Section 56425 Of Chapter 4. Spheres Of Influence From California Government Code >> Division 3. >> Title 5. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 4.
56425
. (a) In order to carry out its purposes and responsibilities
for planning and shaping the logical and orderly development and
coordination of local governmental agencies subject to the
jurisdiction of the commission to advantageously provide for the
present and future needs of the county and its communities, the
commission shall develop and determine the sphere of influence of
each city and each special district, as defined by Section 56036,
within the county and enact policies designed to promote the logical
and orderly development of areas within the sphere.
(b) Prior to a city submitting an application to the commission to
update its sphere of influence, representatives from the city and
representatives from the county shall meet to discuss the proposed
new boundaries of the sphere and explore methods to reach agreement
on development standards and planning and zoning requirements within
the sphere to ensure that development within the sphere occurs in a
manner that reflects the concerns of the affected city and is
accomplished in a manner that promotes the logical and orderly
development of areas within the sphere. If an agreement is reached
between the city and county, the city shall forward the agreement in
writing to the commission, along with the application to update the
sphere of influence. The commission shall consider and adopt a sphere
of influence for the city consistent with the policies adopted by
the commission pursuant to this section, and the commission shall
give great weight to the agreement to the extent that it is
consistent with commission policies in its final determination of the
city sphere.
(c) If the commission's final determination is consistent with the
agreement reached between the city and county pursuant to
subdivision (b), the agreement shall be adopted by both the city and
county after a noticed public hearing. Once the agreement has been
adopted by the affected local agencies and their respective general
plans reflect that agreement, then any development approved by the
county within the sphere shall be consistent with the terms of that
agreement.
(d) If no agreement is reached pursuant to subdivision (b), the
application may be submitted to the commission and the commission
shall consider a sphere of influence for the city consistent with the
policies adopted by the commission pursuant to this section.
(e) In determining the sphere of influence of each local agency,
the commission shall consider and prepare a written statement of its
determinations with respect to each of the following:
(1) The present and planned land uses in the area, including
agricultural and open-space lands.
(2) The present and probable need for public facilities and
services in the area.
(3) The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of
public services that the agency provides or is authorized to provide.
(4) The existence of any social or economic communities of
interest in the area if the commission determines that they are
relevant to the agency.
(5) For an update of a sphere of influence of a city or special
district that provides public facilities or services related to
sewers, municipal and industrial water, or structural fire
protection, that occurs pursuant to subdivision (g) on or after July
1, 2012, the present and probable need for those public facilities
and services of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within
the existing sphere of influence.
(f) Upon determination of a sphere of influence, the commission
shall adopt that sphere.
(g) On or before January 1, 2008, and every five years thereafter,
the commission shall, as necessary, review and update each sphere of
influence.
(h) In determining a sphere of influence, the commission may
assess the feasibility of governmental reorganization of particular
agencies and recommend reorganization of those agencies when
reorganization is found to be feasible and if reorganization will
further the goals of orderly development and efficient and affordable
service delivery. The commission shall make all reasonable efforts
to ensure wide public dissemination of the recommendations.
(i) When adopting, amending, or updating a sphere of influence for
a special district, the commission shall establish the nature,
location, and extent of any functions or classes of services provided
by existing districts.
(j) When adopting, amending, or updating a sphere of influence for
a special district, the commission may require existing districts to
file written statements with the commission specifying the functions
or classes of services provided by those districts.