National City, Calif. - protecting your property from National City

Legal Disclaimer

On Monday, January 9, 2012 the National City Planning Commission held a second public hearing to reconsider major changes to its planning, zoning and land use laws that it had previously adopted. Thirteen people spoke in opposition to the plans at the hearing on January 9, explaining why the changes are bad for them and bad for National City. Some of the speakers offered substantive recommendations for changes the city could make to its plans that would protect existing business and property owners in National City while still allowing the city to achieve its objectives. Unfortunately, members of the Planning Commission did not consider any of the speakers’ objections or proposed changes. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to re-approve all the new planning, zoning, and land use documents. Now that the Planning Commission has re-approved the the documents, the National City City Council will hold its own public hearing on January 24, 2012 where it will also reconsider all of the new planning, zoning, and land use documents.

You Can Still Speak Up to Protect Your Property in National City!

On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, the National City City Council will hold its own public hearing to reconsider the changes to its planning, zoning, and land use laws. Like the Planning Commission, the City Council previously voted to adopt all of these changes, but it is now going to reconsider each of the planning, zoning, and land use documents at its upcoming public hearing. Members of the public are allowed to speak at the City Council’s public hearing and tell the council members what they think.  At the end of the public hearing on January 24, the City Council will either approve or reject the planning, zoning, and land use documents (the City Council cannot make any changes to them)—you need to be there to tell the City Council what you want them to do. This is your last opportunity to tell the National City City Council how the changes to National City’s planning, zoning, and land use documents are going to affect you. It is important that you attend the City Council hearing on January 24 and testify so that you can protect your property!

National City’s Planning, Zoning, and Land Use Documents

The National City City Council is re-considering major changes to its planning, zoning, and land use laws. These changes—all listed on National City’s website—will significantly impact your property and your business. If these changes affect you, there is still time for you to convince the City Council that these changes are bad for you and bad for National City!

If the city’s plans are re-adopted, this will affect your ability to use or alter your property, and officials may be able to tell YOUR BUSINESS that you have a certain number of years to stop using your property or get out, without compensation.

This website is a guide to help you understand each of the different planning, zoning, and land use documents that are being changed, how those changes affect you, and what you can do to protect your business and your property. It is important for you to learn how these changes will affect you and to make your voice heard at the January 24, 2012 public hearing—it will be too late to ask questions at the hearing, so learn how these proposals will change your business now so you can tell the City Council what you think on January 24! This website is designed to help you do just that. It includes helpful information about each of the different documents, and also about how to make your voice heard at the City Council hearing on January 24, 2012.

Components of National City’s Land Use Updates

National City is calling the changes to all of its planning, zoning, and land use documents a “Comprehensive Land Use Update.” This phrase, which National City uses on its website, really refers to several different documents that will all affect how you can use your property.  Click on the different documents listed below to find out more about what they mean for you.

Proposed General Plan – National City’s proposed General Plan dictates the growth and development of National City, and passing a General Plan is the first step in redevelopment. The proposed General Plan envisions a new and very different vision for the future of National City—a vision that may not include you or your business.

Proposed Downtown Specific Plan Amendment – Area specific plans are created to implement the General Plan, and cover specific parts of National City.  National City currently has three area specific plans—the Westside Specific Plan, the Downtown Specific Plan, and the Harbor District Specific Area Plan. National City amended the Westside Specific Plan in 2010 to change the land use designations in the Westside.  Only the Downtown Specific Plan is currently being amended. The Downtown Specific Plan covers a portion of downtown National City running on either side of National City Boulevard from just north of 1^st Street all the way to 16^th Street. The proposed Downtown Specific Plan Amendment makes many changes to the existing Downtown Specific Plan, including new structural requirements for the buildings in the plan area.

Proposed Land Use Code – National City’s proposed Land Use Code is the primary tool for implementing the General Plan.  It sets zoning requirements and describes how land in National City may and may not be used.  It also includes a provision for “amortization,” which means the City can tell property owners that they have a certain number of years to stop using the property or get out. The proposed Land Use Code also makes many changes to the existing Land Use Code that will affect your ability to use or alter your property.

Five Development Proposals – National City’s proposed land use updates include five development proposals. These proposals are described briefly on National City’s website and in more detail in the Environmental Impact Report. Each of the five proposals is a separate document and must be individually approved and adopted by the Planning Commission (and later the City Council).

Proposed Climate Action Plan (CAP) – National City’s proposed Climate Action Plan addresses greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The proposed CAP sets long-term goals for reducing emissions, and proposes reduction measures for meeting those goals. View National City’s proposed Climate Action Plan

Environmental Impact Report (EIR) – The Environmental Impact Report assesses the environmental impacts of the various land use documents (proposed General Plan, proposed Land Use Code, proposed Downtown Specific Plan Amendment, five development proposals, and proposed Climate Action Plan). The purpose of the EIR is to inform the public and decision-makers about the environmental effects of the various plans and policies.