtdOlX rt:~atioc-o;
pt"ot.cni!'lg 1M: ftrtik fa.rmlL...,dJ. ltl
l.."e ~e i ..... ld Sou ll'l ValkYl' from
bring bulld,~ ref w1;..dm$lon.l;
~ o::~rn.e joUlt "gT1:'e""
iUC'nti between c~flQ..uW ~ «"WHr
to ~l nuoJ ~ a.!lod bnD-
~ ... t the C'<Jgr:,; 0{ outS, (!.dining
~ diuirn: t bo-u:ubrr b.:-twttn ~
Ul-lJ NnJ areas..
Whorl are the most t""",rtMrt
policies In the plan?
f·l:;. .. nn~~",:: ~~T;,.-:-,~; :)'-,c (::"",_.;,'
,.,:1l~::. t,~,( df<I., ' .. 1'1 (,' ",,-,:"'1 r ... -:,
::,;,(::-nt j:>:'~;'~' '---1 0
',' ,-~
l'I!:-,,-n gr"'~u-J d;J c1.e-',·' ,,-,,t ,h.'_;;
r:,,('~r ,;, 1,-, Ul" '~,(l-,~ [ c ~~ ~:1.:r.J
:ore.,. ~:; .. jj r::'~~ ,'f> ."r.1 ... ,,;; ~!.e:
.iJJ, ' .. "'" 'T","': t.o; ~;;'.~~;,n-!:,~t .... -.Lr'!
prot<"':uon -:;.1 ~,:;,i~uiLurt l.n::l n:lur.d
r::~",Jr,-~<
LOflg-h,-rm, :;?v.)('&:, ur~ ~O'>o·th
OO~:JJ.u~ (UC&) ~ ~ .. dvptt'd
to d~'O!';oF e(ono.tID.ulr,' ~J((ew.ful
.1 • ."10 ecul~(:o.:..J' he1ithy cil:.c-...
UG& 5-'..'pf>,:m C!t'l"'c.:nlr.Ie-<.! gr(,.~'t.1.
Th.i:!. lew.s. to dflCicn~ tnN?Ort,;,,:jon
sysu-rra, m<xc illcn4h.ie-~J.lng
linll!d to pu bli-c rr.w~r.l.nd m();~
O:;Olt-c-!l(::::;t.!\--f.: <:i~ Krvic~ t.:GBs
«A)b.l..1 o(; ..... -::o.,-d spl6 ... ':.a.~ld F',iJle .. t
Gf~en"t><:Jt lJr,d~
• J (;.r,ll.;.ro.1 a~e "t;1 C:CIl;::nL'" ~h .. U k
tR.,lrd bec...'cC"u (iueJ.;;u)d U,(,
t:ou:-,ty to lr.:>C'l In UGfu L'h~ ~:..bJi.zc
UI.~ nw.J/u:-b;,....") dj--li1t be .rw-t::n
VJumyarld<.;l)'.
" 1'rv:..-... "1 th(' !a:r.d.,
OJ''= <,,~ 1./,,' u''Jljr~''~ :. ... ].' ,,';·n is ~o
pr"L((; ,J, .... i..1.nd ... "d it, nltun./ r~·
;.uu((<,,~_ lJI-C dr.,f( !-,I;;'n m;4:H"'ln~
Itbo::\d) l.:lrg.: p.n<.tl ~iu~ Ii ... ;~.-.:"f.
Q,j~ &r'r'a.J {9O-4i:l ~a,llnd hiliW1<!
&.nd fOIr'I(hwld M=-U (20-160l.crr:~)
~ ,ue,u i.no:;ludc u,(' ~-'3.J-t fT\,;ljority of
n.tr.a.l unmcc.r-ponlal Land, It al.I.o
~ on" j,: ,_in tcnloiry ~nd L"$oeS. with
mi..-,"Iin' .... l ,rr,p-;;(t on /.he b.nru..::.,~.
r .... ~c! p bel~r pro~_--c-L<!'d ffOm
f1.ln.i ~!knti:AJ sprawl aml coat'Det'
cw ~pment N_ ~ffOl'1J, &rC'
pn.-"f"C.sor:d '..0 help 100.:&1 fara)':-n and
~ pt'rman~t -protrction of
farm~,d. Gcm.mer.-:i.al r'n-n-.atiornJ
b.cilities.,. JUch.u ~oU (DU~, InJ.'r o.-.tr
~ ~..-mit1ro wnefl Ult)' ",,"iJJ h;i",!, n<:l
.. ~'~i'.u)l C'Jl~-;.n_'llln<!nu.! unp~li.
-t, b1~Y'I~ th# f-Lar_
n.,. C .. ,..'1<"r-;.i i" 'II i" albplcd -"::.("f •
'.;; ~:~ l '1;"~'_":":~~1 V-ih:"'c pro.:",\..., "n,j
lC:~"~l5. i., c~u:! ,"~I .~'" '~(,r i)lt
( .. ~ .~,. "'I,~ Ir.1" n,:"-,, ,,,·~,r(d I,) ),J,:,tC(i
v~r "',~:r'. ,-,illf...:. \'·r '"'''I''''.J C''
i,:'-' <"(_I j [ .. !, ,.;T;' <",j ':'-',( '1 t~ (-.. [I:., [,
". _., y<" '--....... ~ r"-i::':" t,,) .lJ;,,\-<' :.:(,r(,
.,','.<"" 1·:":11 ~'i1 a jJ,,-,;...'tl':,.j II' o"OlL"11
11,. 'Jj'-:,'~J;ty ,'I tJ:~ F~-U1 Thr-d,·.dl
1 •• '1" ,,',c~ u-"'l :.t-.t P",,;.,,] of ~j)"':r't-~
"."') )i~,>~!.:i (',r,];' ;;(("r[ I"r "...,~(" ...
l'e'r,':I.lI.I,l.H, ;",n~n(tr;,·trJl\ .... t"dl .. It
'J,"1:.!i",,:Jci.:.~:: •• ,-"'\I~:<"i1l" ' .. 10, tht' ~",,-i1
l-I",j ):-"~"',f\ (>, lh .. pLUl "[1-,;; n:-",
F"!'" a jrnp.'r{.;.n( ';'r,d Ii,",,! i:.l.(: l""Iltr
c.efi<',t-.j ;lnJ n~Ol',.)lI5Jy el1{of{t'd
What poUeles sIK>u 1<1 be
~1
wL:nC)-'lohoul6 n:-quire ol~
~t(".r.i open sp«cC" dedu:~tior. ror
commt_!ca.! d"....,."..lopn.enl; d~ol!
dtfirHti():1.~ ,If ~iv"" illlen:l>~!)'~ d~·"it'lof"
n,trH 1>:'\<.0 tr'l~ic.:.l!o p:-:,.t'!"l' o.tul ....
VdCp:ll1:lI: in rllllsid.(" .;u-t',;u,
2.~~of_"'''
ti.tJ~OJ'lf.
T},C' (oun!'/ s.!1OU.!,J pldl out all tht'
;'(,;:-:. t,.;""o{"p'-";(' rF':'~ ;t~lnC'x!:'~ nr'""
1.l;A, 'o-,i,'d, ,-,'.tt lh ... 14, len ~~ar~
((,u,cn'.d tl""C-: 7,00u..,cr~; (.f fann .. lid
"pell ~p;.c~ l';'lld tu urWni.Iltl.m -lhe
c-qu.i, • .,!ent of .:.Jdlilg ... nt" .... ' ,: ll)' the ~i;:(;
vi ,I,!"u.nC-fin \',<" .. , to (h<" Cnunty.
,---
\\'1111 on:;" limited COIWty pUnning
rt;S{'\Uf(C.5 .av.aiJl.bl::, if Ii I~r:f)' ~I only
the lOp priority action pf~sab in tht
p: .. n .,.,ill be o.nied O\lt. ThJ.!'-I why it
j, U·llp·" .... 't to tell the Sy~n; th.a.t
l;GB5. joint agr-eemcn ts., hil1.Ndr:
dc...:lopment controls., and fa.nn.U!.d
J>f'ot'!'c:tion ~e, should be at Lhe
!Op 0( tht list of impJemcntaUori
i te:vu. If c .. rr:ied out, thne p"ogratt:a
will go a long ,\OO ...... y towatd protectiro.g
()LJr county'-I natur.iLl heri:~ ilOd
impro~;flg Que qwJi')' of lifO!' .
What can 1110 to make &<Ire
the new pian prohx .. ---ts ocr
quality of life?
W,i/--I' ,')-"...'''-' &pn7.i,,{}r' and lU-go! him/
f:<"r lo:, :'dop~ !.lle gc:'I,;<:r.a.i plan if...l.
''''-_<)!T:i!~I,':lded by the cj'12en',
,d1 ~-;cry cOmullll<"i" .... iu, ~:'-rngtArru,l r.: ~,;vs <m. h:.llsi-.:tl ~:..,pmnJ and
.:H;r .... ~;;..;.n U:"IIr.ili.. A.,I;, Inc:'m to give
/'''P ,,",-.,,;1., J/.) ~(ara~ poii."lM_ rn'I
!. 'DSr., j"irli land ~u c,1Puvtm.i..J,
fiJ.~:r-.d p-r~,-,i.o7'l g-nJ nsJri:aicru CT,
~'--..naJ pLHl ,:;.mn.JrI"<!'T..L;. The
\IlVr,i.kJ~",.ill hold a full publi.:
rl'."aru'i<: Oil the FJ3..I; on Dec-n.
'rh~ ~:..~( ... uors· addre~ U. 70 W.
Heddin6' St.. SanJOY-, C-\ 9511 0,
2. ~'nuyow-Mu.yor~ ~
M-mWtn, llf'ii.ng Uoem tJ,) suPP'lrt
l:CBs., b-ette:r hi1l1ide dev~lopmen(
controls, jOlnt land U~ agreements
an d strict en f0[ ce-men [ of the
C,oun ty Gen(':<l1 Plan,
Questlons?
'i-:()f qllesliofl> regMd-.!Ig the GcroeraJ
Pk.!l, who yC>U-r Supervisor is,. hearing
sch,.dulM, or h(,)w }"ou can get in·
voh.ed, ~onuct C;reenbeltAHia.n(e
toJ-ap,[ (40B) 983--{)5~9.
CRE£NBHT AJ...UAN C E • J.'i22 he .AJarn-.da, Su It. 213 • S .. oIl),o ... , Ca.llrornJili • 11151.2& • 4:l8;~83-{)S:W • BOO;643-GRttN
L
\
\
\
\
\;: .,-
Santa Clara CO'" t\' Ctfllrral Plan
A Focus an Jmplementa{ioo and En(orC1!ment
Why is 'mpume"tatioR 0/ G:enrrtd P/.4Jt IN'ficUl So J;nportdtU.'
1mp1eme.ntatkm 'Will make the diff~ bctwtc:n a G:::r.:u1l.P1.a.n thai wcrl.s and cnc: th3t s.its. on the
shelf. The pohcies oflh< plan will have lillle",-, unless 1da,'\WZ:~''''' m.lde availabl<
CO impk:ment therrr-.iDduding suffictcrH County P1l.nnmg sWf il.'K1 futili tmpJerTX'n.laOOn of tht
Grn=J Plan is supp<l'<d iO begin soon at"" odopti.XI of !h< Plan LI1 ~n"'t. '99-i and \lie
:ie\'eta1 yeaT"i j\I.~ to complete the hig:h pri,ont)' ilems. The." f,'ll.I¢~l:'i.g, imp~e<na1t:HJ.0!1 ;:-.,)1 K:'K') th~1
are in !be drat plan mu~t ~ madt priontles b)' t.."Ie BoW of St.'FI(TqSCf'.
::..-WQilL'!rilb~ili_J:;.5Ja.P1i~L.u.r.tJ.n-U!llil b 1~'p<I j "d;) [ i f'<:
tVA), Ihi<;nWifi'r.r: Urban gm",.,-th b()ur;.l2.J~~' tLXJR,\ J.r~ t~~ C,-...(' .", .'1 h'~ rr~\'(il:,: n-.c.·
groy,t.~ m3nJf{"m~t ('h<lllt;;,!:es ('flh~ Ji,)fI, l'r.~fb ~:JJi~ ,.'r:l~:"::': :,1 ';':-l~~~~ "t ., .. r-:,,'n
tand~ .,. i1i t~ ~.oe'H~io~~1 and y, h:.; 1"1 .. ,d: to.:-r-·~':~;I(.J Th:) (n. 1:1.1 ~ "or'i' ;,.;'~n_ ~,
devt"iopLfl::-nl · ... -itrJi'I e~.i:'tin:g ';I~':T'!Tl:'<.'li~:t, :-,r:j c:.;-,~r~:" :L'--'~:'l::-'-lil ,"'<"1: ,',;,-::,',-r.:c::!
(.1l1lS.idt Ll<: ~)U!~,~1.ll")' \\'ll:~';'JI ,j JII:--It:-'C:,:~:'~ :"I_'-'~':I ~,l ";::.11',':: :,' -:'C'"r, ",' "'. ;1; I:k,::'.
contimJ:: tl) grow j13ph3~n!J y, cJ :l,' t(~ .... ':,'[1 I;: 1111,'(..;'· ;::-,:~ ,..:~,:<1:' l'" [,'. :. ,11 U:':: \'.j 1·,1. r' ,~.
=,pl;.1.wl we live ',~ith !{'".by. lieS':, :,I~('1 !l::ir h,1!.j ,~,.·,"'Ij ('-:' ..:,.,-r~ ',':' .l.' "'1'0 :.:,,--.. ~~
encollrdging more cO)l,e-ffK!eol1 <,;,)mp:;,.:-( d::,\ '~:':I,-i"',"'; '" :t~ir:, I~:.-.'
