CITY OF MERCED
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE AND
DOWNTOWN STATION AREA PLAN
ALL HANDS KICK-OFF MEETING
JUNE 25, 2025
Attachment 1
▪ Introductions
▪ The Planning Team
▪ General Plan Update Overview
▪ Community Engagement Strategy
▪ Downtown Station Area Plan Overview
▪ Council and Commission Discussion
▪ Next Steps
Meeting Objectives
2 PROJECT TEAM
General Plan Team
–
Mintier Harnish
4 Brent Gibbons, AICP
Project Director
Jim Harnish, JD
Project Advisor
Established in 1985
Planning and community engagement
specialists
Prepared over 60 general plans
Sacramento-based small business (10
employees)
Large network of
teaming partners
Customize our teams
for each project
Michael Gibbons
Project Manager
General Plan Team
–
Teaming Partners
5 Paul Stephenson,
AICP
Environmental
Mobility
Jim Damkowitch
Roger
Dale
Economic Development
Downtown Station Area Plan Team
-
WRT
6 SUBCONSULTANTS
PRIME CONSULTANT
MINTIER HARNISH
Project Administration
Community Engagement
(coordinated with General Plan)
Matt Taecker
PM, Land Use & Built Form
Jim Stickley
PIC, P ublic Realm Design
Multimodal Transportation
Jim Damkowitch
DKS Associates
Economic Development
Roger Dale
Natelson Dale Group
Leveraging High Speed Rail
Egon Terplan
UC Berkeley & Sr. Advisor
North Valley THRIVE and HSRA
Outreach & Engagement
Sheila Hakimipour
URBAN Diversity Design
Civil Engineering
Sara Allinder
Provost & Pritchard
Deeksha Rawat
Sr Planner, Engagement
Zihan Zhao
Jr Designer, GIS Specialist
▪ Frank Quintero, Deputy City Manager,
DSAP Project Manager
▪ Jonnie Lan, Acting Planning Manager
▪ Leah Brown, Management Analyst
▪ Francisco Mendoza-Gonzalez, Acting Principal Planner
▪ Valeria Renteria, Associate Planner
▪ Other Department Heads will be included in this process including representatives from Public Works, Engineering, Fire, Police, Clerk, City Attorney, Parks and Recreation, Public Information Officer, and GIS Coordinator.
City Project Team
7 General Plan Project Managers
Project Organizational Structure
8 City
Council
Citizens Advisory
Focus Group
General Plan
Consultant Team
Downtown Station Area
Plan Consultant Team
Planning
Commission
City Staff
Technical
Working Group
GENERAL PLAN OVERVIEW
▪ Required by State law for
every jurisdiction
▪ Represents the community’s
long-term vision for the future
▪ Establishes goals and policies
that Council bases a variety of
decisions based on (i.e., land
use, economic development,
equity)
What is a General Plan?
10 General Plan Characteristics
11 General
Comprehensive
Long-term
General Plan Characteristics
12 Long-Term
Short-Term
More General
More Detailed
Building
Permits
Subdivision
Maps
Zoning
General Plan
Long-Term
Short-Term
More General
More Detailed
▪ Covers an identified
planning area
▪ Internal consistency
• Equal status among elements
• Consistency between
elements
• Consistency within elements
• Text and diagram
consistency
▪ Land Use
▪ Circulation
▪ Housing
▪ Conservation
▪ Open Space
▪ Safety
▪ Noise
▪ Environmental Justice
▪ Air Quality (applicable to Merced and other Central
Valley Communities)
Required General Plan Elements
13 New State Requirements
14 Environmental Justice
Complete Streets
Vehicle Miles Traveled
Housing Sites and
Streamlining
Wildfires and Flooding
Climate Change
Adaptation
GHG Emissions
Tribal Consultation
Focus of the General Plan Update
15 Comprehensive update
2030 General Plan
elements
Integrate Recent Plans and
Studies while incorporating
previously approved annexations
Focus of the General Plan Update
16 Prepare and integrate
the Downtown Station
Area Plan
Inclusion of diversity,
equity, inclusion and
justice concepts
Focus of the General Plan Update
17 Capture emerging
trends and best
practices
Ensure compliance with
recent State laws and
General Plan Guidelines
Focus of the General Plan Update
18 Updates to the vision,
goals, policies, and
implementation in the
General Plan
Robust and inclusionary
community engagement
General Plan Project Schedule
19 Project Phases
20 1
2 3
4 5
6 Project
Initia
tion
Project Phases
21 1
2 3
4 5
6 Existing
Conditions
and
Trends
Project Phases
22 1
2 3
4 5
6 Community
Vision
Project Phases
23 1
2 3
4 5
6 Prepare the
General
Plan
Project Phases
24 1
2 3
4 5
6 Prepare the
Program EIR
Project Phases
25 1
2 3
4 5
6 Adoption
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
BRANDING & PROJECT LOGO
PROJECT WEBSITE
SOCIAL MEDIA/EMAIL BLASTS
NEWSLETTERS
MAPTIONNAIRE
WORKSHOPS
Outreach Program
27 BRANDING & PROJECT LOGO
PROJECT WEBSITE
SOCIAL MEDIA/EMAIL BLASTS
NEWSLETTERS
MAPTIONNAIRE
WORKSHOPS
Outreach Program
28 BRANDING & PROJECT LOGO
PROJECT WEBSITE
SOCIAL MEDIA/EMAIL BLASTS
NEWSLETTERS
MAPTIONNAIRE
WORKSHOPS
Outreach Program
29 BRANDING & PROJECT LOGO
PROJECT WEBSITE
SOCIAL MEDIA/EMAIL BLASTS
NEWSLETTERS
MAPTIONNAIRE
WORKSHOPS
Outreach Program
30 BRANDING & PROJECT LOGO
PROJECT WEBSITE
SOCIAL MEDIA/EMAIL BLASTS
NEWSLETTERS
MAPTIONNAIRE
WORKSHOPS
Outreach Program
31 BRANDING & PROJECT LOGO
PROJECT WEBSITE
SOCIAL MEDIA/EMAIL BLASTS
NEWSLETTERS
MAPTIONNAIRE
WORKSHOPS
Outreach Program
32 ▪ The Community Advisory Focus Group
(CAFG) will serve as an advisory body
throughout the General Plan Update
and Downtown Station Area Plan
process.
