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Hawthorne City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

22 SPECIFIC PLANS

§ 17.22.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide areas for the development and administration of specific plans, prepared in accordance with Sections 65450 through 65457 of the Government Code and consistent with the Hawthorne General Plan and to acknowledge and make reference to specific plans that have been adopted by the city pursuant to Government Code Section 65450, et seq. The boundaries of the territory covered by each specific plan are shown on the official zoning map of the city.
(Ord. 1778 § 4, 2004; Ord. 2154 § 3, 2018)

§ 17.22.020 Specific plan standards.

A. 
Minimum Area. The minimum net area of a specific plan that includes residential uses shall be one acre. The minimum net area of a specific plan that does not include residential uses shall be two acres. Specific plans may be subdivided in accordance with an adopted specific plan.
B. 
Development Standards. Development standards shall be as prescribed by the adopted specific plan.
(Ord. 2154 § 3, 2018; Ord. 2240, 11/14/2023)

§ 17.22.030 Initiation.

A specific plan may be initiated by a property owner or authorized agent, the planning commission, or the city council. If there are multiple owners, all owners shall notarize and sign the application and a map showing the extent of each ownership shall be submitted.
(Ord. 2154 § 3, 2018)

§ 17.22.040 Required plans and materials.

In addition to the plans and materials required to accompany an application for a zone text amendment and zone change, an application for a specific plan shall include the following:
A. 
A map showing proposed site boundaries and the relationship of the specific plan to uses and structures adjacent to the site boundaries.
B. 
The proposed zoning pattern of land use, with acreage and residential density and nonresidential intensity computations.
C. 
The proposed street, sidewalk, pedestrian, and lot pattern with complete dimensions and sections (as applicable).
D. 
A fully dimensioned and detailed conceptual plan of the proposed site which shall be incorporated into the specific plan.
E. 
Draft specific plan in compliance with Sections 65450 through 65457 of the Government Code and the applicable sections of the Hawthorne Municipal Code. The specific plan shall include a statement explaining the reasons that justify adoption of a specific plan in relation to the findings required by Section 17.22.050. The specific plan shall contain the detail as determined to be appropriate and necessary by the planning director, including, but not limited to: a description of the project at buildout; maximum units and nonresidential area; land uses, standards and criteria necessary for the development, maintenance and use of the property; infrastructure plan; proposed site plan, elevations, landscape plans; design standards; circulation and access; phasing plan; and other information necessary to address the particular aspects of the project.
F. 
Detailed colored elevations or renderings sufficient in detail to depict the scale, design, orientation, materials of the proposed project and its relationship with the adjacent properties and streets.
G. 
The appropriate level of environmental analysis pursuant the California Environmental Quality Act. The environmental analysis shall be funded by the applicant but conducted by an environmental expert selected by the city.
H. 
A description of the public benefits provided by the proposed project.
I. 
Other materials and information as necessary to address issues raised by the project.
(Ord. 2154 § 3, 2018; Ord. 2240, 11/14/2023)

§ 17.22.050 Findings.

In the planning commission's recommendation and city council's action on a specific plan, all of the following findings shall be made:
A. 
The specific plan is consistent with the adopted General Plan and other applicable policies and is compatible with surrounding development; and
B. 
The specific plan provides a superior level of design and public benefits in comparison with the development under the underlying zoning provisions that would apply if the plan were not approved; and
C. 
Deviations from the underlying zoning district provisions that otherwise would apply are justified by the compensating benefits of the specific plan; and
D. 
The specific plan includes adequate provisions for utilities, services, and emergency vehicle access; security; and public service demands will not exceed the capacity of existing and planned systems.
(Ord. 2154 § 3, 2018)

§ 17.22.060 Zoning map designation.

A specific plan may be adopted such that it replaces the underlying zoning district or as an overlay and shall be established through the zone change process and communicated in the specific plan. Specific plans classified as an overlay shall be identified on the zoning map by a combination of a symbol for the underlying zoning district as well as a symbol for the specific plan.
(Ord. 2154 § 3, 2018; Ord. 2240, 11/14/2023)

§ 17.22.070 Adopted specific plans.

Within the city, the following specific plans are adopted and in effect:
A. 
Central Park (Parkside Village).
B. 
Century Business Center.
C. 
Downtown Hawthorne.
D. 
Pacific Glen (360° at South Bay).
E. 
Prestige Villas.
F. 
Willow Glen (Fusion).
G. 
Green Line Mixed Use Specific Plan.
(Ord. 2118 § 6, 2016; Ord. 2150 § 6, 2017; Ord. 2154 § 3, 2018)

§ 17.22.080 Amendments to specific plans.

The following amendments to an adopted specific plan shall require planning commission review and recommendation and city council review and approval in accordance with the procedures specified by law:
A. 
A change in the allowable density or floor area ratio that would exceed the density allowed under the general plan or adopted specific plan.
B. 
A change in permitted or prohibited uses within the plan area.
C. 
Any other modification to the specific plan which the director of planning determines, in their discretion, is significant and warrants formal planning commission review and city council approval.
(Ord. 1778 § 4, 2004; Ord. 2154 § 3, 2018; Ord. 2240, 11/14/2023)

§ 17.22.090 Relationship of specific plan to zoning ordinance.

In accordance with state planning and zoning law, the provisions of any adopted specific plan shall control over duplicative and conflicting provisions of the Hawthorne zoning ordinance. In the event the adopted specific plan is silent as to a development standard or procedure, the provisions of the Hawthorne zoning ordinance shall control.
(Ord. 1778 § 4, 2004; Ord. 2154 § 3, 2018)