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General Plan Update
City Council, Agenda Item 6.A
December 7, 2022
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 What is the General Plan?
Blueprint for meeting the community’s long-term vision for the future Establishes the City’s goals and priorities for the next 10-20 years Preserves and enhances community strengths
Enables the community to come together to develop a shared vision Required for all cities and counties in California by state law The general plan is more than the legal underpinning for land use decisions; it is a vision about how a community will grow, reflecting community priorities and values while shaping the future.
Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR)
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Purpose of the General Plan
Guide land use planning decisions
Communication tool for staff and decision makers:
What is the vision for the City?
What are our big priorities for the built environment?
How do we communicate our priorities and vision?
How helpful is our General Plan in telling our story?
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Why Update the General Plan?
Outdated with some elements over 20 years old
Must periodically update to keep up with changing needs and conditions of the City and region Opportunity to address emerging trends and ideas
Opportunity to hold a “community conversation” about the future
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Why Update the General Plan?
Must address new State requirements and areas of focus:
State laws also require certain elements to be updated concurrently:
Comprehensive update to more closely integrate the elements Elements interrelated; updating one often drives updates to others Planning for a balanced multimodal transportation network Addressing risk of fire and identifying evacuation routes in hazard areas Providing climate adaptation and resiliency strategies
Addressing equity and environmental justice
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Why Update the General Plan?
Address critical issues facing the community – give development a “road map”:
Preserving animal-keeping/small-plot agricultural lifestyle Ensuring residents have housing opportunities regardless of income Expanding development opportunities that fit the community’s vision Diversifying revenue sources
Building a sustainable workforce
Maintaining community character
Maintaining healthy and safe neighborhoods
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Requirements
7 required “elements” or topic categories
Internal consistency
Geographic comprehensiveness
Regional context
Issue comprehensiveness
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Public Engagement
Project website
Online surveys and polls
Online mapping
Webinars
Educational videos
Stakeholder meetings
Focus groups
Workshops and events
Open houses
Virtual meetings
Public hearings
Public participation is required by State law. Participation/Engagement Tools:
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 General Plan Best Practices
Engagement that covers the full spectrum of involvement Vision should be a clear, succinct, overview of big ideas/strategies Focus on implementation and clear decision-making
Policies should be explicit to establish our position, guide decision making and give direction on implementation Infuse character and design into land use designations to preserve identity and local quality of life
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Process
Hire a Qualified Project Manager
Solicitation
Prepare Request for Proposals (RFP)
Bidders prepare proposals
Interviews and selection of multi-disciplinary consultant team
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Process
Community Participation & Input
City Staff, Consultants,
Inter-agency Coordination
Visioning,
Issues & Opportunities
Preferred Alternative & Tech Studies
Land Use Alternatives
Research, Baseline Conditions & Assessments
Identify Goals & Priorities
Public Review Draft General Plan & EIR, CEQA Review Period Public Hearing Draft General Plan, Response to Comments & Final EIR General Plan Adoption
Administrative Review Drafts of GP & EIR
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Estimated Cost
Anticipated $1-1.3 million based on recent comparable contracts Major expenses within a General Plan Update process include:
Outreach and community engagement
Analysis and review of existing conditions
Analysis of alternative land use and circulation concepts Technical studies (i.e. circulation, noise, etc.)
Preparation of the General Plan document
Environmental documentation
Project Management
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Funding
The preparation of a General Plan is a significant investment every 20 years. Funding for the comprehensive update of the general plan will come from:
The general plan maintenance update designated balances Available funding in the General Fund due to the one-time savings as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) revenue loss
Planning Commission Virtual Housing Element Update 1.13.2021 Recommendation
That staff proceed with a comprehensive update to the City of Norco General Plan to required elements (Circulation, Land Use, Open Space, Noise, Safety and Conservation Elements), and that an economic development element. This will:
Solidify the City’s long-range vision and establish clear policy direction to guide the community through the next 20 years.
Will shape Norco for the next generation as it will build a comprehensive road map for future development It will enable the City Council, City Commissions, and Citizens the opportunity to collaborate and invest in the long-range plan of the City of Norco.
1 General Plan Update
City Council, Agenda Item 6.A
December 7, 2022
Questions and Discussion