2050 General Plan
May 12, 2026
Overview Presentation
Agenda
q Introduction
q 2050 General Plan
q Environmental Clearance Process
q Next Steps
q Questions and Comments
Introduction
City of San Bernardino
General Plan
March 2026
Project Overview
Project Components
q 2050 General Plan update
q Development Code update
q Downtown Specific Plan
Why update these plans?
q Existing General Plan was 20 years old
q Development Code needs modernizing
q Desire to spur downtown economic development
What was the Process?
DOWNTWN
SPEC.PLAN
VISION
STATEMENT
GENERAL
PLAN
PUBLIC
HEARINGS +
ADOPTION
2021 2021 2022-2024 2024-2025 2025 2026
DEV CODE
UPDATE
EXISTING
CONDITIONS
+ TRENDS
PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAM
Outreach Summary
Community Outreach
q Workshops on land use + vision – over 12 meetings
q Special topic meetings – over 12 meetings
q Many more workshops, pop-up events, videos, etc.
q Communitywide vision survey (1,500+ comments)
Advisory Committees
q General Plan Committee - held 14 meetings
q Downtown Committee - held 8 meetings
q Housing Element special outreach
q Posted online at https://futuresb2050.com/
Vision for a New Era
Why a New Vision was Drafted
Reflects the community’s core values and desires as they relate to the 2050 General Plan. The Vision guides and informs the development of specific policies and programs.
Reflects a new era for the San Bernardino community that reflects the desires of the community through 2050 and is - post-COVID
- post-bankruptcy
- post-redevelopment
Vision Themes
The City of San Bernardino will be …. an excellent
City to live, work, and play
Our rich heritage
Spirit of collaboration
Unparalleled natural and scenic beauty of our City
Equitable treatment of all residents, businesses, and community groups
Diverse amenities (e.g., jobs, schools, public services, housing, healthy environment)
Vision Themes
Vision Themes -continued
Strong neighborhoods where we know one another and
offer a diverse range of housing and amenities
Commitment to the advancement of the education and
skills of all residents
Robust, resilient economy that nurtures both local
business and household prosperity
Dependable, accessible, affordable, and environmentally responsible transportation
Valuing the cultural and creative expression of residents General Plan
Components
Structure of General Plan
2050 General Plan sections:
q Introduction. This includes highlights public outreach process, purpose of the project, vision, and other information.
q Elements/chapters. Contains 12 chapters which include a new environmental justice element, expanded elements for safety, open space and conservation, and cultural resources among others q Implementation plan. The General Plan includes 225 programs for implementing the goals and policies of the general plan. 2050 General Plan Elements
Mandated Elements Optional Elements
Land Use and Urban Form Parks, Recreation and Trails Circulation and Mobility Public Facilities and Services Housing (separate volume) Economic Development
Open Space/Conservation Cultural Resources
Public Safety Utilities and Infrastructure
Noise Health & Environmental Justice
Land Use + Urban Form
Purpose:
Establish a plan for the type, intensity/density,
location, and quality of land uses.
Includes:
q Land Use Designations and Plan
q Specific Plans, Overlays and Map
q Community Buildout (2050)
q Urban Form, Community Design Section
q Focus Areas Section
Land Use + Urban Form Element
Land Use + Urban Form
Significant changes in the element
q Consolidated land use districts from 25 to 12
q Added three (3) new mixed-use districts
q Realigned strategy/focus areas to 10 areas
q Added high level community design guidance
q Focus on sustainable and resilient development
Project impact (2025-2050)
q +36,000 homes (~113,000 total)
q +63,700 residents (~331,000 total)
q +60,500 jobs (172,200 total)
Land Use Designation Changes
Original Districts Proposed Changes
Residential Estate (1.0 du/ac) No change
Residential Low (3.1 and 3.5
du/ac)
Residential Low 4.0*
Residential Suburban (4.5 du/ac) Residential Sub.
7.2*
Residential Urban + Med Density (9 and 14
du/ac)
Residential Med.
