What are Specific Plans and Area Plans?

Specific Plan

A Specific Plan is a tool for the systematic implementation of a General Plan. A Specific Plan essentially establishes a link between implementing policies of a General Plan and individual development proposals in a defined area. A Specific Plan must comply with Sections 65450 - 65457 of the Government Code. These provisions require that a Specific Plan be consistent with the adopted General Plan of the jurisdiction within which it is located.

The Martis Valley West Parcel Specific Plan is located in Placer County and must therefore be consistent with the Placer County General Plan, the Martis Valley Community Plan (MVCP), and Section 17.58.200 of the Placer County Zoning Ordinance. Amendments to the General Plan and MVCP may be required to approve the Specific Plan. For example, the land use designations for the East and West Parcels in the Placer County General Plan and MVCP would be amended if the Martis Valley West Parcel Specific Plan (MVWPSP) is approved.

Area Plan

An Area Plan is an instrument of the planning and permitting system within the Tahoe Basin, initially devised through adoption of the 2012 Regional Plan. An Area Plan is a Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) planning document prepared pursuant to the TRPA Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13, and is a mechanism to address multiple regulatory requirements (TRPA, local, state, and federal) for a specific geographic area.

Plan Area

The proposed MVWPSP covers a 7,568 acre plan area, including the 6,376-acre East Parcel and the 1,192-acre West Parcel. Of the total acreage, 269.8 acres are located within the Tahoe Basin and within the jurisdiction of the TRPA, and a 112.8-acres subset of that (all of which is on the West Parcel) is proposed to be rezoned to Resort Recreation. The Area Plan is included as Appendix C to the MVWPSP.

Show All Answers

1. What are Specific Plans and Area Plans?
2. What is the process to prepare and approve the Specific Plan and associated Area Plan?
3. What are the opportunities for public input?