The purpose of this chapter is to provide a uniform procedure for amending the General Plan of the City of Anaheim. (Ord. 5920 § 1 (part); June 8, 2004.)

   The General Plan may be amended, whenever the public necessity and convenience and the general welfare require such amendment, by following the procedure set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 5920 § 1 (part); June 8, 2004.)

   A general plan amendment may be initiated as prescribed in this section.

   .010   Petition. An amendment may be initiated by the verified petition of one (1) or more owners of property affected by the proposed amendment, which petition shall be filed with the Planning Department, and shall be accompanied by a fee as prescribed in Chapter 18.80 (Fees).

   .020   City Council. An amendment may be initiated by motion of the City Council.

   .030   Planning Commission. An amendment may be initiated by motion of the Planning Commission.

   .040   Staff. An amendment may be initiated by the Planning Director. (Ord. 5920 § 1 (part); June 8, 2004: Ord. 5998 § 52; October 25, 2005.)

   The City Council is the approval authority for General Plan amendments; provided, however, that a Planning Commission decision disapproving a proposed amendment is final, unless appealed as set forth in Chapter 18.60 (Procedures). (Ord. 5920 § 1 (part); June 8, 2004.)

   .010   Public Hearing. The Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment, as specified in Chapter 18.60 (Procedures).

   .020   Actions on Application. The Planning Commission may either submit a recommendation for approval to the City Council, or disapprove the amendment.

   .030   Findings. The Planning Commission shall submit a recommendation for approval, only if it makes the following findings:

      .0301   The proposed amendment maintains the internal consistency of the General Plan;

      .0302   The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or welfare of the City;

      .0303   The proposed amendment would maintain the balance of land uses within the City; and

      .0304   If the amendment is to the General Plan Land Use Map, the subject property is physically suitable to accommodate the proposed modification, including but not limited to, access, physical constraints, topography, provision of utilities, and compatibility with surrounding land uses.

   .040   Recommendation of Approval. A resolution with the recommendation for approval shall be filed with the City Council, within ten (10) days after the decision of the Planning Commission; provided the time limit may be extended, upon the mutual agreement of the applicant and the City. Failure of the Planning Commission to report within ten (10) days, without the agreement described above in this section, shall be deemed to be a recommendation of approval of the proposed amendment by the Planning Commission to the City Council.

   .050   Disapproval. If the Planning Commission disapproves the proposed amendment, its action shall be final, unless appealed pursuant to Chapter 18.60 (Procedures). (Ord. 5920 § 1 (part); June 8, 2004: Ord. 6156 § 43; September 22, 2009.)

   .010   Public Hearing. Upon receipt of the report from the Planning Commission, or upon the expiration of the ten (10)-day period referred to in Section 18.68.050, the City Clerk shall set the matter for public hearing, and shall give notice thereof as provided in Section 18.68.050. The City Council may adopt, modify or reject all or part of the recommended amendment.

   .020   Findings. Before the City Council may approve a General Plan amendment, it must make a finding of fact, by resolution, that the evidence presented shows that all of the conditions exist as set forth in subsection 18.68.050.030.

   .030   Referral to Planning Commission. Any substantial modification of the proposed amendment, not previously considered by the Planning Commission during its hearing, may be referred back to the Planning Commission. Failure of the Planning Commission to report within forty-five (45) days after the referral, or such longer period as the City Council may designate or as agreed upon between the applicant and the City, shall be deemed to be a recommendation of approval. (Ord. 5920 1 (part); June 8, 2004: Ord. 6156 § 44; September 22, 2009: Ord. 6601 § 31; January 14, 2025.)