Goals

1. Goal LU-2 Land Use Mix and Compatibility

   An arrangement of land uses that balances the lifestyle of existing residents, the needs of future generations, opportunities for commercial and industrial development, and the value of the natural environment.

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2. Goal LU-3 Annexations and Sphere Development

   Annexations and development in spheres of influence that improve the provision of public services to incorporated and unincorporated residents and businesses.

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Policies

1. Policy LU-1.3 Fiscal sustainability

   When determining fiscal impacts, we consider initial capital investments, long-term operations and maintenance, desired levels of service for public facilities and services, capital reserves for replacement, and impacts to existing uses in incorporated and unincorporated areas.

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2. Policy LU-1.4 Funding and financing mechanisms

   We require the establishment of community facility districts, lighting and landscaping maintenance districts, and other types of funding and financing mechanisms for new development when the County determines that it may be necessary to maintain fiscal sustainability. We prefer the expansion of existing districts to the establishment of new districts.

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3. Policy LU-1.6 Tax sharing

   We may utilize tax sharing as a tool to extend public facilities and services from adjacent municipalities into unincorporated areas as an alternative to the County’s direct provision of public facilities and services when it is fiscally sustainable for the County.

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4. Policy LU-2.1 Compatibility with existing uses

   We require that new development is located, scaled, buffered, and designed to minimize negative impacts on existing conforming uses and adjacent neighborhoods. We also require that new residential developments are located, scaled, buffered, and designed so as to not hinder the viability and continuity of existing conforming nonresidential development.

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5. Policy LU-2.2 Compatibility with planned uses

   We require that new residential development is located, scaled, buffered, and designed to minimize negative impacts both on and from adjacent areas designated for nonresidential land uses.

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6. Policy LU-2.3 Compatibility with natural environment

   We require that new development is located, scaled, buffered, and designed for compatibility with the surrounding natural environment and biodiversity.

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7. Policy LU-2.4 Land Use Map consistency

   We consider proposed development that is consistent with the Land Use Map (i.e., it does not require a change in Land Use Category), to be generally compatible and consistent with surrounding land uses and a community’s identity. Additional site, building, and landscape design treatment, per other policies in the Policy Plan and development standards in the Development Code, may be required to maximize compatibility with surrounding land uses and community identity.

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8. Policy LU-2.6 Coordination with adjacent entities

   We require that new and amended development projects notify and coordinate with adjacent local, state, and federal entities to maximize land use compatibility, inform future planning and implementation, and realize mutually beneficial outcomes.

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9. Policy LU-2.8 Rural lifestyle in the Mountain/Desert regions

   We intend that new residential development in the unincorporated Mountain and Desert regions offer a lower intensity lifestyle that complements the suburban and urban densities in incorporated cities and towns to provide a range of lifestyle options. Master planned communities in unincorporated Mountain/Desert regions may provide a broader range of lifestyles and densities.

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10. Policy LU-2.9 Suburban lifestyles in the Valley region

    We intend that new residential development in the unincorporated Valley region offer a suburban lifestyle that is similar to that of adjacent cities.

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11. Policy LU-3.1 Annexation of unincorporated areas

    We support the annexation of unincorporated areas when it will result in a more effective and efficient provision of public services and a net fiscal benefit to the County.

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12. Policy LU-3.2 Annexations with planned incompatible land uses

    We oppose annexations when future planned land uses for the proposed annexation area would be incompatible with the remaining adjacent unincorporated lands.

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13. Policy LU-3.3 City/town standards in SOIs

    Upon negotiation with individual jurisdictions, we may require new development in unincorporated municipal sphere of influence areas to apply the improvement standards for roads and sidewalks of the incorporated jurisdiction.

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14. Policy LU-3.4 Development project annexations

    When a property owner proposes annexation to facilitate new development adjacent to an unincorporated residential area, we prefer that the annexation includes the adjacent residential area.

