From the ordinance
The purpose of this Article is to support the protection of open space and natural resource areas identified in the General Plan by allowing the transfer of development potential and development credits from a site in such areas having a resource deserving protection, land suitable for agriculture and outdoor recreation, land subject to hazards, including landslides and very high fire hazard risk, or otherwise designated by the General Plan as a protected sending area to a site in designated receiving zones requiring less protection.