Source: https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaCruzCounty/html/SantaCruzCounty13/SantaCruzCounty1314.html
Timestamp: 2019-05-21 01:03:42
Document Index: 88450192

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 13', '§ 13', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 14', '§ 14', '§ 39', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 40', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 41', '§ 1', '§ 116', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 42', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 1', '§ 47', '§ 4', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1']

Chapter 13.14 RURAL RESIDENTIAL DENSITY DETERMINATIONS
RURAL RESIDENTIAL DENSITY DETERMINATIONS
13.14.020 Scope.
13.14.025 Amendment.
13.14.040 Application.
13.14.050 Rural residential density determinations.
13.14.060 Matrix calculation.
13.14.070 Overriding minimum acreage maximum density policies.
13.14.080 Resource and constraint data.
13.14.090 Fees.
The purpose of this chapter is to allow for a consistent determination of the development potential of rural land parcels based upon the availability of services, environmental and site-specific constraints, and resource protection factors mandated by Measure J, the growth management system, its implementing ordinances and policies, the County’s General Plan and the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan. [Ord. 4416 § 13, 1996; Ord. 4406 § 13, 1996; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982].
This chapter outlines 10 criteria or factors, called matrices, which assess the development potential of rural properties based on resources unique to a particular site, and establishes the basis upon which detailed site information supplied by an applicant can be accepted in lieu of general data otherwise available to County Planning staff for matrix determinations. [Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3026, 1980].
Any revision to this chapter which applies to the Coastal Zone shall be reviewed by the Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission to determine whether it constitutes an amendment to the Local Coastal Program. When an ordinance revision constitutes an amendment to the Local Coastal Program such revision shall be processed pursuant to the hearing and notification provisions of Chapter 13.03 SCCC and shall be subject to approval by the California Coastal Commission. [Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982].
The following definitions shall apply to rural residential matrix determinations in addition to those found in the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan glossary.
(A) Allowable Average Density. The matrix system shall allow averaging of parcel sizes in order to obtain required lot sizes. (No lot may be created, however, through use of the averaging provision which would be smaller than an absolute minimum parcel size established by the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan within the Coastal Zone except where allowed by a development permit.)
When two or more parcels are averaged for the purpose of creating a smaller parcel, the larger parcel(s) shall be appropriately conditioned so that the larger acreage may not be counted again toward other subsequent land divisions, and such conditions be required to be stated as restrictions in any deed conveying the larger acreage.
(B) Area of Proposed Development Activities. Development areas include the portion or portions of the property which would be utilized by proposed development for building sites, septic systems, primary and secondary access roads and other development-related structures or facilities, such as water storage tanks.
(C) Recently Active. A geologic feature (fault trace or landslide) which shows evidence of movement or activity within the last 10,000 years is considered recently active. [Ord. 4416 § 14, 1996; Ord. 4406 § 14, 1996; Ord. 4346 § 39, 1994; Ord. 3434 § 1, 1983; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3026, 1980].
(A) This chapter shall apply to the rural areas of the County outside of the urban services line and the rural services line (USL and RSL), and shall include all tentative map approvals for land divisions and all development permits issued pursuant to Chapter 18.10 SCCC. Included in these categories are all applications to create additional parcels, additional housing units, additional visitor accommodations, or additional organized camp facilities on land designated in the General Plan as suburban residential, rural residential, mountain residential, parks and recreation, resource conservation, or noncommercial agriculture. Existing development on a parcel shall be deducted from the intensity of use allowed by this chapter in determining the amount of additional development (if any) to be allowed on the property.
(B) This chapter shall not prevent the development of a single residential unit on an existing legal parcel of record.
(C) This chapter shall not require the decision-making body to approve the minimum lot sizes or maximum densities of use determined by the matrices of this chapter if a denial or modification of the project is required by the policies of the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan or by other overriding concerns which are reflected in findings required by State law or County ordinances.
