CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Jonathan Orduna, Community Development Director
DATE: June 25, 2024
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Draft General Plan Community Vision Statement
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council consider the Draft General Plan Community Vision Statement and make any desired changes.
BACKGROUND
In the Summer of 2023, the City embarked on the second phase of the Comprehensive General Plan Update. During the first year of Phase 2 (Fiscal Year 2023-2024), the City's project team evaluated existing conditions and identified and recorded community priorities through a community outreach program. Public engagement efforts have included outreach in the following ways:
Media & General Plan Survey
Opportunities to get involved and learn more about the General Plan Update were shared in many ways with the Laguna Niguel community, including social media advertisements on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; advertisements on the City website; dedicated General Plan Update website; video advertisement shown as a movie trailer at the Regency Theatres Directors Cut Cinema (November 20, 2023 - December 20, 2023); advertisement in the City Winter Recreation Brochure; and advertisement in the City Economic Development and HOA newsletters. Additionally, the City developed and launched a Strategic Plan Update/General Plan Update survey, receiving 774 completed surveys.
In-Person Engagement
The project team hosted opportunities for community members to get involved and share their vision for the future of Laguna Niguel. Events included the Sea Country Festival, Summer Concert Series, Laguna Niguel Girls Softball games, Laguna Niguel Youth Soccer Association games, Laguna Niguel Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade. Additionally, on October 18, 2023, the City hosted a two-hour communitywide General Plan Community Open House to help educate the public about the General Plan and solicit feedback on specific topic areas, including
short- and long-term strategic planning, land use/development ideas, and mobility priorities.
Stakeholder Groups
In addition to connecting with the public through various media outlets and public events, the project team has engaged with the following City stakeholder groups, including the City Council, Planning Commission, Youth Committee, Traffic and Transportation Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and the major Laguna Niguel shopping center owners' groups.
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ANALYSIS
Vision statements are aspirational. They paint an image of the future the community wishes to create without specifically mandating how it will change. Vision statements should include a succinct description of basic considerations or "Guiding Principles" that establish a firm foundation for subsequent, more focused City efforts.
The Draft General Plan Community Vision Statement describes the City now and in the future. The Vision Statement focuses discussion around the following Guiding Principles: Thriving Community, Strong and Resilient Economy, Environmental Stewardship, Connecting People and Places, and Innovation for a Better Future.
In reviewing the Draft General Plan Community Vision Statement, the project team requests that the City Council consider the following questions:
• Does the Draft General Plan Community Vision Statement accurately summarize community input?
• Are there any key phrases that you feel especially embody the future of Laguna Niguel?
• Are there any words or phrases that you feel do not represent the vision of the community?
FISCAL REVIEW
No fiscal review is required for this report.
LEGAL REVIEW
No legal review is required for this report.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council consider the Draft General Plan Community Vision Statement and make any desired changes.
Tamara S. Letourneau Jonathan Orduna
City Manager Community Development Director
Erica Roes
Erica Roess
Senior Planner
Attachment:
A. Draft General Plan Community Vision Statement
ATTACHMENT A
DRAFT GENERAL PLAN COMMUNITY VISION
STATEMENT
Laguna Niguel General Plan
Community Vision Statement
Q
Prepared for:
The City of Laguna Niguel
30111 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Prepared by:
De Novo Planning Group
180 E Main Street, Suite 108
Tustin, CA 92780
Numerous throughout courtesy of
Mark Sanderson Photography
Table of Contents
Community Vision.... ..................5
Guiding Principles
Thriving Community ........... ........6
Strong and Resilient Economy ..........7
Environmental Stewardship ..... ......8
Connecting People and Places ....9
Innovation for a Better Future ............10
Laguna Niguel Community Vision Statement | 3
BLAZE A PIZZA
aguna Niggel Commi Vision Statement
Laguna Niguel General Plan
Community Vision Statement
The Community Vision is a statement which describes the City of Laguna Niguel now and in the future.
Laguna Niguel is a visually stunning and welcoming community recognized for its lush greenery, vast open spaces, safe neighborhoods, and fiscal responsibility.
Our park and trail system, variety of recreational programs, restaurants, shopping, school options, location, and climate make Laguna Niguel stand out in South County as a highly desirable place to live, do business, and visit. We have a strong and resilient economy supported by thriving businesses that meet the diverse needs of our residents. As a defining characteristic of this premiere master planned community, our established residential neighborhoods are valued, preserved, and protected. To promote multi-generational growth and vitality, key opportunity areas throughout the City accommodate a dynamic blend of appealing commercial spaces, entertainment options, and complementary residential offerings. A well-connected mobility network allows people of all ages and abilities to get around the community safely and efficiently using a variety of transportation options, including walking, cycling, driving, and taking transit.