16.0*
Residential Med High and High (14 and 36
du/ac)
Residential High
32.0**
Residential Districts
q Consolidates residential land use districts
q Densities raised slightly to accommodate nonconforming uses* q Densities raised for medium and high density for housing element** Land Use Designation Changes
District Key change Standards
Commercial
Neighborhoo
d
New category to reflect small
neighborhood style commercial uses
0.0 – 1.5 FAR
Up to 16 du/ac
Commercial
Corridor
Replaces 4 commercial general (CG)
districts, 0.7 to 1.0 FAR) and adds
housing
0.7 – 2.0 FAR
Up to 16 du/ac
Regional
Commercial
Replaces 5 regional commercial (CR)
districts (0.7 to 3.0 FAR) and adds
housing
1.0 to 3.0 FAR
Up to 16 du/ac
Commercial Districts
q Consolidates commercial land use districts
q Residential densities added as required by state law
q Densities kept low to encourage commercial uses and tax revenues Land Use Designation Changes
District Allowable Land Uses Standards
MX-NBD
Neighborhood
Neighborhood commercial uses,
residential, and mixed uses
0.0 – 1.5 FAR
Up to 32 du/ac
MX-COR
Corridor
More intense commercial uses, and
high-density mixed uses along
corridors
0.7 – 2.0 FAR
Up to 40 du/ac
MX-CTR
Center
Office, restaurants, commercial,
hotels, housing, and highest mixed
uses
1.0 to 3.0 FAR
Up to 60 du/ac
Mixed Use Districts
q Creates three mixed use districts along corridors
q Intensities are the same as the commercial categories q Residential densities are higher to make housing feasible S:\TYV-10.0\Products
Land Use Designation Changes
Uses Allowable Land Uses Standards
Industrial Flex Same allowable uses as Office
Industrial Park (OIP) and Industrial
Light (IL)
0.0 – 1.0 FAR
Industrial No change in allowable land uses –
same as prior Industrial Heavy (IH)
0.0 – .75 FAR
Industrial-
Extractive
No Change – mineral extraction 0.0 – .05 FAR
Industrial Districts
q Consolidates 5 industrial land use districts
q Maintains allowable intensities, but increases intensity slightly (0.25 FAR) for industrial flex uses for offices uses
Circulation + Mobility
Purpose:
Establish a plan for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in the city.
Includes:
q City’s future roadway system
q Vehicle circulation and level of service
q Active transportation (bicycle and walking)
q Public transit by bus, air, and rail
q Goods movement (trucking, rail, air)
q Additional specialized topics
Circulation + Mobility
Significant changes in the element
q Expands and prioritizes pedestrian infrastructure
citywide to promote walkability and safety
q Significantly expands proposed bicycle routes by
approximately 40 lane miles
q Updates transit policies for bus, aviation, and
railways to strengthen multimodal system
q Focuses truck routes in industrial areas in the
southern portion of San Bernardino
Economic Development
Purpose:
Establish a plan for developing the local economy,
equipping its workforce, and generating revenues for
reinvestment in the community.
Includes:
q Policies to retain, attract, expand business
q Policies for activity centers, districts, and corridors (corridors, downtown, industrial areas, etc.)
q Policies for improving economic security and
workforce development
q Policies to support long-term fiscal resilience
Economic Development
Significant changes in the element
q Deletes redevelopment project areas (phased out
per 2013 state law); converts to focus areas
q Includes policy guidance for existing and
emerging focus areas, such as
- Auto Center
- Greater Downtown
- Hospitality Lane
- Other Areas as well
q Includes guidance on fiscal resiliency and on a
stronger economic development program
Public Facilities + Services
Purpose:
Establish a plan for providing essential services that
maintain and improve quality of life.
Includes:
q Education and Library
q Health Care Facilities
q Community Fire Service
q Community Police Services
q Environmental Programs
Public Facilities + Services
Significant changes in the element
q New policies on expanding and growing the local
health profession and medical care sector
q Updated policies on environmental programs (solid
waste, urban forestry, code enforcement, etc.)
q New policies on capital improvement planning for
services, facilities, and infrastructure
Utilities and Infrastructure
Purpose:
Outlines the City’s long-term strategy for developing,
operating, and managing utility infrastructure and
services
Includes:
q Wastewater/sanitation
q Water resources
q Storm drainage
q Energy resources
q Telecommunications
Utilities and Infrastructure
Significant changes in the element
q Incorporates the goals and policies of the former
Energy and Water Conservation Element
q Water Resilience: Stronger policies on recycled
water use and expansion of the system
q Energy Resilience: Stronger policies on renewable
energy generation (solar, fuel cell, methane, etc.)
Parks, Recreation, Trails
Purpose:
Outlines the City’s long-term strategy for developing,
operating, and managing park and recreation facilities
in the community
Includes:
q Parks and Open Spaces
q Park and Facility Design
q Recreational Programs
q Bicycle and Multiuse Trails
Parks, Recreation, Trails
Significant changes in the element
q Equity analysis of the location and accessibility of
parks and recreational facilities by neighborhood
q Park facility guidance - opportunities to expand the
number and size park acreage in the city
q Recreation programs – new section and expanded
policies for recreational programs and facilities
q Trail Network – policy guidance for developing and
expanding the system of multiuse trails
Open Space + Conservation
Purpose:
Outlines the City’s long-term strategy for managing,
protecting, and balancing is natural resources for the
benefit of the community.
