The Planning Commission debated how to reconcile proposed Title 17 zoning text with existing Mariposa County General Plan language that directs staff to “develop criteria for home enterprises.”

Planning staff told the commission the General Plan (policy 6.1 and implementing language) expects criteria to address noise, smoke, dust, odor, parcel size and visual compatibility. Steve Eaton, planning director, said the options are to (1) amend the General Plan to remove the requirement or (2) create a procedural review—such as a site plan review or other application—so staff can evaluate whether a proposed home enterprise meets the General Plan’s criteria.

Eaton said: “If we're going to maintain the existing code, then we need to either amend that language or we have to set up some form of procedure… some kind of submittal.” He explained staff’s draft keeps existing Title 17 allowances for home enterprises but notes that General Plan consistency would require a procedural mechanism to ensure compliance with the plan standards.

Commissioners agreed to defer final wording until the home enterprise section itself is considered later in the Title 17 draft but directed staff to prepare language that either establishes a review procedure (application/site plan review) for home enterprises or identifies necessary General Plan amendments. No final change to Title 17 was adopted at the meeting.