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DISCUSSION
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: December 3, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Gabriel Elliott, Director of Community Development and Housing Department: Community Development & Housing
Subject: Status on the General Plan Update
Recommendation
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 additional direction to staff, as needed.
City Manager's Comments
This item is to provide an update to the City Council on the status of the General Plan update.
Executive Summary
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.
Total Funding Sources
State Assembly $3,000,000.00
SB 2 Grant $625,000.00
LEAP Grant $500,000.00
Amendment No. 2 $634,825.09
Total Funding Allocated $4,759,825.09
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
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award. A total of $957,095.52 remains unspent.
This update is to inform the Mayor, City Council, stakeholders, advisory committees affiliated with the General Plan Update, and members of the community, with the where the project currently stands. It is anticipated that most, if not all, of the elements of the General Plan will be delivered by December 2025.
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 April 7, 2020, the city released an RFP for the General Plan and Development Code update.
The City received a total of six responses to the RFP. One response was only for the creation of the Downtown Specific Plan and was eliminated from further consideration.
Remaining submittals ranged in price from $2,211,510 to $3,621,484. The bid submitted by PlaceWorks was for $3,597,985.
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.
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.
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
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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:
Housing Element (already accrued) – $199,298.75
2022 and 2023 Annual Progress Reports (already accrued) – $20,028.00 Environmental Justice Element – $157,077.25
Project Administration and Management – $98,280.03
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.
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.
The additional funding is intended to cover current accrued costs and future costs for labor and work products related to:
(a) the final publication of the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) certified 2021-2029 Housing Element;
(b) preparation of the 2050 Environmental Justice Element (EJ); (c) preparation and completion of the City’s General Plan update; and (d) project administration and coordination for the extension of the schedule for completion of the work products beyond the previously City-confirmed timeframe of March 2023.
Discussion
As part of the General Plan Update process, the City established some committees to provide guidance through the process and review components of documents.
GPAC
General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) held their first meeting on July 15, 2021, and the last meeting was on May 1, 2023.
DTAC
The Downtown Specific Plan Advisory Committee (DTAC) meetings were held between July 28, 2021, and ran regularly through August 2022.
The draft land use plan was provided by PlaceWorks fall of 2022. This plan was generated based on input from Staff and the cumulative input received through numerous community-based workshops.
After the city was sued in February 2023 over the failure to adopt a compliant Housing Element for the 6th Cycle, staff’s focus shifted from preparation of the Downtown
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Specific Plan and remaining sections of the General Plan to focusing on the completion and adoption of the Housing Element. The 2021-2029 Housing Element has been completed and was adopted by the City Council on February 21, 2024. Staff submitted the 2024 Annual progress Report (APR) to HCD on April 1, 2025.
At present time, Staff is bringing the comprehensive General Plan Update and the Downtown Specific Plan for adoption by the Mayor and City Council, consistent with the performance standards associated with the City’s grant funding.
Delivery of the Development Code is being slightly delayed.
EIR
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
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan – The LHMP was adopted by the Mayor and City Council on May 7, 2025.
Truck Route Study
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 General Plan
The General Plan Update includes the following elements:
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
Public drafts of completed elements have been posted to the project website (http://futuresb2050.com).
Downtown Specific Plan
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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.
The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is currently being written and planned for public review I Q1 2026, with adoption hearing to follow through Q2 2026. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
The update of the General Plan, the Development Code, the Downtown Specific Plan, and the Truck Route Study aligns with Key Target Goas No. 3: Improved Quality of Life and 4(b) Economic Growth and Development – Update the General Plan and Development Code. Specifically, the General Plan Update and the associated Development Code, Downtown Specific Plan and Truck Route Study will help guide development in the City of San Bernardino, which will spur economic development. It will also ensure consistency with the City’s land use designations as required by the General Plan.
Fiscal Impact
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
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provide addition direction to staff, as needed.
Attachments
Attachment 1. Assemblymember Ramos’ Letter
Attachment 2. Resolution No. 2019-320
Attachment 3. Resolution No. 2020-231
Attachment 4. Resolution No. 2021-062
Attachment 5. Resolution No. 2021-191
Attachment 6. General Plan Progress Report
Attachment 7. General Plan Update PPT
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
On November 6, 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.
On April 7, 2020, the city released an RFP for the General Plan and Development Code update, with submittals due by May 21, 2020. In consultation with prospective consultants prior to submission, the City provided the (at that time) funding for the project totaling $3,625,000.
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 31, 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.
On September 16, 2020, the City entered into a Professional Services Agreement (Resolution No. 2020-231) 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 as prepared by PlaceWorks. At that time, the project schedule was designed for final adoption in Spring 2023.
On July 21, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-091, authorizing the City to accept the Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant funds in the amount of $500,000.00. These funds were later allocated to the project budget through Amendment No. 1 on May 4, 2022. 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
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by December 31, 2025.
On May 1, 2022, 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. The additional funding is intended to cover current accrued costs and future costs for labor and work products related to the (a) final publication of the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) certified 2021-2029 Housing Element, (b) preparation of the 2050 Environmental Justice Element (EJ), preparation and completion of the City’s General Plan update, and (d) project administration and coordination for the extension of the schedule for completion of the work products beyond the previously City-confirmed time-frame of March 2023.
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. To date, no additional amendments have been proposed.
On March 21, 2023, the City received a budget augment request from PlaceWorks for additional funds to be allocated to the General Plan project. These funds total $474,684.03, and are broken down as follows:
Housing Element (already accrued) – $199,298.75
2022 and 2023 Annual Progress Reports (already accrued) – $20,028.00 Environmental Justice Element – $157,077.25
Project Administration and Management – $98,280.03
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager