Policy / Ordinance Development (PODs)

Tiered Winery Ordinance

Medical Marijuana Collectives Amendments

Building Permit Self-Certification

Design Review Compliance Checklist and Parking Design Manual

Groundwater Ordinance

Zoning Ordinance Update No. 29 and County Code Amendment

Impact Fee Deferral Program Extension

Wind Energy Ordinance

Equine Ordinance Amendments

Wireless Ordinance

Residential Design Guidelines

Board Policy I-63

On December 7, 2011 the Board of Supervisor adopted a new Board Policy I-63 related to General Plan Amendment Guidelines.  The Board Policy establishes guidelines and procedures for the processing of amendments to the County General Plan.   The new Board Policy incorporates a flexible two step review process for General Plan Amendment requests consisting of an optional preliminary review and a Pre-Application meeting that is required pursuant to existing Department of Planning and Land Use procedures.   Additionally, in conjunction with the new Board Policy the Board will adopt an ordinance establishing a new flat processing fee for the optional preliminary review process.  The flat fee will become effective on February 10, 2012. 

This Policy and Ordinance Development project (POD 11-008) is to develop countywide residential design guidelines.  

Throughout the General Plan Update hearing process questions were raised regarding how conservation subdivisions would be addressed to assure that they are designed in harmony with the community character of the surrounding area.  Recognizing the need to provide more guidance on the implementation of the General Plan Update policies as they relate to subdivision design, the Board of Supervisors directed the Director of Planning and Land Use to develop countywide residential design guidelines to address community character concerns and facilitate the design of residential subdivisions in unincorporated communities of San Diego County.  The proposed residential design guidelines will be a resource tool that provides direction and guidance on how best to design subdivisions that meet the objectives of applicants and the County’s General Plan, while maintaining the existing character of unincorporated communities.  The proposed residential design guidelines are intended to be utilized administratively and not for regulatory purposes. 

This Policy and Ordinance Development project (POD 11-007) will extend the Impact Fee Deferral Program.

On March 4, 2009 (2), the Board of Supervisors adopted ordinance amendments to authorize, for a two-year period, deferral of Transportation Impact Fees, Park Lands Dedication Ordinance Fees, Drainage Fees and Sewer Fees that would typically be payable at the time of building permit issuance to the time of scheduling a final building inspection, if the applicant executes an agreement with the County for a fee deferral on or before June 30, 2011.  The proposed action will authorize a two-year extension of the Impact Fee Deferral Program, to June 30, 2013. 

The Impact Fee Deferral Program is intended as an economic stimulus, providing temporary relief for unincorporated development and construction. 

Board of Supervisors: July 13, 2011

Second Reading: August 6, 2011

The Department of Planning and Land Use (DPLU) is proposing amendments to the County Groundwater Ordinance provisions related to Borrego Valley (POD 11-006).  The proposed amendment would require applicable future projects to offset their proposed groundwater demand by requiring elimination of existing water uses elsewhere in Borrego Valley and creating a “tool-box” to implement the water offset measures.  Additionally, the proposed amendment will recognize water credits created through the Borrego Water District.

Currently, the Groundwater Ordinance (Section 67.720) requires certain types of projects within Borrego Valley to perform a groundwater investigation to evaluate whether the project will have adequate groundwater resources.  Rather than require a groundwater investigation to summarize what is already known about the overdraft condition in Borrego Valley, the Groundwater Ordinance amendment will replace the requirement for a groundwater investigation with the requirement for water use offset measures.  This change to the process will lead to cost and time savings to project applicants by not having to perform a groundwater investigation.

Public Review:  September 12, 2011 -  October 28, 2011

Draft Memorandum of Agreement between County of San Diego and Borrego Water District

Assumptions for Water Calculations

The project will include the following changes:

1.  Amend the Zoning Ordinance to create the new ministerial design review procedure.  

2.  Add new appendices to the Community Design Review Guidelines consisting of a design review checklist, green design concepts, and stormwater design concepts.

3.  Update the Zoning Ordinance parking requirements and Offstreet Parking Design Manual to reflect current and reasonable parking requirements to ensure consistency with the new procedure as well as other development regulations.

4.  Develop associated application forms and fees.

Dixie Switzer (858) 694-3041

Email: Dixie.Switzer@sdcounty.ca.gov

This Policy and Ordinance Development project (POD 11-004) is an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and the County Code.  Proposed amendments will include the addition of definitions, and minor revisions to various sections of the ordinance.  This action also proposes to make minor changes to the County Regulatory Code and the County Administrative Code.  

Topic:

Wind Energy Ordinance, POD 10-007

Summary:

Interim Wind Ordinance
An interim amendment to the Zoning Ordinance was adopted by the County Board of Supervisors on September 15, 2010. The interim amendment removed reference to California Assembly Bill 1207 that was repealed in 2006.  It also amended the ordinance to allow for additional small-sized wind turbines with an Administrative Permit under the Medium Wind Turbine provisions with required findings and the existing size limitations in place. 

Wind Energy Ordinance and General Plan Amendment
The Wind Energy Ordinance project is an amendment to the County of San Diego Zoning Ordinance consisting of clarifications, deletions, and revisions to provide an updated set of definitions, procedures, and standards for review and permitting of wind turbines and meteorological testing (MET) facilities. The project also includes a General Plan Amendment to modify the Boulevard Community Plan to allow more flexibility for large wind turbine projects and an amendment to the Borrego Springs Community Plan to allow more flexibility for small turbine projects.  The draft Environmental Impact Report(EIR) was circulated for public review.  The EIR identified potentially significant environmental impacts to aesthetics, agriculture and forestry resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, hazards, land use, noise, and transportation/traffic.

Status:

Wind Energy Public Review NOP:  September 9 - October 7, 2010

Wind Energy Draft EIR Public Review: November 8, 2011 – December 23, 2011

Links:

Interim Wind Final Ordinance

Interim Wind Final Minute Order

Wind Energy Ordinance draft  Environmental Impact Report and General Plan Amendment

Contact:

Matt Schneider (858) 694-3714

Email:  Matthew.Schneider@sdcounty.ca.gov

Stakeholder Review: September 28 – October 29, 2010

Review of Stakeholder Comments and Revisions to Draft Ordinance: November 2010 – August 2011

Stakeholder Review (Second Draft):

August 17 - September 16, 2011

Summary of Proposed Changes

Summary of Comments Received

On August 4, 2010 the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance amendment regulating winery operations.

Planning Commission:  April 30, 2010 and June 25, 2010

Board of Supervisors:  August 4, 2010