Excerpt from the General Plan Initiative. Underline denotes language GPI adds to the 1982 plan. Use your browser's back button or click here to return to the table. Download entire text of the General Plan Initiative in pdf format (.4MB, requires Adobe Reader). | ||
| 26.1.3.1 Major Land Use Classifications – To preserve a distinction between urban areas and
rural areas, all lands within Monterey County are classified in this General Plan in one of the
following Major Land Use Classifications: (A) Cities; (B) Community Areas; (C) Rural Lands;
(D) Agricultural Lands; and (E) Public Lands. These Major Land Use Classifications are shown
on Map 2 (Major Land Use Classifications) ; and, are also shown on Map 1 (Community Areas).
(See Appendix A.) The Major Land Use Classifications described below and depicted on Land
Use Map 1 and Land Use Map 2 are in addition to, and do not replace, the Land Use
Designations described in the Countywide Land Use Plan and depicted on Figure 13a.
Cities – Cities are incorporated geographic areas that have independent authority over all land uses located within their city limits. The County shall actively work with the cities and the Monterey County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to promote orderly, efficient, compact, urban development patterns as cities expand into unincorporated areas to accommodate future growth. Community Areas – This General Plan specifically delineates five Community Areas, which are unincorporated lands served by a broad range of urban services. The five Community Areas established by this General Plan are: (1) Pajaro, (2) Castroville, (3) Boronda, (4) Chualar, and (5) Fort Ord. Rural Lands – Rural lands are unincorporated lands located in areas that do not have adequate public infrastructure and public services to accommodate further subdivision or intensification of existing land uses. However, nothing in this General Plan shall be interpreted or applied so as to prohibit the construction of a single-family residential structure, or any auxiliary or accessory structure, or any other structure permitted by this General Plan and the applicable zoning ordinance, on a legal lot of record existing on the date that these amendments to the General Plan become effective. Agricultural Lands – Monterey County’s largest industry is commercial agriculture. Lands mapped and designated as “Agricultural” in this General Plan are, in fact, a special type of “industrial” land. They combine the best soils, favorable growing climate, large landholdings, and generally adequate water supplies, and because of these factors, the voters have designated these lands as “Agricultural” on Map 1 (Community Areas) and Map 2 (Major Land Use Classifications). (See Appendix A.) These lands have been determined to be uniquely capable of supporting long-term commercial agricultural production, ranging from intensive row crop farming to less intensive livestock grazing. Because these lands are at the foundation of the local economy, the public health, safety, and welfare require that they be retained in agricultural use to the greatest extent possible, and the designation of these lands may not be changed without a vote of the people. Public Lands – Public lands are public or quasi-public lands, including military bases, wilderness areas, national forests, state, county and regional parks, public institutions, and other open space. |