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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.1 General Plan Planning Area 1410, Nei L420-30 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE ISSUES 1 . Is the City interested in pursuing lands outside its present boundaries? If so, to what extent? 2 . If the City is interested in pursuing lands outside its present boundaries, in what manner? a. Planning Area Boundary b. Sphere of Influence c . Annexation 3 . To what extent does the City wish to study the impact of a potential sphere of influence on the provision of existing services to Dublin residents? If the impact is to be addressed, should it be done so as part of the General Plan process or separately? 4 . What problems, if any, are presented by including areas such as Camp Parks, Santa Rita, Los Positas, etc . , within the City' s planning area boundary or sphere of influence? 5. The Local Agency Formation Commission Executive Director has indicated that in developing a sphere of influence, LAFCO typically looks to the planning area boundaries established by the agencies concerned. Mr. Mayne indicated to City Staff that it was incumbent upon the City to develop the data necessary to establish the sphere desired by the City. a. Should the City determine its planning area boundary and request LAFCO to do the study? b. Should the City perform the study in accordance with the LAFCO Director' s instructions? c . Should the City perform the study and request the County to fund the study? 3 . 1 *ow Nee SPHERE OF INFLUENCE FACT SHEET WHAT IS A "SPHERE OF INFLUENCE"? It is a plan for the probable ultimate physical boundaries and service area of a local governmental agency. (See existing Sphere for City of Pleasanton) WHO PREPARES THE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE? The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) must develop and determine the sphere of influence of each local government within the County. WHAT MUST BE CONSIDERED IN THE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE? LAFCO must consider and prepare written findings on the following factors : A. MAXIMUM SERVICE AREA: The maximum possible service area of the agency based upon present and possible service capabilities . B. RANGE OF SERVICES: The range of services the agency is providing or could provide. C. FUTURE POPULATION: The projected future population growth of the area. D. TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT: The type of development occurring or planned for the area, including, but not limited to, residential, commercial, and industrial development. E. SERVICE NEEDS : The present and probable future service needs of the area. F. EXISTING AGENCIES : The present level, range, and adequacy of services provided by existing agencies . G. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN POTENTIAL SPHERE: The social & economic interdependence & interaction between the existing service area and the potential sphere of influence. H. MAINTAINING AGRICULTURAL PRESERVES: The effect on existing agricultural preserves within the sphere of influence. HOW IS THE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE USED? LAFCO must use the sphere of influence as a factor in making decisions on annexation, government reorganizations, and similar matters . WHO UPDATES AN EXISTING SPHERE OF INFLUENCE? LAFCO must "periodically review and update" the adopted sphere. CAN THE CITY REQUEST REVISIONS TO AN EXISTING SPHERE OF INFLUENCE? The City may, by resolution, request an amendment or revision of an adopted sphere of influence. LAFCO will then hold a hearing and either deny or approve the request. IF THE CITY REQUESTS A REVISION TO AN EXISTING SPHERE OF INFLUENCE, WHO PAYS FOR IT? The agency making a request for revision must reimburse LAFCO for the actual & direct costs incurred by LAFCO, however LAFCO may, at its discretion, waive such reimbursements if it is part of the periodic review of an adopted sphere. WHAT EFFECT DOES A SPHERE OF INFLUENCE HAVE ON ANNEXATIONS? A sphere of influence is a factor which must be considered, but it does not guarantee annexation or land use control of the property. CAN ANNEXATIONS TAKE PLACE WITHOUT A SPHERE OF INFLUENCE? A recent court case held that a sphere of influence must be adopted before annexation can occur. WHAT OBLIGATIONS COME WITH A SPHERE OF INFLUENCE? Since a sphere of influence indicates the ultimate physical boundary and service area of a governmental agency, it follows that the agency would have an obligation to annex and provide services within the area 1) if so requested by the property owner and 2 ) if the annexation is consistent and compatible with local conditions and circumstances, including but not limited to the local General Plan. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A SPHERE OF INFLUENCE AND A PLANNING AREA OF THE GENERAL PLAN? The "planning area" of a General Plan should extend as far as needed to include all areas of planning concern, since planning concerns do not respect political boundaries . The planning area should extend at least as far as the sphere of influence ( see diagram) . - 2 -