Goals

1. Goal LU-6 Amendments to the Policy Plan

   Growth and development in the unincorporated county in a manner that requires few and infrequent amendments to the Policy Plan

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Policies

1. 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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2. 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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3. Policy LU-6.3 Commercial amendments

   We will only approve Land Use Plan amendments that would introduce new commercial areas in the context of a comprehensive Land Use Plan amendment. We may waive this requirement when the proposed amended area abuts an existing or designated commercial area and the amount of land available for new commercial uses falls below 15 percent of the total commercially-designated land in the area.

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4. Policy LU-6.4 Industrial amendments near schools and parks

   We approve Land Use Plan amendments for new industrial development only if they are at least one-half mile from an existing or planned public primary or secondary school or public park. We may waive this requirement for obsolete school or park sites or for industrial amendments submitted through a specific plan.

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Policies

1. Policy GV-1.3 Policy Plan Amendments

   We will consider approving amendments to the Policy Plan only when the following conditions are met:

   A. The proposed change is and will be fiscally neutral or positive.

   B. The proposed change can be adequately served by public facilities and will not negatively impact existing level of service or the ability to provide future development with County services.

   C. Amendments that do not meet the conditions in A or B above may still be considered for approval if the amendment is needed to satisfy state or federal mandates (for example: state housing laws), or to enact new policy decisions consistent with the Countywide Vision.

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