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The General Plan Land Use Map and County zoning serve distinct and complementary <br />purposes. Zoning is a regulatory instrument that assigns specific, legally enforceable use <br />designations to individual parcels. The Land Use Map operates at a different level; it establishes <br />the general framework and policy direction within which zoning decisions are to be made. <br />A property's location on the Land Use Map should not automatically foreclose <br />consideration of a rezoning application. The significance of a Land Use Map designation shall be <br />considered in light of the advice of the Planning Director and the recommendations of the <br />Planning Commission, and evaluated in the context of the goals, policies, and actions of the <br />General Plan as a whole. When evaluating a change of County zoning, decision -maker should <br />focus primarily on consistency with the Plan's goals and policies, while remaining mindful of the <br />guidance provided by the Land Use Map. <br />Community Development Plans ("CDPs") and other second -tier plans may establish more <br />detailed land use patterns for their respective areas. Where CDPs identify desired land use <br />patterns consistent with the General Plan, the Land Use Map should be interpreted in a manner <br />that supports and is generally consistent with those locally adopted visions. At the same time, the <br />General Plan establishes islandwide priorities that apply across the County and informs how <br />resources, regulatory measures, and public investments are directed. <br />Amendments to the General Plan Land Use Map shall follow the amendment procedures <br />established by the County Charter and applicable ordinances. No amendment to the Land Use <br />Map shall be inconsistent with the goals and policies of this General Plan. <br />Section 1-7. Structure. <br />The General Plan is organized to be clear, practical, and easy to use. It is structured to <br />function as a working policy guide. Each element follows a consistent format so that readers can <br />quickly understand the County's intent, priorities, and responsibilities. Each element is organized <br />to move from broad context to specific responsibilities: <br />• Findings and Purpose provide context, describe existing conditions, and explain why <br />the topic matters to the island's future. <br />• Goals summarize the desired long-term outcomes and serves as a reference point for <br />evaluating consistency with County priorities. <br />• Policies describe the principles and outcomes the County seeks to achieve, and guide <br />planning, regulation, and investment decisions. <br />• Actions assign responsibility and identify implementation steps, translating policy <br />direction into day-to-day operations. <br />Together, these components connect vision, policy direction, and implementation in a clear <br />and consistent structure. <br />v <br />