(D) If a use permit was issued and exercised prior to December 23, 1980, which allows the construction of two to four dwelling units on one parcel, and the appropriate findings for a land division can be made, the matrix system shall not be used to limit the division of that parcel into fewer lots than the number of dwelling units which were originally approved. The density of the proposed division may be deemed to comply with the General Plan by virtue of the fact that the approved use permit constitutes existing development. [Ord. 4416 § 15, 1996; Ord. 4406 § 15, 1996; Ord. 4346 § 40, 1994; Ord. 3594 § 1, 1984; Ord. 3434 § 2, 1983; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982].
In order to calculate the allowable average density, a parcel shall be evaluated based upon the following criteria (in order of occurrence):
(A) Developable Land. Acreage of nondevelopable land (as defined in the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan glossary) must be subtracted from gross acreage to arrive at developable land.
(B) Matrix Calculations. Developable land is evaluated through the criteria in the matrix system (SCCC 13.14.060) to arrive at a preliminary allowable average parcel size.
(C) Overriding Minimum Acreage Policies. The parcel is examined to determine if it is subject to any overriding General Plan policies, or Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan policies, requiring a minimum gross acreage parcel size (e.g., watershed land, fire hazard areas, fault zones, etc.). Such minimum parcel size restrictions, if applicable, take precedence over the preliminary allowed average density in the event of a conflict. (See SCCC 13.14.070.)
(D) Final Allowable Average Density. The matrix calculations in subsection (B) of this section shall become the final maximum allowable average density for the parcel unless modified pursuant to subsection (C) of this section. [Ord. 4346 § 41, 1994; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3026, 1980].
(A) Individual matrix calculations are based upon a site-specific analysis of resources and constraints, using the best available data (see SCCC 13.14.080), for each of the following 10 matrices. Any property which is split by a General Plan or matrix designation shall have points awarded proportionate to the amount of developable acreage within each designation.
LOCATION MATRIX*
PLAN DESIGNATION CATEGORY
All Lots Fronting On or Within 500' (Road as Traveled) of a County Maintained Road and Accessed from That Road
All Lots Served by a Private Road 18-Foot Width
Lots Served by a 12-Foot Road with Turnouts
(Suburban) (1—5 acre areas)
(Rural Residential Rural Homesites) (2-1/2—20 acre areas)
(Mountain Residential) (10—40 acre areas)
* In the Coastal Zone portion of the North Coast and Bonny Doon Planning Areas, prohibit new land divisions located more than one-half mile by road from a publicly maintained road. (GP/LUP Policy 6.5.10)
GROUNDWATER QUALITY MATRIX
County or Municipal Water District
Private or Mutual Well System
Private or Mutual Surface Diversion
Groundwater Supply at or Exceeding Safe Yield
Inadequate Quantity Poor Quality
Inadequate Quantity Good Quality
Adequate Quantity Poor Quality
Adequate Quantity Good Quality
WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION MATRIX
GROUNDWATER BASIN TYPE
CHARACTERISTICS OF SANITATION SYSTEM
Outside Primary Recharge and Water Supply Watershed Areas
Outside Primary Recharge Area but Within Water Supply Watershed
Within Primary Recharge Area but Outside Water Supply Watershed
Within Both Primary Recharge and Water Supply Watershed Areas
Package Treatment Plant or Septic System Maintenance District
Septic Systems in Areas without Known Problems
Septic Systems within Septic Tank System Problems Areas
TIMBER RESOURCES MATRIX
DISTANCE FROM URBAN SERVICES LINE
20 Acres or Larger
1/2—2 miles
* Properties without a “timber resources” designation on the General Plan or TP zoning receive a score of 10.
BIOTIC RESOURCE MATRIX
TYPE OF BIOTIC RESOURCE
Development Activities Outside Designated Sensitive Habitats
Development Activities Proposed within Sensitive Habitat
Development Activities Proposed within an Area of Critical Wildlife, Vegetation or Rare Plant Habitats
* In the Coastal Zone, development must comply with the standards of the sensitive habitat protection ordinance.
