General Plan Update
2025
Presented by:
Gabriel Elliott
Director of Community, Development & Housing
Introduction
• Since 2019, the City has received funds towards the preparation and completion of the General Plan Update. The funds, received from various sources, including a 2023 $634,825.09 budget amendment, totals $4,75,825.09.
• To date, the City has expended a total of $3,802,729.57, including all grant funding ($1,125,000). Project performance deadlines are still associated with the grant funds, and the City has until the end of the year to complete projects budgeted under the award. A total of $957,095.52 remains unspent.
Total Funding Sources
Background
On November 16, 2019, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution 2019-320 authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the State of California to receive $3,000,000.00 for an update to the City’s General Plan. Attachment 1, is the letter from Assemblymember Ramos initiating that funding. On May 29, 2020, the City received approval of a $625,000.00 reimbursable grant to assist in the General Plan project. The original term ran through December 21, 2022, but was extended to December 31, 2023. To date, the entirety of the grant has been expended and fully reimbursed to the City. While reimbursement of the grant has been completed, the City remains obligated to complete all funded projects by December 31, 2025
Background
On September 16, 2020, the City entered into a Professional Services Agreement (Resolution No. 2020-231 – Attachment 3) with PlaceWorks for a comprehensive update to the General Plan, creation of a Downtown Specific Plan, and update to the Development Code. On March 22, 2021, the City signed and accepted the Project Guidance Document prepared by PlaceWorks. At that time, the project schedule was designated for final adoption in Spring 2023.
On July 21, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-191 – Attachment 5), authorizing the city to accept the Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant funds in the amount of $500,000.00. To date, the entirety of the grant has been expended and fully reimbursed to the City. As with the SB 2 Grant, reimbursement of the LEAP Grant has been completed and the City is set to complete all funded projects by December 31, 2025.
Background
On May 4, 2022, concurrent with the allocation of the LEAP Grant funds, a request was made for additional funding ($297,323.00) to be used for expanded public outreach. The City Council denied the request for additional funding.
Budget Augmentation
On On March 21, 2024, the City received a budget augmentation request from PlaceWorks for additional funds to be allocated to the General Plan project. The funds request totaled $474,684.03, and are broken down as follows:
Ø Housing Element (already accrued) – $199,298.75
Ø 2022 and 2023 Annual Progress Reports (already accrued) – $20,028.00 Ø Environmental Justice Element – $157,077.25
Ø Project Administration and Management – $98,280.03
Ø On May 1, 2023, the Mayor and City Council approved Amendment No. 2 to the professional services agreement authorizing $634,825.09 in additional funding for the General Plan project. To date, the funds allocated with this amendment represent the only fiscal impact to the City.
Committees and Commissions
GPAC
Ø General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) held their first meeting on July 15, 2021, and the last meeting was on May 1, 2023. DTAC
Ø The Downtown Specific Plan Advisory Committee (DTAC) meetings were held between July 28, 2021, and ran regularly through August 2022.
EIR & LHMP
EIR
Ø The Scoping Meeting for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was held on July 30, 2025. When complete, the EIR will address the General Plan, DTSP , and Development Code.
LHMP
Ø Local Hazard Mitigation Plan – The LHMP was adopted by the Mayor and City Council on May 7, 2025.
TRUCK ROUTE STUDY
Truck Route Study
Ø A truck route plan has been prepared and was presented to the Planning Commission on November 10, 2025, in accordance with the requirements of Assembly Bill 98 (AB) which requires approval of the Truck Route by December 2025. The associated code amendment will be presented to the Mayor and City Council on December 3, 2025.
ELEMENTS OF THE GP
Safety
Environmental Justice
Historical Preservation
Energy and Water Conservation
Land Use
Public Facilities and Services
Parks, Recreation, and Trails
Utilities and Infrastructure
Open Space and Conservation
Economic Development
Circulation and Mobility
Noise
COMPLETED PUBLIC DRAFTS
Public drafts of completed elements have been posted to the project website (http://futuresb2050.com).
DOWNTOWN SP
The Downtown Specific Plan is a form-based code that is intended to define the future development of the downtown area. The plan encompasses an area bound broadly by I-215 (west), 8th Steet (north), Sierra Way (east), and the railroad south of Rialto Avenue (south).
The plan is broken up into nine (9) districts to help distinguish the existing characteristics of the residential neighborhoods in the north, SB County property, the downtown core, etc. Residential densities are to be increased up to 35 du/acre in the northern residential areas and 100+ du/acre in the core. Consistent with form-based intentions, land uses will be expanded with the primary intent of limiting heavy industrial manufacturing and logistic use, while opening up allowances elsewhere.
DEVELOPMENT CODE
The existing Development Code was originally adopted in 1991 and has been amended consistently to present date.
The new Development Code is being structured as a replacement to the existing code rather than an update. Among the major changes, the new Development Code will include a consolidated and updated land use matrix and updated definitions that will better reflect the pivot in commercial and office development. Residential densities will be updated across the board to assist the City in complying with our Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Additional procedural changes will be implemented to help streamline review processes and create enhanced methods for public information and involvement during project review.
FISCAL IMPACTS
There is no fiscal impact related to this update. However, the budget augmentation had a $634,825.09 impact on the 2024/2025 budget.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, receive and file an update on the status of the General Plan Update and provide addition direction to staff, as needed.
Phase I – Surplus Land Declarations
Discussion (Cont.)
• The services, which may be funded with proceeds of the special tax include:
• All costs attributable to Maintenance of median landscaping and other public improvements installed within the public rights-of-way
• Public lighting including street lights and traffic signals, • Maintenance of streets, including pavement management, and street sweeping, • Maintenance and operation of water quality improvements including storm drainage and flood protection facilities
• In addition to the costs of the forgoing services, proceeds of the special tax may be expended to pay administrative expenses and for the collection of reserve funds.
Questions?