Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: August 12, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Bradley Calvert, Community Development Director Subject: Review of Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Our Camarillo 2050 General Plan Update
BACKGROUND
The City is currently preparing a comprehensive update to the Camarillo General Plan, known as Our Camarillo 2050. The General Plan is the City’s long-range policy document that will guide future decisions related to land use, housing, mobility, economic development, public services, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, community design, and quality of life.
The General Plan Update is being completed in four major phases: visioning and issue/opportunity identification, alternatives exploration, draft plan preparation, and adoption/finalization. The first phase has focused on community visioning and the identification of key issues and opportunities that will shape the direction of the updated General Plan. As part of this phase, the City has conducted a broad community engagement effort to understand what residents, business owners, community stakeholders, and other participants value about Camarillo today and what they would like to see preserved, improved, or strengthened over time.
The Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles, included as Attachment 1, are intended to summarize the major themes heard during this initial phase of outreach and establish a shared policy foundation for the next phases of the General Plan Update.
Following this phase, the project will move into exploration and evaluation of alternatives, preparation of the Draft General Plan and associated environmental review, public review of the Draft General Plan and Environmental Impact Report, and final adoption hearings.
Completion of the General Plan Update is currently anticipated in April 2028.
Vision Statement & Guiding Principles - General Plan Update August 12, 2026
3 4
5 5
DISCUSSION
The Draft Vision and Guiding Principles are intended to serve as a bridge between early community input and the more detailed goals, policies, programs, and land use alternatives that will be developed later in the General Plan Update process. They are not intended to function as final General Plan policies at this stage. Rather, they provide broad direction regarding the type of community Camarillo seeks to be in the future and the values that should guide future planning decisions.
Phase 1 outreach identified recurring themes that formed the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles and that will frame the broader policy discussions in the remaining phases of the update: preserving Camarillo’s small-town character, protecting open space and agricultural lands, supporting high-quality public spaces, maintaining public safety and quality of life, expanding local jobs and services, improving mobility options, supporting housing choices, and planning responsibly for future growth.
These priorities may at times compete. The General Plan Update will need to balance the City’s emphasis on infill development and the preservation of agricultural lands and open space with economic development objectives and interest in the potential development of remaining undeveloped properties.
The Draft Vision Statement describes Camarillo as a welcoming, close-knit community shaped by its small-town character, agricultural heritage, natural beauty, excellent schools and parks, and high quality of life. It emphasizes the importance of preserving the qualities that make Camarillo distinctive while planning thoughtfully for future generations. It also recognizes the need to focus new housing, jobs, services, and public spaces in strategic locations within the urban boundary, while protecting surrounding agricultural lands, open space, and scenic resources.
The Draft Guiding Principles are organized into four topic areas:
Community and People
This section focuses on preserving Camarillo’s small-town character, strengthening community connection, promoting public safety and accessibility, supporting civic engagement, and celebrating the City’s history, arts, culture, and agricultural heritage.
Nature and Place
This section addresses responsible growth management, stewardship of natural resources, resilient infrastructure, cohesive community design, green spaces, climate-adapted landscaping, and the integration of nature into the built environment.
Livability and Economic Vitality
This section focuses on expanding local employment opportunities, supporting a balanced local economy, encouraging attainable and diverse housing options, Vision Statement & Guiding Principles - General Plan Update August 12, 2026
3 4
5 5
strengthening gathering places, and supporting Old Town as a distinctive destination for art, culture, dining, entertainment, and community life. Mobility and Connections
This section addresses the importance of a balanced transportation network, safe and convenient connections to key destinations, access to transit and regional transportation corridors, and improved pedestrian, bicycle, and trails infrastructure.
Together, the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles will help guide the development and evaluation of future land use, transportation, housing, economic development, infrastructure, and community design alternatives. As the General Plan Update moves into the next phase, these principles will provide a framework for assessing whether future options are consistent with the community’s values and long-term priorities.
Community Engagement
The Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles were developed based on extensive community input received during the first phase of the General Plan Update. Between December 2025 and May 2026, more than 800 community members participated in outreach activities. Engagement included a citywide survey with 400 responses, two community open house meetings attended by more than 200 community members, and “stop and chat” outreach at approximately 20 community gathering places and events throughout Camarillo.
Through these activities, participants shared input on what they value most about Camarillo, what they believe could be improved, and what priorities should guide the City’s future.
A summary of Phase 1 community engagement is included as Attachment 2.
General Plan Advisory Committee Review
The General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) reviewed the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles at its June 11, 2026 meeting. Overall, the Committee was supportive of the direction of the document and provided constructive feedback to help strengthen the draft. Comments included encouraging more active, aspirational, and intentional language; better reflecting themes of diversity, inclusion, volunteerism, civic pride and community connection; and acknowledging state housing and growth laws while continuing to emphasize responsible growth and the community’s interest in maintaining Camarillo’s small-town character.