Includes:
q Natural Features
q Biological Resources
q Watershed Resources
q Natural Resources (Minerals)
q Air Quality
Open Space + Conservation
Significant changes in the element
q Richer discussion of the City’s natural setting,
including topography and waterways, habitats,
sensitive species, and other related topics.
q Stronger policy guidance for preserving open
space, conserving habitat, enhancing wildlife
corridors, and watershed management.
q Stronger policies for improving air quality and via
alternative fuels, green infrastructure, reduction of
indirect source pollution, alternative transit, etc.
Cultural Resources
Purpose:
To recognize, affirm, and enhance the City’s rich
heritage and cultural resources.
Includes:
q Historic Resources
q Paleontological Resources
q Archaeological Resources
q Cultural Resources
Cultural Resources
Significant changes in the element
q Recognition and rich description of the City’s
history, historic structures, monuments, art, cultural
landscapes, urban traces, oral history, and culture.
q Strong policy guidance on establishing a cultural
resource program, including the recognition of
assets, planning, ordinances, events, and staffing.
q New policy guidance for amplifying the City’s
growing creative arts scene, including performing
arts, visual arts, and other artistic expressions.
Health + Environmental Justice
Purpose:
To create and sustain a clean and healthful
environment for residents of all neighborhoods.
Includes:
q Reduction in Exposure to Pollution
q Adequate Public Facilities and Services
q Diverse Supply of Affordable Housing
q Opportunities for Healthy Food
q Opportunities for Physical Activity
q Community Engagement and Involvement
Health + Environmental Justice
Significant changes in the element
q Elevates the importance of health and wellbeing of
residents as a critical issue for residents.
q Provides guidance on how to improve health for
the community by:
- Expanding parks, bicycle routes, and trails
- Supporting expansion of health care
- Expand access to healthier foods
- Reducing exposure to pollution
- Equalizing access to public facilities
Public Safety
Purpose:
Outlines the City’s natural and human caused hazards
and plan for effective response.
Includes:
q Natural Hazards (earthquakes, flooding, fire, severe
weather, and climate change)
q Human caused hazards (hazardous materials and
waste, aviation, and noise among others)
q Emergency planning efforts including response,
evacuation and recovery) to respond
Public Safety
Significant changes in the element
q Identifies and provides strong guidance on fire,
such as wildfire threats as required by state law and
in response to recent wildfire events.
q Responds to changes in natural hazard patterns,
specifically new policies on severe weather, extreme
heat, and climate change as required by state law.
q Updated guidance on emergency response, such
as emergency evacuation routes and timetables,
and response protocols as required by state law.
Implementation
General Plan success depends on Implementation
q Under separate cover, the 250 General Plan has an
Implementation Plan with approximately 250 programs.
q The Implementation Plan includes existing programs already being undertaken as well as new programs.
q The Implementation Plan does not replace the 5-year Capital Improvement Plans or other master plans in the city.
Environment
Clearance Process
Purpose of CEQA
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) [pronounced “SEE- quah]
q Purpose: Discloses project impacts to public and decision-makers AND identifies ways to avoid or reduce environmental impacts q Scope of Coverage: EIR will cover three documents– General Plan update, Downtown Specific Plan, and Development Code update q EIR Topics: will address approximately two dozen mandated topics, with the exception of the Housing Element, which was covered earlier.
Process for CEQA
Public &
Agency Review
of Draft EIR (45
Days)
Prepare Notice
of Preparation
Scoping
Meeting
Prepare Draft
EIR
Prepare Final
EIR incl.
Response to
Comments
Planning
Commission
Hearing
City Council
Hearing
Issue Notice of
Determination
OPPORTUNITI
ES FOR
PUBLIC INPUT
Distribute
Notice of
Preparation
Final Steps
Moving to the Finish line
q Study Sessions: Two study sessions held in May 2026
q Public Review GPU: Will be updated and posted by June 1, 2026 at:
https://futuresb2050.com/draft-general-plan-elements/
q Final EIR: Final EIR complete in September 2026
q PC Hearing(s): PC Hearing(s) in October 2026
q CC Hearing(s): CC Hearing(s) in November 2026