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Planning
By law, the City is required to have a master plan identifying the location of various land uses. The master plan is often referred to as a "General Plan." The General Plan is comprised of seven major elements:
- Circulation
- Economic Development
- Housing
- Land Use
- Noise
- Open Space/Conservation
- Public Health and Safety
- Public Services and Facilities
The elements provide policy direction for the development of the City for a ten to twenty-year period.
Zoning Map & Development Code
To implement the General Plan, in part, the City adopts a zoning map and Development Code. These two documents are very important in that they further define what can be located on a property in Highland and how to develop a site. Standards are created to ensure the general public’s health and safety are maintained.
Rules & Procedures
The City of Highland, like most cities, adopts rules and procedures to review projects proposed by the general public. These rules and procedures are typically outlined in the City’s Development Code to review a plan or project application that is completed which describes the development. Listed are the typical applications found in Highland to process or plan a project:
Intended to control the establishment of those uses which have some special impact or uniqueness, such that their effect on the surrounding environment cannot be determined in advance of the use being proposed for a particular location.
Intended to control the establishment and operation of new and existing development in the commercial, employment, and multi-family zone district, whose potential impacts and relative compatibility to the surrounding land use are generally well known.
Reasonably ensure that new developments, including residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial developments, do not have an adverse aesthetic, health, safety, or architecturally related impact upon existing adjoining properties, or the City in general.
A review of a project in terms of its potential environmental impacts in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and its implementing guidelines.
As conditions within the City of Highland change, it may from time to time, become necessary to amend the General Plan to enhance its effectiveness.
The adjustment of a lot line between two or more adjacent parcels, where the land was taken from one parcel is added to an adjacent parcel where no additional parcels are thereby created.
The removal of a lot line between two or more adjacent parcels, where the land is joined as one parcel.
Required for any business installing a new sign. Special Event Permit - Intended to allow for the short-term placement of activities on privately or publicly owned property with appropriate regulations so that such activities will be compatible with the surrounding areas.
Ensures the feasibility of such projects as real estate offices on the site of a proposed subdivision, model home complex, construction and security personnel offices on active construction sites, on-site contractor’s construction yard, etc.
Review of a map made for the purpose of showing the design and improvement of a proposed subdivision of three or fewer lots and the existing conditions in and around it and need not be based upon an accurate or detailed final survey of the property.
Review of a map made for the purpose of showing the design and improvement of a proposed subdivision and the existing conditions in and around it and need not be based upon an accurate or detailed final survey of the property.
Required for the removal or relocation of any heritage tree. A heritage tree is any tree not bearing fruit or nut. This permit does not apply to properties less than 20,000 square feet in the area developed with a primary structure other than a sign.
The purpose of variances is to provide for equity in the use of property and to prevent unnecessary hardships that might result from a strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of certain regulations prescribed by the City’s land-use policy.
Provides and ensures consistency between the City’s land use policy and the General Plan and State law, to increase the effectiveness of the Land Use Title, and to improve clarity in implementing General Plan goals and objectives.