▪ The CAFG will consist of 15-17
members. City Council will finalize
members at the July 7, 2025, City
Council Meeting.
▪ GET INVOLVED! WE NEED YOUR
INPUT!
Community Advisory Focus Group (CAFG)
33 DOWNTOWN STATION AREA PLAN
OVERVIEW
▪ Multimodal Transportation
▪ Land Use
▪ Placemaking
• Public Realm
• Built Form
▪ Economic Development
• Revitalization
• Redevelopment
• Workforce Development
Downtown Area and Station Area
Opportunities and Synergies
35 Community Assets & Walkability
36 Photo: Merced Main Street Association
Photo: Trip Advisor
▪ Engagement Plan – complete, updated as needed
▪ Technical Working Group – early July
▪ Focus Group Interviews – early July
• Merced Main Street, Downtown Fresno Partnership, UC Merced • Development Professionals: local developers, Assoc. of Realtors, BIA • Transportation Agencies: HSRA, Merced County Transit Joint Powers Authority, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
• Public Service Providers: City, County, School Districts, Boys & Girls Club • Merced School Districts
Analysis and Vision (Phase 1)
–
Engagement
37 Work Led by: WRT and URBAN Diversity Design
▪ Community-Based Organizations (CBO) Workshop – July 31, subject to change ▪ Citizens Advisory Focus Group – late July, draft Vision & Goals ▪ Existing Conditions Open House – part of General Plan Update ▪ DSAP Scenarios Community Workshop & Survey – early October Analysis and Vision (Phase 1)
–
Engagement
38 Work Led by: WRT and URBAN Diversity Design
▪ Main Street Revitalization
▪ Affordable and Urban Lifestyle Housing
▪ Employment including UC Merced
Incubators
▪ Bay Area / LA Integration with High
Speed Rail
Market Context & Economic Development
39 Work Led by: Natelson Dale and Egon Terplan
2 Hour Travel Currently from Bay Area and LA
2 Hour Travel Extended with High Speed Rail
Downtown Vitality
Phases and Issue Areas
40 DAY 2:
BAY AREA
& LA SERVICE
➢ Major Investments in R&D, etc.
➢ Housing Demand & Growth
➢ Recreation & Placemaking
➢ Main Street
Revitalization 2.0
DAY 1:
CENTRAL
VALLEY SERVICE
➢ HSR, ACE, Amtrak, MTA, YART
➢ Signature Station and Plaza
➢ Downtown Extension
to Station
➢ Early Investments in
R&D, etc.