We are committed to continued stewardship and enhancement of our natural and open space resources, provision of well-maintained infrastructure, collaboration in support of a quality-built environment, and innovation thoughtfully applied. Using a strategic planning mindset, we are prepared to successfully address any future opportunity or challenge the City may face over time.
The Community Vision is supported by the following
Guiding Principles:
» Thriving community
» Strong and resilient economy
» Environmental stewardship
» Connecting people and places
» innovation for a better future
Laguna Niguel Community Vision Statement | 5
Thriving Community
A thriving community where plentiful park
and recreation options intertwine with
engaging community events, fostering
a deep sense of pride and connection
among residents. Safe, clean, and quiet
neighborhoods provide a serene backdrop,
enhanced by thoughtful community
aesthetics and design that reflect the area's
unique character. Strategic integration
of mixed-use development transforms
opportunity areas into bustling hubs of
activity. An informed community that
flourishes on open communication and
participation, creates space for all voices to
be heard. Abundant activities for residents
of all ages create a dynamic environment
where every generation finds joy and
purpose. In Laguna Niguel, every day brings
new possibilities for connection and growth.
Laguna Niguel Community Vision Statemeris
Strong & Resilient Economy
A strong and resilient economy where a
diverse range of commercial settings and
activities caters to the local community's
needs and fosters an adaptable and
responsive local job market. High-skill,
high-wage jobs attract top talent and drive
innovation, while fiscal responsibility and
prudency underpin sustainable growth. A
thoughtful mix of land uses accommodates
a variety of needs, from commercial to
residential, enhancing the community's
functionality and appeal. Housing choices
attainable for Laguna Niguel's next
generation, community service providers and
professionals, and also transitioning seniors,
provide welcoming homes where everyone
can thrive. This is a city where economic
vitality and inclusive growth go hand in hand,
building a prosperous future accessible to
every member of the community.
Laguna Niguel Community Vision Statement | 7
© METROLINK
Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo
Environmental Stewardship
A community deeply committed to
environmental stewardship, where
picturesque tree-lined streets, lush medians,
and well-maintained public and private
landscaping foster a harmonious blend of
nature and suburban life. Through mindful
conservation efforts, both natural and
man-made resources are safeguarded for
future generations, advancing sustainability
and resilience. Green spaces highlight the
landscape, providing not only aesthetic
beauty but also sanctuaries for wildlife and
places for residents to connect with nature.
Scenic resources and panoramic views are
cherished treasures, celebrated for their
beauty and inspiration. With its rolling
hillsides, majestic crests and ridgelines,
tranquil valleys, and meandering canyons,
the natural topography is embraced and
protected as part of the community's unique
identity. Laguna Niguel sustains a nurturing
environment where nature and development
coexist harmoniously.
8 | Laguna Niguel Community Vision Statement
Connecting People & Places
Seamlessly connecting people and places,
transportation networks and public spaces
weave a lively and accessible tapestry of
activity. Mobility is paramount, but it's not
just about getting from point A to point B;
it's about enriching the journey itself. Every
voyage through the community is a safe and
enjoyable experience. Active transportation
initiatives, such as promoting cycling and
walking, and developing well-designed
bike lanes and pedestrian paths, foster a
culture of health and sustainability, while
also reducing congestion and pollution.
Smart traffic management systems optimize
movement, promoting efficient flow and
minimizing delays. Community-building
events and activities transform public spaces
into bustling centers of interaction, further
weaving the fabric of social cohesion.
Recognizing the profound impact of public
spaces on community well-being, every
plaza, park, and gathering spot becomes a
catalyst for connection. This is a city where
every path leads not just to a destination,
but to a deeper sense of unity and belonging 6697
among its residents.
Laguna Niguel Community Vision Statement | 9
Innovation for a Better Future
Innovation fuels progress, propelling Laguna
Niguel towards a brighter tomorrow.
Meticulously maintained and continually
updated infrastructure forms the backbone
of connectivity, laying the foundation for
transformative change. By embracing new
technologies, we enhance public services,
making them more efficient, accessible, and
responsive to the needs of our community
members. Emerging businesses, fueled
by entrepreneurial spirit and visionary
thinking, breathe new life into the local
economy, fostering growth and prosperity.
Guided by strategic planning, we navigate
the complexities of our evolving city with
foresight and determination, seeing to it
that every step forward brings us closer to
realizing our collective potential. In Laguna
Niguel innovation isn't just a buzzword; it's
a guiding principle, shaping a better, more
sustainable future for all.
10 | Laguna Niguel Community Vision Statement
Laguna Niguel Community Vision Statement | 11