§ 22.70.040. Amendments.

This Title may be amended as provided by this Section whenever the Board determines that public necessity, convenience, or welfare would be served.

A.

Initiation of amendment. The Board may initiate the processing of an amendment upon its own motion; may accept a request for amendment from any interested party, including the Director and/or Commission; and may deny the processing of any requested amendment. Amendment requests from the public shall be filed using the forms provided by the Department and shall include the filing fee set by the county fee ordinance. The Board may refer a proposed amendment to the Director and/or Commission for response before deciding whether to process the amendment.

B.

Commission hearing. After review of a proposed amendment in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, and completion of a Department staff report, the Commission will provide notice and hold a public hearing in compliance with Section 22.70.060. The purpose of the hearing shall be to receive testimony from parties interested in the proposed amendment, consider the recommendations of the Director, and adopt a recommendation to the Board.

C.

Commission recommendation. After the public hearing, the Commission shall submit a written recommendation to the Board on the proposed amendment, giving the reasons for the recommendation and the relationship of the proposed amendment to affected elements of the General Plan and any affected specific plans.

D.

Board hearing and decision. After receiving the Commission recommendation, the Board shall hold a public hearing in compliance with Section 22.70.060. The Board may approve, modify or disapprove the recommendation of the Commission. However, any modification of a proposed amendment by the Board not previously considered by the Commission shall first be referred to the Commission for report and recommendation. The Commission is not required to hold a public hearing on this type of referral. Failure by the Commission to report within 40 days after the referral shall be deemed approval of the proposed modification to the amendment.

[Amended 1992, Ord. 2583] [22.01.050]