EROSION MATRIX
16—30%
31—50%
Granitics, Metamorphics, Terrace Deposits
Santa Cruz Mudstone, Mindego, Purisima, Locatelli, Monterey, Alluvium
Lompico, Vequeros, Lambert, Butano, Zayante, San Lorenzo
Santa Margarita, Aromas
SEISMIC ACTIVITY MATRIX
AREAS OF LIQUEFACTION
Moderately High Potential
Sargent, Butano
LANDSLIDE MATRIX
BEDROCK GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
Santa Margarita, Lompico, Santa Cruz Mudstone, Mindego, Locatelli, Monterey
Vaqueros, Butano, Purisima, Zayante, Lambert Shale
Evidence of recently active landslides on the property in the area of proposed development activities*
* Properties having a landslide that could adversely affect the stability of the proposed development, or that indicates general geologic conditions of instability on the property, must be evaluated in the bedrock category.
FIRE HAZARD MATRIX
Location and Road Standards
Entire Property Outside Critical Fire Hazard Area on 18-Foot Road
Entire Property Outside Critical Fire Hazard Area on 12-Foot Road with Turnouts
Parts of Property in Critical Fire Hazard Area with Building Site Located Outside with 18-Foot Road
Parts of Property in Critical Fire Hazard Area with Building Site Located Outside with 12-Foot Road with Turnouts
Building Sites within Mitigatable Critical Hazard Areas
Less Than 10 Minutes Response Time on Non-Dead End Road
Less Than 10 Minutes Response Time on Dead End Road with Secondary Access
10—20 Minutes Response Time on Non-Dead End Road
10—20 Minutes Response Time on Dead End Road with Secondary Access
CUMULATIVE CONSTRAINT POINTS
(a) Cumulative constraint points shall be deducted from the total matrix score based upon the following criteria:
(i) If the proposed division receives a zero on two matrices, five points shall be subtracted from the matrix.
(ii) For each additional zero the proposed division receives, five additional points shall be subtracted from the matrix.
(b) Preliminary average allowable density is determined by referring the total numerical score (based upon the 10 matrices above) to the following tables:
(i) Suburban Residential Table. (To be used for any portion of the property outside the urban services line and rural services line designated as suburban residential, one to five acres/unit.)
Total Number of Points Obtained
Minimum Average Parcel Size Allowed for Development
4-1/2 acres
3-1/2 acres
The minimum parcel size in Suburban designations without public water service shall be two and one-half acres.
(ii) Rural Residential Table. (To be used for any portion of the property designated as rural residential or noncommercial agricultural in the following case: where the Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission has made a written finding that the land is not viable for commercial agricultural and where less than 50 percent of the land area within one-quarter mile of the subject property is designated agricultural resource, mountain residential, or resource conservation and all proposed building sites are within one-half mile of a through County-maintained road (see G.P. Policy 5.14.12).
(iii) Mountain Residential/Noncommercial Agricultural/Resource Conservation Table. (To be used for any portion of the property designated as mountain residential, noncommercial agricultural, or resource conservation.)
[Ord. 4836 § 116, 2006;* Ord. 4416 §§ 16—19, 1996; Ord. 4406 §§ 16—19, 1996; Ord. 4346 §§ 42—46, 1996; Ord. 3594 § 2, 1984; Ord. 3434 § 3, 1983; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3026, 1980].
Code reviser’s note: Ord. 4836 had two sections numbered “116.”
In order to calculate allowable average parcel size and density under overriding policies, the total acreage must be compared against the following applicable sections of the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan and County Code. (See General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan Figure 2.2 for special land division and density requirements.)
