The purpose of this chapter is to set forth guidelines and principles for ensuring that the Lemon Grove zoning ordinances, including the designation of zoning districts, is compatible with the Lemon Grove general plan, as required by state law.
The following principles shall be applied when making determinations as to the consistency of the various zoning districts with the general plan land use categories:
A. 
To the greatest degree possible, zoning districts shall be established in areas with corresponding general plan land use designations. For example, the residential low density or RL district should be applied in those area designated by the general plan as low density residential and the heavy commercial or HC district should be applied to those areas designated by the general plan for heavy commercial use.
B. 
No zoning district shall be applied where the district's permitted uses would be more intensive than those indicated by the general plan. High density residential development is more intensive than low density residential development, and commercial and industrial development are more intensive than residential development.
C. 
Zoning districts which permit lower intensity use shall not be applied in area designated by the general plan for higher intensity use if the lower intensity use would generally preclude the establishment of a higher intensity use. For example, the residential low density or RL district should not be applied in those areas where the general plan has indicated that higher density development would be desirable and indeed should be encouraged; the construction of single-family dwelling in these areas would most probably eliminate the possibility of constructing higher density development on the same site.
Any amendment to the Lemon Grove general plan shall be adopted in the manner provided in this chapter, in accordance with the state-mandated procedure.
No mandatory element of the general plan may be amended more frequently than four times during any calendar year, which amendment or amendments may occur at any time as determined by the city council. This section shall not apply to the adoption of any element of the general plan. This limitation on the frequency of amendment shall not apply to amendments requested and necessary for single development of residential units, at least twenty-five percent of which will be occupied by or available to persons for families of low or moderate income, as defined by Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code. All general plan amendments shall be consistent with Section 65358 et seq. of the Government Code.
When it deems it to be in the public interest the city council may change or add to all or part of the adopted general plan. Any interested individual or the planning commission may request consideration of an amendment to the general plan. Such requests shall be presented to the city council and the council shall determine if the amendment procedures should be initiated on the request. Upon initiating the amendment process, the city council shall first refer the proposed change or addition to the planning commission for a report. Before making such report the planning commission shall hold at least one hearing on the proposed change or addition. The planning commission's report shall be completed not later than ninety days after the referral.
The planning commission shall hold at least one public hearing before approving a general plan amendment. Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be given in a manner specified in Section 17.28.020. Any hearing may be continued from time to time.
(Ord. 386 § 3, 2009)
The approval by the planning commission of the general plan amendment shall be by resolution of the commission carried by the affirmative votes of not less than a majority of its total voting members. Upon approval by the planning commission of the general plan amendment, it shall be transmitted to the city council.
Before adopting the general plan amendment, the city council shall hold at least one public hearing. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given in the time and manner provided for the giving of notice of the hearing by the planning commission as specified in Section 17.28.020. Any hearing may be continued from time to time.
(Ord. 386 § 3, 2009)
In adopting a general plan amendment which has been approved by the planning commission, the city council shall not make any change or addition until the proposed change or addition has been referred to the planning commission for a full report and a copy of the report has been filed with the city council. Failure of the planning commission to report within forty days after the reference, or such longer period as may be designated by the city council, shall be deemed to be approval of the proposed change or addition. It shall not be necessary for the planning commission to hold a public hearing on such proposed change or addition.
The adoption of the general plan amendment shall be by resolution of the city council.