The GPAC also suggested strengthening language related to transit-hub opportunities near the train station and connections to Old Town; incorporating more intentional roadway design concepts; broadening infrastructure resilience to address heat, drought, Vision Statement & Guiding Principles - General Plan Update August 12, 2026
3 4
5 5
flooding, and water quality; and expanding the local economy principle to reference key sectors and partnerships, including opportunities with CSUCI.
Economic Development and Land Use Committee Review
The Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles were reviewed by the Economic Development and Land Use Committee on June 18, 2026. The Committee did not request any revisions to the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles and expressed support for moving the document forward for review by the Planning Commission and City Council.
The Committee identified two topics for continued consideration during the next phase of the General Plan Update. First, the Committee emphasized the importance of addressing workforce housing needs, particularly housing opportunities that are affordable and attainable for people who are early in their careers and seeking to live and work in Camarillo. Second, the Committee requested staff to continue to expand outreach efforts to Spanish-speaking communities during the next phase of the project. These comments will be carried forward as the General Plan Update moves into the alternatives phase, and workforce housing and inclusive outreach will continue to be considered as part of the development and evaluation of future alternatives, policies, and implementation strategies.
Planning Commission Review
The Planning Commission reviewed the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles at its June 30, 2026 meeting. Overall, the Commission was supportive of the direction of the document and expressed appreciation for the breadth of community outreach completed during the first phase of the General Plan Update.
Commission comments included interest in continuing to hear from newer community members, in addition to long-term residents, as outreach continues in future phases.
Commissioners also discussed the importance of clearly defining and reinforcing the qualities that contribute to Camarillo’s “small-town” character and Old Town identity, including architectural character, historic and cultural heritage, and the physical design elements that help create a distinct sense of place.
Additional comments included support for continued consideration of youth-oriented and indoor recreational opportunities, as well as ideas to strengthen Old Town as a destination through improved circulation, connectivity, and public gathering spaces. These comments will be carried forward as the General Plan Update moves into the alternatives phase and will help inform the development and evaluation of future land use, mobility, recreation, community design, and economic development strategies.
Next Steps
Staff is seeking City Council input on the following questions: (1) Are there any key Vision Statement & Guiding Principles - General Plan Update August 12, 2026
3 4
5 5
themes and priorities not reflected in the Draft Guiding Principles that should be added? And (2) Are there any recommended edits or additions to better reflect community values and priorities?
City Council acceptance of the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles will mark the conclusion of Phase 1 of the General Plan Update and provide direction for the next phase of work. During Phase 2, staff will begin developing and evaluating alternatives for future land use, transportation, housing, economic development, infrastructure, community design, and related General Plan topics.
The Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles will serve as a framework for evaluating these alternatives and assessing whether future options are consistent with the community values and long-term priorities identified during Phase 1 outreach. Staff will continue to conduct community outreach and return to the Planning Commission and City Council at key milestones as the General Plan Update progresses.
Conformance with Adopted City Council Policies
The Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles are consistent with the City Council’s FY 2025/26 Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives and support the City’s mission to provide effective and efficient municipal services that promote a high quality of life, economic vitality, and a safe environment for all.
This work directly supports the City Council goal for Land Use, Transportation, Transit, and Community Development by maintaining the City’s land use planning documents so that future development, transportation, and land use decisions are consistent with the community’s vision. The Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles also support related objectives to evaluate public transit improvements, enhance the livability and economic vitality of Old Town, encourage appropriate infill housing with affordable housing opportunities, and plan for future land use, mobility, housing, and infrastructure needs.
The Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles further support City Council goals related to Community Enrichment, Community Relations, Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship, Economic Development, and Intergovernmental Relations by establishing a community-based framework for future General Plan policies addressing public spaces, arts and culture, public health, inclusive outreach, environmental stewardship, local economic vitality, and coordination with partner agencies and institutions.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact as a result of this action. Work on the General Plan Update has been previously budgeted and is being completed within the authorized project budget.
Vision Statement & Guiding Principles - General Plan Update August 12, 2026
3 4
5 5
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
City staff has determined, in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that the City Council’s acceptance of the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the General Plan Update is exempt from CEQA because it can be seen with certainty that the action will not have a significant effect on the environment. Acceptance of the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles does not constitute a commitment to any specific project, land use change, development proposal, or physical change to the environment. Future General Plan goals, policies, land use alternatives, and implementation actions will be evaluated for environmental impacts as required during later phases of the General Plan Update process.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find, in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that acceptance of the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Our Camarillo 2050 General Plan Update is exempt from CEQA because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the action may have a significant effect on the environment; and
2. Review and provide feedback on the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Our Camarillo 2050 General Plan Update; and
3. Accept the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles as the policy foundation for the next phase of the General Plan Update, subject to any revisions directed by the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles
2. General Plan Update: Phase 1 Community Engagement Report REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None