Why this mattl!l'S: BiooL"1gjO'i:t iand \J~ -:f:ret";rnen\, l'('~.H·c"', th" CI\iJr-Jt~' y,['1. (itt'.;. ""hLl'h
borde: 011 rural uaincorpcwatc:d land is;l <.Titkal pl4i.rt:t1::':: ,t._;-J;'~'.i'J,7 Irl,H ,-'_':Jl }'rNe.:1 O)::'::'!1
lands sl!l1ounding and in Detwe.cn cities This l;c--.d b rnQ~1 um:-l!cl',,·,j b~ ~uburt-.tj, ~pr:H.J
due to its prmumir)' to tit.~s and their ~n'l.:;ti
Once su{'h an a~eemenlls negotiJ.ted, lL (,.l.Il Ofl.ly h::-dJant:t'lJ by il~~nt or
all the jurisdit;!.ions. TIlis is very diffeJe'n: fmm the ..::umnl sjULltlO!l ..... here indli-'idul!
cjti~ a.'ld counties C;aIl-· and do--<+'.ange the if de ... ejoprr~'i" l pl311 So U<ll ialo:-rJ I :y. Wi:h .10 Ln!
agreetnents. doci)ions about development in C'lfttnocit areas. requ.J-e mort strin~eOl TC'\'lf;"""
tC assure thaI they offer kmg-lt'1m 'oend'ltS to tht CQ'U.'lty as .... -eU 1.\ me ne1rby city_
.. MenD!)' means for lonr feem prc:co'aljoo Qf [armland R<:V1C" a!JQwa~!e yseS in
the Apjculruce 1l!01j joclltdmg gpi(cvurs...-s
Wh)-' this mal/prJ.: Santa Clar.l Ccnm"LY's. ai~i~ul\ljJ.:J n.:;.:..,: po'> Ick-:-. ::-J~'I'IC"",rj\ bo::nl.."flts lO
local n::s.jden~ aDd our a:oMmy, Our fl11nhI1d~ gro~so:! S I 57 million Jd.-Sl yeM from
crops like mustlrooms:. nursery crops., cut flowers. bt"Ji peppes, caule. le-f.lii(:e, and
chernes. These farmlands. primariiy illlhe SQuib Valle) ---0CLh of Sa!l JCi~ ~nd around
Mmgan Hill and Giiroy--are Ihre.:J.ten~d y, iffi s.uburb;1p. ~rr:m! II ~e th.1! \\ hkh (Un,'.UIl"ied lIle
orchards and fidd~ ofihe Santa Clara Va.Hei. Unlc-"" tk C,-,um~-I;:O).;-c, n')(':)f.'.i-1:t:-, \0
pemlancr~tly prclec[ thi) lJ.lll1 (or fJ.rm:ng-<i' .. "j l~,a~ drc n-:~rly rr~"\ti1 '.'. .::.,11) till tiw __ -e':;
ecorwmy will s-uff~r ilila futuJt fl~ncr,.\l10n~ y,JJ! JIO: CI1Ju:,' [J.e t~_--:;::i~I' til 1,),;il fJ~;l
products. Review 0faHowable uses in the-Apin .. !:wc l:ono: i~ ai~) Jln,,(HtJn! [(I a_ .... ~j.l['e tfIJ.!
they directl)' SiJjJp0n. agriculture and in f!D W:ly induct nt':w Oe\'el{)pm.·m ,
\l,,\I ..... t III it. )
'-.(1l,I,[II\\ l IJ.,!
"
_ Amend I,AFCO a,oci' Agep£>, Eom13rjoD Cornmj"siop) fwideljnes illld MidI'S
retarding 'DOnations and urban seO'jft orca expansjons for c00:>is:epcy with
the polices of the reyjsrA ('{>llnty General Plan
Why this matters: In the last decade, LAf'CO h.as approved t.he convCTSlon of over 7,rXXl
acres of rural fum and hillside land to urbilniutton--thc equivalent of 3ddJllg a ru::w city u;(':
size of MoUll tain View 10 the Coun \)1. That trend musl !'tcp. Th('; staled objecti \' es of
LAFCO are to encourage oroci'i fonna.tioo of Lcx.:w. government agenc ies, preserve
agricuitura1land resources, and discourage urban sprawt (.Inforrunarel)'. LAr-co is.
virtually an invisible publ.k agency thaI has J'e(:t';ived little publlc scrutiny 1..'1d ha.,c; routinely
approved urban expansion~ in dire:t opposition to its own policies. By a.metlding LAFOJ
policies. and guidelines and taking &Cuons consistent \1rt'ith them, rural land COflVO"SIOIl
should ~low do\vn dramatically.
In addUio1J to the items abo~'c, tWQ more importan.t implem'(!ltatio,.~ ittms sholi.tf!
be adckd to the Genual PitHI during the public rnie'i-' prO(,Ff5 thf.I' Fall:
, dev:;)op 1] definition of tqw den'ili.l:liow il'!ten.:ill.J:,,~ .. \c.: .. .t9.jl.r.<,·.~.:.ti!L
insppropriruuigh inlensltJ:_d~_r"J.l.lp.r.!~.nlj,a~~~.ZQH~
Wh.)' thismatren: The County GeJ1t'.i3i P1Ul "tate~ th.;tt th~ C'0lJr,lY ~h2li 1!~,'>"\' 0::1) hI',
density" uses in !"1..lm.1 unincorporated ~::'T(:<L"" The rrot,!tOl is !he (.\)!.u1l~" ~a~ 110 (:C"flfli!~~'r;
of wh"t con<;tiWh::S "low density" and devdopers. arc tr)1ng to get .;:~pro\'..tI ror prl))t:<.b
L13t <ll"'e far from low iry:.-ens.~ty--c{)m..'1ie.rci·a1 proJe(t.', \I.'ith major ;.::rad.\.ng. lOad blJild~I'I:;.
