Amendments to the General Plan text or land use policy map may be initiated as provided for in Section 17.100.020 of this Zoning Code.

Applications to amend the General Plan shall be processed as provided for in the California Government Code, Sections 65350-653517.

Prior to approving or recommending approval of a General Plan amendment, the responsible hearing body shall make the following findings:

   (a)    That the proposed amendment is in the public interest, and that there will be a community benefit resulting from the amendment;

   (b)    That the proposed amendment is consistent with the goals, policies, and objectives of the General Plan;

   (c)    That the proposed amendment will not conflict with provisions of the Zoning Code, subdivision regulations, or any applicable specific plan; and

   (d)    In the event that the proposed amendment is a change to the land use policy map, that the amendment will not adversely affect surrounding properties.

No private application for a General Plan amendment will be accepted unless accompanied by a development proposal for all or a portion of the area included in the General Plan amendment. A development proposal may include a, a Tentative Tract Map, or a Location and Development Plan Application.

The General Plan may be revised or updated by the Planning Department to include new information, changes in information (such as population or housing unit counts) and the like, at the discretion of the Planning Director. Such revisions and updates may not affect any of the following:

   (a)   The intent or direction of written policy

   (b)   Mapped land use policy

   (c)   Mapped circulation policy

   All such revisions shall be submitted to the Planning Commission as an informational item. The Planning Commission shall be empowered to revoke any such revisions.

The City may initiate amendments to the General Plan, including the Land Use Policy Map. In the case of City-initiated General Plan amendments, no associated project is required.