DAY 0:
PRE-STATION
➢ Main Street Revitalization
➢ Placemaking Infrastructure
➢ Affordable & Urban
Lifestyle Housing
➢ UC Merced Incubators
Planning Area Boundary with Zoning
41 Planning Area Boundary with Aerial and Station Project Area 42 Downtown Station Area Plan Schedule
43 MONTH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
May June July August September October November December January February March April May June 2025 2026 2026
week of 5/ 5 5/ 1 25/ 1 95/ 26 6/ 2 6/ 9 6/ 1 66/ 23 6/ 30 7/ 7 7/ 1 47/ 21 7/ 28 8/ 5 8/ 1 18/ 1 88/ 25 9/ 1 9/ 8 9/ 1 59/ 22 9/ 29 1 0/ 61 0/ 1 31 0/ 201 0/ 271 1 / 31 1 / 1 01 1 / 1 71 1 / 241 2/ 11 2/ 81 2/ 1 51 2/ 231 2/ 301 / 5 1 / 1 21 / 1 91 / 26 2/ 2 2/ 9 2/ 1 62/ 29 3/ 2 3/ 9 3/ 1 63/ 23 4/ 6 4/ 1 34/ 20 4/ 27 5/ 4 5/ 1 15/ 1 85/ 25 6/ 1 Kick-Off with City and HSRA m vacations APA thanksgiving holidays Bi-Weekly Meetings w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w Engagement Plan & Website Development w
Stakeholder Interviews w t t
CBO Outreach & Workshop w w t
TWG & CAFG Meetings w l T1 l C1 l T2 l C2 l T3 l C3 l C4 l T4 l C5 l C6 l DEPT REVIEW Vision Statement & Goals w w w n
Existing Conditions Engagement w l TWG l TWG l CAFG REPORT n workshop & survey Scenarios Development, Workshop, Survey l w l w l w t w Framework Development, CC/ PC Sessions l w l n w l w w n Planning Commission Review of Draft DSAP w w w w w w w w w n w n w n City Council Review of DSAP
week of 5/ 5 5/ 1 25/ 1 95/ 26 6/ 2 6/ 9 6/ 1 66/ 23 6/ 30 7/ 7 7/ 1 47/ 21 7/ 28 8/ 5 8/ 1 18/ 1 88/ 25 9/ 1 9/ 8 9/ 1 59/ 22 9/ 29 1 0/ 61 0/ 1 31 0/ 201 0/ 271 1 / 31 1 / 1 01 1 / 1 71 1 / 241 2/ 11 2/ 81 2/ 1 51 2/ 231 2/ 301 / 5 1 / 1 21 / 1 91 / 26 2/ 2 2/ 9 2/ 1 62/ 29 3/ 2 3/ 9 3/ 1 63/ 23 4/ 6 4/ 1 34/ 20 4/ 27 5/ 4 5/ 1 15/ 1 85/ 25 6/ 1 Regular Meetings and Project Administration ANALYSIS ANALYSIS Vision Statement & Goals w w w n
Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment w l TWG l TWG l CAFG REPORT workshop & survey Scenarios Development TWG 6/ 23 TWG 7/ 1 4 w l w l w t w Develop and Review Draft Plan Framework l w l n w l w w n ADMIN DRAFT FINAL DRAFT PC CC Develop and Review Draft DSAP w w w w l w l w w n w n
SYMBOLS
l TWG & CAFG
m Engagement Plan followed by Stakeholder Interviews
t Workshops & Interviews
n Council and/ or Planning Commission
TASK 1 - ENGAGEMENT
TASK 2 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT
ADOPTION
ADOPTION
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS
SCENARIOS
SCENARIOS
PLAN FRAMEWORK
PLAN FRAMEWORK
Analysis Phase and Scenarios Phase
44 MONTH 1 2 3 4 5 6
May June July August September October
2025
week of 5/ 5 5/ 1 25/ 1 95/ 26 6/ 2 6/ 9 6/ 1 66/ 23 6/ 30 7/ 7 7/ 1 47/ 21 7/ 28 8/ 5 8/ 1 18/ 1 88/ 25 9/ 1 9/ 8 9/ 1 59/ 22 9/ 29 1 0/ 61 0/ 1 31 0/ 20 Kick-Off with City and HSRA m
Bi-Weekly Meetings w w w w w w w w w w
Engagement Plan & Website Development w
Stakeholder Interviews w t t
CBO Outreach & Workshop w w t
TWG & CAFG Meetings w l T1 l C1 l T2 l C2 l T3 l C3 l
Vision Statement & Goals w w w n
Existing Conditions Engagement w l TWG l TWG l CAFG REPORT n workshop & survey Scenarios Development, Workshop, Survey l w l w l w t w week of 5/ 5 5/ 1 25/ 1 95/ 26 6/ 2 6/ 9 6/ 1 66/ 23 6/ 30 7/ 7 7/ 1 47/ 21 7/ 28 8/ 5 8/ 1 18/ 1 88/ 25 9/ 1 9/ 8 9/ 1 59/ 22 9/ 29 1 0/ 61 0/ 1 31 0/ 20 Regular Meetings and Project Administration ANALYSIS ANALYSIS Vision Statement & Goals w w w n
Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment w l TWG l TWG l CAFG REPORT workshop & survey Scenarios Development TWG 6/ 23 TWG 7/ 1 4 w l w l w t w
SYMBOLS
l TWG & CAFG
m Engagement Plan followed by Stakeholder Interviews
t Workshops & Interviews
n Council and/ or Planning Commission
TASK 1 - ENGAGEMENT
TASK 2 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT
ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS
SCENARIOS
SCENARIOS
COUNCIL AND COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Discussion Items
46 01.
INDICATORS
OF SUCCESS
When the General
Plan update and
Downtown Station
Area Plan is
complete, what
would make you
feel the process
was a successful
effort?
02. KEY
CHALLENGES
Are there any
additional key
challenges in
Merced that you
feel the General
Plan and
Downtown Station
Area Plan should
address?
03. KEY
OPPORTUNITIES
What are
additional key
opportunities in
Merced that the
General Plan and
Downtown Station
Areas Plan should
enhance or
protect?
NEXT STEPS
Next Steps
48 Schedule DSAP and
General Plan
Workshops
Facilitate stakeholder
interviews and finalize
CAFG
Collaboration with City
staff on the General
Plan Audit
Preparation of the Existing
Conditions and Trends
Workbook