septic system'), water u~age J,.'ld the ll.ke. This runs contrar), to (Ile Cemlt)'\ ,b:{1:il of
maintaining rural areas as. rural iilld prC1!ccling naTural resoun:e \'aJue.~. Th~ Gener;1.1 PI.iH
should include a new impiemenl<l.liun policy!o de\'c!0p specifi(" rmena or s!JlldJ..nh to
pro'o'ide de finitiml 10 low inten:<'ll)'Jlow der\.~i(y de.'cl(}pmen t. Tt;(:~ ,."ril,:ri:1 S-hlhJ!d 1f:~·ll.k~'·
water demar.d; trnffic generation; wa'i!t v.ate'r ger1{~I<Hio;1 and d.i sp0:O:;:U: .ill~n.tion Of n.l(ur.:J]
topogrdphy, drainage pauem:s, habitat, or vcr,c!ative ~ .. over. usc of hwnflll ')·It'miL'Ji~. "'U~'11
as pesticides and herbicides; ripari<!l1 art.1. or hnita.ge resour.::e impan:.:.; overall
infrastI'l.1Cmre improvements; and, loss of prime soils or other unpact upon local
agriculrure.
In addition., ClUTCnt debates regarding: open space easem:nt ded.i::3.bOns. for
non-residential developments in the hillside zone should be s.c:ttled with roore $pet:iC;c
language clarifying the extellt of dedications required a..'1d the: its legal justifLcatiO!1.
-dtyelSW criltria to gerlDe the phrase "subs'antially ffinsisw1 wjIb Ibf
basic goals and IXdicies urtbe General Piau" 10 gujds: dtrj$ionmaking on g:cc[,,11
plan am;ndment.~
Why this maner$: The draf! General Plan adds a new p<)licy Stati:lg thallo~e Boanl of
Supervisors dwl ac(.,'c:pt for processing only General Plan AmendmeniS which are
"substanbaUy ('.()nsistenl" with the bask goals and policie.<; of the GeneT'ctJ Plan. TIlis. is an
important improvement over the. old PlaJl, \Io'hich colltained no s.u.d policy, But unlc$S il is
further defined. it leaves open considerable blerprer~tion and may nel protrXllIie IfJ!\!'griry
of the: Plan. For example, ihe Sargeant R.'l.nch gent:ra~ pJil.1 amendlllenl propo~al in 1992
would have changed 37 policie~ of t..l-te General Plan in ordef 10 build a 3,900 lin II hou~i n~
slltx1ivision and office park: on farrnland~ a.nd rolling ran(;hlands soulh of Gi Imy. It wa:)
rejected by the Hoard of S'Upervi.sors, bUI only afler a huge leg;)] deb<lle in which Ill~
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development proponents questioned the CoUJlty's right 10 reject an amen.dment based on
General Plan po~icy jnconsistencie~ before leftgt.'ly and costly furJ1~r study .. These types of
debaJes and wiltrove:rsies shou1c1 be a \:hi ng of the past .and can be it the conslStt:ncy
language is defined
lJm.iting the number of General Plan amendments acttpted for processmg also allows more
plan.'ling staff resources for General Plan implementation and pro-acrivc planning work.
which bendit.~ trot entire County, It makes the work. on carryi.ng our. General Plan policies
a priority o .... -er 1,l,'O!k on apptications I.hat .seek ex.ceptions to the Plan.
What trill it hzh to m~ke sure lite Gtneral P{{tIt is :mpumenud?
'The: Beard of Su~iS(:rs decide on the COUIlty'S budget every year, includjng the Planning
Office. They need to lY'.....ar about the importance of carrying ouL these critical General Plan policie$
and the n«d for sufficic.Ilt staff and b:Jdget to ~.et tIlO<;e" nw:l.s. even with cutbacks to the Phnning
()ffic(:. Due to SC'xen". bi.idgetal), ror..s.tt3in:.s and competition from the Imny other important
Coun(j' responsibilities, GrneraJ Plan imp1m1entation may nol orne.ry/i:;e be high on the list
What abaui ~nforcemtnJ oj the Pian?
The i.mporta!',:e of t}j~ G~nera1 Pian 3<; a blueplilli for the C()unty'~ fU{\Jre r:'8.nnoi bo:-o .... ers~at:;d.
Arr.tendmeili..S 10 we General Piau chip away at iI,s imegi!)' and ~omelime" thrc,w:n a wholesa!e
oveTthrow of th" Uer:end Plan.
Si.m.;e 1980, U~ Soant of Sur-er.'isors has gTantcd: S-e\!t:ra! d,nen General Plan Am<.'lldmenrs which
C Mil ged the General Plan to allow grcaler developrrkllt in rural areas. Currently pending are
fifte(~n ~fldment or use pen-nit proposal~ als.o .-;.eekinI; devel(1pmem approvals in roml areas.
