My understanding of a General Plan (California’s terminology for a community master plan document) is that it is a reference document that reflects the current planning direction of the community’s electorate. The current trend toward form-based general plans gives communities a flexible tool to create sensible transportation networks, neighborhoods, and an appropriate mix of high- and low- density housing in a framework that allows the environment needed to build incrementally and to amend and adapt as the community’s desires evolve. Thus, while a general plan is “the law,” it is also reflective of “softer” concerns such as neighborhood compatibility, community character, and “local considerations.” Deviation from “the plan” is expected-as long as there is conformity with its spirit… .