A city (or county) is not an accident but the result of coherent visions and aims

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• Before completing any long-range plans that contemplate school site acquisition, a school district must notify local 
government planning agencies and must participate in a meeting if requested (
Gov. Code § 65352.2(b)
).
• Before the acquisition of property for facilities, school districts must consult with the planning agency of local governments 
(
Gov. Code § 65402(c)
). 
• Before obtaining the title to land for a proposed school site or adjacent to a present school site, the governing board of each 
school district shall give written notice to the planning commission with jurisdiction. The planning commission shall then 
investigate the proposed site (
Pub. Resources Code § 21151.2
). 
• “The governing board of any school district shall meet with appropriate local government recreation and park authorities 
to review all possible methods of coordinating planning, design, and construction of new school facilities and school sites or 
major additions” (
Ed. Code § 35275
).
• Prior to acquiring a school site that is designated in a local general plan for agricultural uses, a school district must consult 
with the local government (
Ed. Code § 17215.5(a)
). If the proposed school site is within an agricultural preserve, additional 
notification to the California Department of Conservation is required (
Gov. Code § 51291(b)
). 
• Additional notification to the local airport land use commission may also be required (
Pub. Utilities Code § 21676
).
Consultation between local governments and school districts at these various points in the planning process may resolve 
conflicts before they arise, creating a more efficient process. Useful consultation topics may include
• District school facilities’ master plans and the acreage necessary to build a school, as well as other location factors. 
• The ability of potential school sites to be accessed by parents and students on foot, or by public transit.
• The potential impacts that agricultural operations, industry, waste facilities, or other polluting land uses may have on schools.
• The potential for joint use of parks or co-location with other facilities, given the tendency for schools to function as hubs for 
the community during school and non-school hours
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Intent of Analysis
Recommended Data
Proximity of schools to housing and transportation.
School locations, including private and charter schools, residential 
areas, transit maps, bike and pedestrian routes.
Potential joint use programs between schools and communities.
Community assets and needs, school facilities and hours.
Density of fast food outlets within ½ mile of schools (most relevant for 
high schools with open campuses).
City/county permit records.
Proximity of schools to safe active transportation options to/from 
home/school.
Circulation element (sidewalks, bike paths; school catchment areas), 
motor vehicle related pedestrian and bicycle crash rates.
Health impacts of location.
Youth obesity prevalence.

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Public Buildings and Grounds
Requirement Description:
The land use element must plan for the use of land for “public buildings and grounds” (
Gov. Code § 65302(a)
). Such “public 
buildings and grounds” may include community centers, libraries, and clinics. New or enhanced public facilities can catalyze 
other planned development as well as redevelopment of existing areas. Additionally, thoughtful distribution of public buildings 
can help ensure equitable access to public resources and services throughout the community. Consideration should be given to 
housing and transportation access surrounding proposed public buildings, as well as preservation of access to existing buildings 
and grounds. Depicting planned future public facilities in the general plan diagram or using symbols to identify possible future 
use may help align these uses with other community assets and needs. 
An inventory of public buildings and grounds will help assess the distribution of public facilities across the community and 
identify underserved areas. The land use element should also assess the need for additional facilities based upon existing need 
for enhanced services and projected increases in land use intensity and population. An inventory of public and private historical 
landmarks (
Pub. Resources Code § 5024
) and existing public surplus land should also be included. 
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Intent of Analysis
Recommended Data
Equitable distribution of public facilities. Increased opportunity for 
community access to public facilities.
Community asset maps.
Access to public facilities.
Transit maps and timetables; population and demographics.
Density of fast food outlets within ½ mile of schools (most relevant for 
high schools with open campuses).
City/county permit records.
Opportunities for shared use of public buildings by communities, e.g., 
meeting spaces, auditoriums, etc.
Inventory of publicly owned facilities, including size, location, resources, 
and access.
Solid and Liquid Disposal Facilities
Requirement Description:
The land use element must plan for the use of land for “solid and liquid waste disposal facilities” (
Gov. Code § 65302(a)
). 
Plans should include an inventory of existing solid and liquid waste disposal, recycling, anaerobic digestion, remanufacturing 
and composting facilities to aid compliance with the Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan and other associated laws 
as noted below. Waste reduction and recycling is an essential element of a sustainable community. In addition to conserving 
resources and protecting the environment, reducing waste and remanufacturing products using recycled materials benefits local 
communities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating jobs, addressing food insecurity, and has many other benefits. 
Based upon projected land uses and population growth as well as potential opportunities to reduce waste streams, the land 
use element should consider the infrastructure that is needed to recover edible food waste and facilitate its delivery to food 
banks and other appropriate entities. The element should also consider the potential need for additional recycling, anaerobic 
digestion, composting and remanufacturing facilities. For example, recycling organic materials through composting, mulching, 

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