This type of activity represen:,s. an unhea."-l1y spe'Cul.1li'-'e mar~,e! in rural hnds. It could be stopped
or at. ~e?St slow~,d sum;.tantially if me Planning CommisslQn and Board of Sup<trii~,(lr.., stIi-.:tly
uphdd lhc G::neraJ Plan S~l.llalors Y<ilJ ,.;top gambling en cheap rur.u land.$. 'Only wht":n theLr
odds of succeeding with amen-jmellts or que:'>t:ionab!~ use permits declines. If Lhe: Boam of
SLJPC1Vison; consLstently says no (0 desrabilizlng amendmenlS and allows only truiy low intensity,
narural resource compatible ~s in rural areas, rural real e::;Llte spa:ularors will find better
opponu:tities m OUT ci.ties~·where new development belongs.
Smct enfortement of the GCllcroLl Plan also fuifiUs the County's desire tD build and maintain public
trust with the general p\lbl~, the cities, and indi viduallando'Woets. TIle Gen.eral Plan will be
adopled after a long and thoro~gh publk Pr'lXCSS, representing untold hours of staff, elected
officials', and the PlJblic's ti:ne. effort Ltld Imowierl,ge. II is the blueprint for our future. dearJy
representing the community a1 large. Any changes to the Pta.'1 are S(:rions busine 50S. in which we all
have a stake.
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Santa ClAra CounlY Genenl' Plan
i.ssues or ffiJisidt l..one Density/Intensity and Open Space DedIcations
(or-Non Residential Development
ISSUE: NO CLEAR DEF'lNITJON OF LOW DENSITY DEVELOPMENT
The County Gener&J Pian does not def1.l1e tfle level of intensity of dtve-lopment allowed within the
hill.s.ide zonc:. There ue 00 performance-standards relating to o-affn::, wdter use. infrastructure,
ph)"'Sical. pa.t"I1Tl(1ttS. Ctf specific env'i.J.""'C1'<~nw slaI'\d..anis ~D whlth to make an objec'tivt evaluation
of a r.on-~tiaJ de ... ·clopn)oCnt pmpo!),.1]. This has jed 10 signiticant cont:I\)vers)', legal costs anti
st!.ff time dea:.ing .... ith me Boulde:-Ridge ('rOlf Cour'SC proposaJ and wili likely lead to more
(~\ntn'I"e!'s.y (). .... ~ ""i...~ gc~f CO:.l~ an-.1.0ll1cr Mn-residentill d.e"e\:Jpment propos..:lls. to be
c')ns:ide~.d ir: fmure momn-;.
Th.:-6,:jl C;cn.:rll' Plan WM l!<.e Pi~J1 p.,."lky tOi:'ills.!dr:s. Sta1e~ IlJat "1:1nd:;; sodesign:lrefl Sh3Jl be
r;t"';~r\'.:d !2.q;d)' in f~2.:wal r'e<.:Olli"'t( re~a;c.() ,:t!1d l'p':n S:p3.Ct m-:~" and "alJow..lble u~s. shall b--::
,:"",,; ~~Cf!: -.". i ,,; th:: C,)rl,',f'[Y Jli,::,n ail:] ',"'1 ~I! \J~r; 01 !bc~·,' rt.".Si.lUrce-:; ul1d levels of developmcr!t shall be
lirf'''':;..c,:t 1(' .1\'o:d ;l~~T~a_.;..~~l ,1t."'!Th'.;}::i fijr r~biic s.eT,ices and facilities:' II allows "!ow-density
n:·:n:-J.ll()'~.11 u':.c.-anJ fJ.ciljt~es.,,,:lrd curnmn(lai. i~lduSlri3!. orillsti!:'.llional uses, whilh by lheir
,~:::tl..lr\-11 r~ll;rt 7t:ITlG!t, rural stnil1gs; or 2) which S;JPPOlt the rCI,:reatlonal or producb .... e use.
~u,xjy or app;e.:jE,[·or; (or the natur.'ll ~rr. trDnll~nL" Ttl\" PiCt.fl goes on 10 :sW tc that "NoJl-rf"<;tdt;:ntia!
~<..e.;; li!oy..(".d in 1 tlllsidcs. 3_H:?' shJ.ll be of ~ &el1t'nlly low densLIY or !()\-\! inten.~i[)' natur .....