GENERAL PLAN AND LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM LAND USE DESIGNATION, RESOURCE OR CONSTRAINT
5.13.14 and 5.13.19
• Noncommercial
5.13.18 and 5.14.12
2.6.1 and 2.6.2
2.5.1 and 2.5.2
5.11.6 and 2.4.1
• Water Supply Watersheds
• Least Disturbed Watersheds
• Reservoir Protection Areas
Groundwater Recharge Lands
Coastal Hazard Areas
6.2.15, 6.2.17 and 6.2.18
Critical Fire Hazard Areas and Access Standards
6.5.4 and 6.5.5
Flood Hazard Areas (100-year floodplain)
6.4.5 and 6.4.6
Seismic Review Zones (fault zones)
[Ord. 4346 § 47, 1994; Ord. 3434 § 4, 1983; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3026, 1980].
Data used to determine parcel-specific resources and constraints shall be the most accurate available. Staff determinations shall be based upon the existing database (see table below) and an on-site inspection. An applicant may, however, submit or may be required to submit more detailed information which can serve as the basis for an updated staff evaluation (submitted as part of the environmental review for the project) as indicated in the table below:
Officially Adopted Data Source
Acceptable New Information Source
USGS Slope Maps
A detailed slope map prepared by a civil engineer or land surveyor
USGS maps in conjunction with watershed staff field review and General Plan policies
A detailed map of slopes and the extent of riparian vegetation prepared by a qualified professional
Most recent Federal flood insurance maps; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps
An investigation prepared by a qualified registered engineer or registered geologist which establishes accurate boundaries of the 100-year flood
Agricultural Resources Map, as adopted and amended by the Board of Supervisors, Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resources and constraints maps
Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission determination that land is or is not viable with approval of the Board of Supervisors
Field check of roads per General Plan requirements
Applicant may improve roads to standards
Water Quality/Quantity Areas
Measure J groundwater quality/quantity maps; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps
A report conducted by a hydrogeologist which demonstrates that the region in which the parcel is located is or is not experiencing water quality or availability problems, and that the proposed water use will or will not contribute to an adverse cumulative water quality or quantity impact
Overdrafted Aquifers
Maps approved by the affected water district and adopted and amended by the Board of Supervisors
Primary Groundwater Recharge Areas
Measure J primary groundwater recharge areas maps; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps
A report conducted by a soils engineer and registered geologist or hydrogeologist which establishes that, based upon local soils, bedrock, and regional hydrogeologic conditions, a particular area is or is not part of a primary groundwater recharge area
General Plan resources and constraint maps; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps
Information which indicates that a property does or does not lie within a designated water supply watershed
Septic System Problem Areas
Measure J septic system problem areas map
Certification from County Environmental Health that the property does or does not lie in an area of experienced septic problems
General Plan resource and constraint maps; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps
Actual field data which concludes that the property does or does not contain marketable timberlands
Wildlife Resources and Sensitive Habitats
Measure J resources and constraint maps, Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps
A biotic report prepared by a biologist which indicates the absence or presence of wildlife habitats or unique or rare plant communities or individuals on the property
Geologic Rock Type
USGS compilation map of rock types
A geologic report prepared by a registered geologist which accurately maps fault traces, landslides and bedrock geology, or review and update of map by Planning staff geologist
Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan and General Plan resources and constraint maps and State and USGS maps
Seismic safety element liquefaction map; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps
A report by a registered engineering geologist which indicates that the building site will or will not be subjected to liquefaction
Seismic safety element map combined with Planning staff geologist field inspections
A geologic report prepared by a registered geologist which accurately maps fault traces, landslides and bedrock geology
Fire response time map prepared by County officials
A letter from the Chief of the Fire District responsible to serve as a field-measured response time
Critical Fire Hazard Areas
Field inspection combined with aerial photo survey; General Plan resource and constraint maps are general guidance
In mitigable areas (see General Plan) with Fire Official’s approved mitigation measures; in other areas, based upon on-site vegetation (assuming no illegal or unauthorized vegetation clearance has taken place)
[Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3023, 1980].
Fees for staff time required to implement this chapter shall be set forth in a separate fee resolution by the Board of Supervisors. [Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3026, 1980].