(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the governing board of a local agency, by vote of four-fifths of its members, may render a city or county zoning ordinance inapplicable to a proposed use of property if the local agency at a noticed public hearing determines by resolution that there is no feasible alternative to its proposal. The governing board may not render a zoning ordinance inapplicable to a proposed use of property when the proposed use of the property by the local agency is for facilities not related to storage or transmission of water or electrical energy, including, but not limited to, warehouses, administrative buildings or automotive storage and repair buildings. The governing board of a local agency may make these determinations at the time it approves an environmental impact report on its proposal required by Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code. Mailed notice of the public hearing shall be provided at least 10 days prior to the hearing, to the owners of all property within 300 feet of the location of the proposed facility and a notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the proposed site of the facility. If mailed notice as required above would result in notice to more than 250 persons, as an alternative to mailed notice, notice may be given by placing a display advertisement of at least one-fourth page in a newspaper of general circulation within the area affected by the proposed facility and by posting the notice in a conspicuous place at the proposed site of the facility.

(b) The board shall, within 10 days, notify the city or county, whose zoning ordinance has been rendered inapplicable under subdivision (a), of its action. If the governing board has taken this action, the city or county may commence an action in the superior court of the county whose zoning ordinance is involved or in which is situated the city whose zoning ordinance is involved, seeking a review of the action of the governing board to determine whether it was supported by substantial evidence. The evidence before the court shall include the record of the proceedings before the city, county, and district. The city or county shall cause a copy of the complaint to be served on the board. If the court determines that the action was not supported by substantial evidence, it shall declare it to be of no force and effect, and the zoning ordinance in question shall be applicable to the use of the property by the local agency.

(c) “Feasible” as used in this section means capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic, environmental, social, and technological factors.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 267, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)