(a) Form. The Planning Department shall prepare, the Planning Commission shall develop, maintain and recommend, and the Board of Supervisors shall adopt a comprehensive, long-term General Plan for the orderly physical development of the land and the preservation of resources and open space in the County according to Section 65300, et seq. of the California Government Code, the State General Plan Guidelines, and any other applicable state statutes and guidelines as may be created and amended from time to time. The plan shall constitute an integrated, internally consistent and compatible statement of land use policies, consisting of:
(1) Maps covering the entire unincorporated portions of the County and designating resources and development constraints and existing and proposed land uses and public facilities; and
(2) An integrated policy text for countywide application stating goals, objectives, policies, standards, and implementation programs.
In addition, the General Plan shall include the background data and analysis as contained in area general plans, required elements, and other permitted elements and related planning studies, to be utilized for interpretation, explanation, and support of the plan policies and designations.
(b) Elements. The plan shall contain the following elements:
(1) A land use element designating the proposed general distribution, location and extent of land uses for housing, business, industry, open space, natural resources, recreation, public buildings and facilities, and other land use categories; including standards for population density and building intensity and use for the various designations.
(2) A circulation element showing the location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, bikeways, trails, transit facilities, and other public facilities and utilities, and coordinated with the Regional Transportation Plan.
(3) A housing element developed according to Article 10.6 (commencing with Section 65580) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code, providing for the housing needs of County residents of all economic levels.
(4) A conservation element providing for the conservation, development and use of natural resources including: forests, soils, wild plants and animals, minerals and water, including rivers, streams, coastal beaches and bluffs, harbors, and fisheries. The element shall include policies to protect mineral resources pursuant to the State Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (Public Resources Code Section 2710, et seq.), and policies for the long-term protection of timberland consistent with the California Timberland Productivity Act of 1982 (Government Code Section 51100, et seq.).
(5) An open-space element developed according to Section 65560, et seq. of the California Government Code, and providing for the preservation of open-space and natural resources, the managed production of resources, outdoor recreation, and public health and safety.
(6) A noise element based on state guidelines developed pursuant to Section 46050.1 of the Health and Safety Code and taking into account the following sources of environmental noise: highways, streets, railroads, aircraft, industrial plants, and other sources. The element shall establish guidelines for development standards and compatible land uses and provide a basis for a local noise ordinance.
(7) A safety element for community protection from any unreasonable risks associated with the effects of seismically induced surface rupture, groundshaking, ground failure, tsunami, seiche, and dam failure; slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides, subsidence and other geologic hazards, fires and floods.
(8) A Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan element developed and adopted pursuant to the California Coastal Act (Public Resources Code 30000, et seq.).
(9) A growth management element developed pursuant to the County’s Growth Management Ordinance, County Code Chapter 17.01, adopted by voter referendum.
(10) At the discretion of the Board, the General Plan may also include additional elements such as: recreation, community design, historical preservation, solid waste management, energy, economic development, and public services and facilities. (Ord. 560, 7/14/58; Ord. 2824, 12/4/79; 3323, 11/23/82; 4346, 12/13/94; Ord. 4873 § 1, 5/15/07)