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15. Policy LU-4.1 Context-sensitive design in the Mountain/Desert regions

    We require new development to employ site and building design techniques and use building materials that reflect the natural mountain or desert environment and preserve scenic resources.

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16. Policy LU-4.2 Fire-adapted communities

    We require new development in high or very high fire hazard severity zones to apply fire-resistant design techniques, including fuel modification areas, fire resistant landscaping, and fire-resistant building materials.

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17. Policy LU-4.4 Natural topography in the Mountain region

    We require new development in the Mountain region to retain natural topography and minimize grading unless it is necessary to reduce exposure to natural hazards.

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18. Policy LU-4.5 Community identity

    We require that new development be consistent with and reinforce the physical and historical character and identity of our unincorporated communities, as described in Table LU-3 and in the values section of Community Action Guides. In addition, we consider the aspirations section of Community Action Guides in our review of new development.

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19. Policy LU-6.1 Residential amendments that increase density in the Desert and Mountain regions

    We discourage policy plan amendments that would permit new development on lots smaller than 2.5 acres in the Desert regions and lots smaller than one-half acre in the Mountain region. We approve general plan amendments that would increase residential density only if:
    • The proposed change is determined to be compatible in accordance with policies
    LU-2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 4.5.
    • Adequate infrastructure and services are available concurrently.
    • The increase in density would not degrade existing levels of service for fire protection, sheriff, water, or wastewater service in the area.

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20. Policy LU-6.2 Large residential development in the Desert and Mountain regions

    We require a specific plan or Planned Development process for proposed residential development in the:
    • North or East Desert regions: when the proposed development would include one or more lots that is 2.5 acres or smaller and the overall development would cover 40 or more acres.
    • Mountain region: when the proposed development would include one or more lots that is 1 acre or smaller and the overall development would cover 40 or more acres.

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Policies

1. Policy H-3.1 Public Services, amenities, and safety

   We support the provision of adequate and fiscally sustainable public services, infrastructure, open space, non-motorized transportation routes, and public safety for neighborhoods in the unincorporated area.

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2. Policy H-5.2 Local organizations

   We utilize local organizations that provide fair housing services to the San Bernardino County area to better prevent, monitor, and resolve fair housing issues. We also utilize local organizations to provide housing information, counseling, and financial literacy to lower income households.

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Goals

1. Goal TM-2 Road Design Standards

   Roads designed and built to standards in the unincorporated areas that reflect the rural, suburban, and urban context as well as the regional (valley, mountain, and desert) context

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Policies

1. Policy TM-1.2 Interjurisdictional roadway consistency

   We promote consistent cross-sections along roads traversing incorporated and unincorporated areas.

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2. Policy TM-1.4 Unpaved roadways

   The County does not accept new unpaved roads into the County Maintained Road System, and we require all-weather treatment for all new unpaved roads.

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3. Policy TM-1.5 Upgrading unpaved roads

   We support the paving of unpaved roads when funding is contributed through a local area funding and financing mechanism.

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4. Policy TM-1.6 Paved roads

   For any new development for which paved roads are required, we require the developer to construct the roads and we require the establishment of a special funding and financing mechanism to pay for roadway operation, maintenance, and set-aside reserves.

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5. Policy TM-2.2 Roadway improvements

   We require roadway improvements that reinforce the character of the area, such as curbs and gutters, sidewalks, landscaping, street lighting, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. We require fewer improvements in rural areas and more improvements in urbanized areas, consistent with the Development Code. Additional standards may be required in municipal spheres of influence.

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6. Policy TM-6.4 Airport land use compatibility

   We require proposed development in unincorporated areas to be consistent with applicable airport master plans, airport safety review areas, and military air installation compatible use zones. We may support proposed development in the influence area of County airports only when they are consistent with applicable airport master plans.

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Policies

1. Policy RE-3.4

   Require renewable energy facilities developed in spheres of influence of incorporated cities to be compatible and consistent with standards of the sphere cities.

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