<1~~O(,r' .• j'_ng. on Ik \,l.~, 3.~ 1:-' cer.5\"H'S.,,\ ~':.h lr._c boas:r.: inH',m ... .\f \11(' Hill.siM::. de.~;gnaiii)n to ?reSeNe
It:-~ r:'"~O-'Jrces and n .. !al ch;;;raCtei 0f lh(' land," (L U 25)
PROP(lSt'P SO! PIlON
"Iltr Counry s.hoo.ld de~'eJop a $(:1 of criteria, in the form ot.perfomtaJH.-"t'. standards which ~'il!
clearii define: a low-densit)'IlIlU':Il<;ity de .... elopmcnt l,;oo:;lslen.t with ~source conservation goal.s and
equally dearly ck:fine Oeveioprrtents that arc not low Oensit)'/lntensi!y and consistent v.ith ~oun:c
co:-...servation go.ais_
-The Geo<ral Plan ,t."'" underPotiev R-PR 14:
Privarelj! o~ned reoeationai' land u:;es and facilities witbin rural unincorporru.ed areas,
including, bul nOf lii"nil.ed to goif course, campgr(luru:is, arld similar uses. should be
compatible "'-lth \"'le,landscape and resoUJ'Ces nf the arra .. in which they are prcposed_ To
cn.s.un:: soch rcmpanbility, poler.ti.lHy signilicant impilCtf> oflt".n associated Wilh such land
U~~ ,':ohoilld t.e avoided or reduced to less than signlficant ie~'cls, iucluding:
a water dernand;
b_ rraftic genera:tio n;
c. waste water generation and di~posal~
d alteration of narural topography, drainage patten,s. habilJl. or veget,lli .. 'e COVi.':r:
t:. us.t offlarrr,fl.!i chemic.-,ils, such ~~s peqil·idc~. ,1no h~fbkidc~~
f. riparian arC-;i or herit..age n;S(lUfce impact:'.; a11J,
g, 10s5 of prim<: s.oi.is 0;-other impact upon local <lgricultUl'e.
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I.·'d;~, "., ,-,"-"~'" ".,,,1,,,,,,,,.,,,., "~i"I" • ~11-'1-"1'>'1
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In 3ddi:tion, Policy LU 21 $tI.1~ Ltut"Land ~ propos.ed fOt inclu$ion v.,'ithi.n !.he HilL"ide zoning
dis:trX..1 rmy te ~'alQllcd for conformity v.ith [h( iw.en; of th.i!> !.and lI~ cic-si!!narjon. by \.'an()lL$
measu..'"'eS of land use inlefl:sity. in.::l·.Aimg but no! Lirnj~ to. a. waste V.-;HeT ger.cratJon rates; b.
traffic generation rate5; c. e....;IO'1t of gradll1g, .. '(:geta~.o" remo .. aJ, drain.a[:c mOOification.'" or ol~r
alteration of the ~tUraI ettVJ(OOmr:tJt; and d noict O! o~r nuiS.:lIlC't potential."
This list sbooJd sc:n'C' as the t:asi! for the criteri..llo be u."ioed b.,. the Count)' 10 dc .... dop nw::irnl!m
threshold SW1d.uds.. We it(:(KiUIIt ud addrng o::hc::rs includmg jnIra.s.rruc~ improvement
rcq~tc;. (road wldcning. plUXing f.cili~ lighting. C'a:).to pnwick: a rTlQrt-thcmugh gauge of
<Mnll imp>n
PROPOSED POlICY J.ANGliAGE
Ad.:J Lrnplermn:.ation Item to LV 2j (l-!.ill~es [..J..IXi L~:ioe PU.I"I Pt,ucle"!.l which .<;tatc"s:
1'h;: Cf!urny ~hall de'vdop Spi"\:~f:,-cr::ef\J, (': 5:"l:,,13.P.!';; ~\) r~~~· .• ,:e d~fin;tJ ,,1:1 t.:o Inw
in cer,siry/i","",' L\er\5::Y df'Y(~'~;':l~i-:, Tr,t~ (n:t ['.0 \,1:: to:-u,.:d !~""l (',-;iJ IU~1." n,Jn·n:-.,;,km;,3.1
d(' ... ek.prr~nt r-r'},"l::"''ll', (,'r (Il:-;'!~:~"';:) '>'>Ill'! rr-c C':r::I,~l P;~',;l'~ if,~,~n.1 tu ,,-~~ow onty l0W
Inttmi t)'!1,",o;, ~"I,l!)' c.~,~ ~:, ';-'::>e"n! i i: I.],.," Mi:: ~,~,'-:" j,"~,~ ,'J'K.1 ,h,,~ .!~d ~!.,; k:~e \1,.(:("[ (km3nd;
rraffK i='!'Eer~tion. '0\-"'3.::.,::-.. .;::cr ~C'7i~J.!:!,~;: ;;r,j l~!~f~l" .. ,d: .::l:n:H:'I,':1 "f:l;lt'.'r-aJ [q,ogTJphy,
dr.!1112:;C P':!eTT1S, h2.r:t,H, l~r '.'c:=tt~~n t' C;,J-,.tt", l:'", e,l )-'1"11:(,11 ~'h:-I-)'iJ...'':'].., ',L];'II ,J, pnti( idt'~
:!I1j hcrb:~'JJ::-,: ripanl(\ :;,..r,': C~ J-.-:!:'~';C' :e-,.,-,:;T~~' ir:l;'_'_~:-; :-,y~,.:...ll i;lf12<n, .. :,'i'lh'
lrllpJO\·tll~'lb; ;c:d.ic8i-llfrrim--: ~~'J.l~ c" cher t:l'j'..:C\ 11p"'i! k-~';LI a,,:;ri ':11: rure
ISSUE'. OPE~ SPACE f ASn!FNT OFDICA 110\'$ rOR ;'<()"·RESIDEl'iTiAL
DEVEl.OPMENT
Re1alcd to th~ -'low dcnsiiy" C.(.1nr.ro~ c;>.r l!, the 1'-:1,1;(." {1f ('1'<"11 "1'::;:(" :kJ..i,;;,ltl;ln r?"qUtTc""mert'; L:);' I"on
res.ldential de\'dopmerl ir) th!, hJ thklr: w:1t. Af,:::.~n. n~r:',dtr3bk \"('r: tlW. n5.)' has r-n,pted
regJ.fding legal JUstiflc.-u:on (or 3J1 open ~'t('l' e::;:;.emo:n' \",1 nC'i"I·n':.icki~tl,1IlkHloprr,::nt.
