Development agreements are contracts negotiated between project applicants and public agencies that govern allowable land uses for development consistent with zoning and land use policies. These agreements are intended to serve as a tool to strengthen a community’s commitment to comprehensive land use planning. They allow a public agency greater flexibility to impose more conditions and requirements on development than would otherwise be allowed under applicable zoning and land use requirements. In exchange, the rules that govern the development are locked in for the life of the agreement providing the developer with reduced costs and greater assurance that the project if approved can be built. (Ord. 2399, § 1, 09/16/2008)

The appropriate use of development agreements can provide the County with public benefits by requiring the developer to provide certain public improvements and benefits that would not otherwise be obtained through applicable development approval processes. The development agreement provides a developer with greater certainty in the development approval process by vesting certain development rights. (Ord. 2399, § 1, 09/16/2008)

Among other benefits, development agreements have the potential to strengthen the planning process, encourage orderly development, use resources efficiently, reduce uncertainty in the development review process, reduce the economic costs of development, and facilitate the development and financing of infrastructure and other public improvements. (Ord. 2399, § 1, 9/16/2008)