What the Draft Gc;nc;ra! Map w.tn:
'The draft Plan Land Use PWl pol:cy under tulJs.id,es states i."1 LU 18 "ror all u~-s a.l1owed. in
Hillsides areas other tf-...an agriculu.nal and s.ingle~f~mily ~s.identiJJ land l.L-.es. open "ipace
preservation by means of easctnent deilica!ior. rna)' be ~'ll.lnd in order UI:
a. p!'O!<ct the public healL"
b, prevent or mitigate potentially si~ni~ l advenc envlror.menw iITlp2Cts; <'ind/ol
C. En create perimeter ~.!'-eas th.a! .ade.qwaely buffer rrelghbming prupc:rtics from adverse off
;J", impacts of the p.-op<>sed WId us<"
a. the nature of thr land use~
h. the duration to .... i1kh that I.!.Se has bc-.en entitled through C"umy pennitting procedures;
and,
c, the ex.tent of alterations. made to tt"l(" [1:l,luraJ JanJ.~;>pe.
LU 30 Land uses whi<:n do nl)t l'"e.:ej·,f 3 p<'m1.::M·nt er,:Jikrrf."r,l ~h,)ul:.i ,101 b<.; Icqwln.:-d to deillcill.::,
open ~pace or coo'>ervatio(\ ~,a~me(1.t.s (11 ;i, p::n:nallCf;l :~:~Ju!l':, ulIk:., r04,J.lftd ... <, <l. mi\i;satiQn 1'0\
alterations l1'.ade lO thf n3 rU!3J la.'1ds.:.ap!:
... /,.
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PROposED 8m 'moNo There are a variety of ways to detronIDe appropnue and kgaliy
ju.stifiabk: open space eas<ment dOO.icarion rtqU.iremenrs for noo' rt;$i<i:'ntuJ dc\--elc..prne11 t W~
MCCOll U llCikl developing a matrix or chart providiJlg .i rTI'!thod to rneas-W't: (]Vaal! ~t (hl..e t.'rose
above) and relate the impact with an open space dediOltion requi.mnc::nt The greater tho(' i.,-npac1
(falling wichin the low densityfuuc:ns.ir-,'defutitioo). the ~ the opal ~ dcrliC.ati01'
reqWcmcru.
In addirioo, doe I<> recent legal question, regarding the County's righllO n:quirr <>pOl ,~
dodicaticns, we =ommeod that the Coonty add policy lan~ "ub spocili<>lly rel.tl<.S tbc
Id{ullUa::::m ofpennanem opec space dtd;ca~)0.5 with bo«h ~ an:! non-~tia.!
dc\<eIoprnem and its permanent impact "" til< Coon!) .. , run! rnuuaI == land>. This ""uk!
prorect!he County's infen:sts if its oper, '!JllCe d<dicotioo ~ui.-m=!> ....,. ev",-clWlen~
PBOPOSEP POLICY l.ANGllAGE: Add language To LU 28 ~.Hllisi::k$ Lana Us,: Piar.
PoIK;ies) which state:>;
The County shall devdol1 a list r:-( criteria"" hid, ret .... :' th~_ !en:i of irlll':l:-:i l):dcr;''.l ry elf 2. {,,) 'I
reside11tia.l dC'o'eiopi't'leflt \\1th pennanen: Opc'rI Spll\.'-r d~t(.9.O:0'1 r~·::J:rem:·T'"
Alw. we re<:omIlXnd additlg laJ1r,uage ((. LU 20 wh!d. j'Jstifies. &:~~:l r"~T(Cr:t ,\-':11 'rl":~
df"..diCIl,joll require~r.t for hill sides rt.'sidt'Ptial Cill"Wf c'C\";::q''l...-:n:
..