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2 Strategic Planning Process for the City of San Mateo
The following is a summary of the strategic planning process and the elements therein as approved by the City Council at its Study Session of 10/07/24. This information will be reviewed at the Off-Site Workshop on March 14, 2025.
Reference Summaries for Initiative Identification
The following summary reflects the work of the General Plan, the Community Opinion Survey (February 2025), the Community Leader Interviews (July 2024) and the Community Conversations (sessions 1 – 5, with 6 to be completed March 2025). Please note that the Community Conversations are yet to be officially completed and compiled, so the information within this summary reflects current notes from the facilitator of those sessions.
The purpose of this document is to assist the Council in identification of appropriate Initiatives for the Strategic Plan by reflecting some information from historical and current communication and planning processes. To be most effective, the Council will identify up to ten (10) Initiatives.
Theme General Plan
2040
2025
Community
Survey
Community
Leaders
Interviews
“Conversations”
Housing &
Homelessness
Housing
Element
More affordable
housing;
addressing
homelessness
Expand
affordable
housing
Maintain &
expand
affordable
housing
Land Use and
Development
Land Use
Element
Limited growth
& preserving
open space.
Manage land
use and
development
Development
process is
arduous and
costly
Increase green
spaces and
public serving
facilities
Transportation Circulation
Element
Managing
congestion;
Improve City’s
transportation
system to
reduce traffic,
encourage
walking, biking,
transit use
Increase
accessibility
for public
transportation;
pedestrian
friendly
infrastructure
Enhance bus
services; address
parking issues;
enhance
accessibility;
pedestrian safety;
traffic congestion
Aesthetics Community
Design and
Historic
Improve
appearance of
the City by
removing trash
Maintaining
property
standards to keep
the neighborhood
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2 Resources
Element
and graffiti,
improving
landscaping,
beautification
projects
attractive.
Enforce
maintenance
codes; mobile
food vendors; see
more tree
planting
Public
Safety/Emergency
Preparedness
Safety
Element
Improving the
City's
preparedness
for emergencies
and natural
disasters
Promote safety
initiatives.
Continue to build
strong
relationships with
first responders;
domestic violence
is prevalent
Sustainability and
Climate
Resiliency
General Plan
Theme -
Sustainability
Protect
Resources;
reduces GHGs
Invest in eco-
friendly
projects
Invest in green
spaces
Infrastructure and
Facilities
Public
Services and
Facilities
Element
Upgrade and
maintain public
infrastructure
Centralized
Resources:
Create a
multilingual
centralized
hub for
resources and
events to
improve
accessibility
and inclusivity
for all
residents
Upgrade City
facilities to serve
the current needs
of the community;
make space for
community
gatherings; more
ped/bike paths
Economic Vitality Land Use
Element
Promoting
economic
development;
improve City’s
economic
vitality through
business-
friendly policies,
revitalizing
outdated
commercial
areas, attracting
diverse mix of
employers, jobs
Locally
focused job
training
Revitalize
neighborhood
amenities;
support
employment
opportunities;
attract
supermarkets
and other
essential
businesses back
to the area
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2 Community
Engagement and
Communication
General Plan
Theme –
Community
Engagement
Continue to
improve
communications
and
engagement
Increase
engagement
&
participation;
foster
leadership;
multiple
languages for
materials;
annual
assessments
and feedback
Promote
advocacy; target
youth in
communications;
encourage
volunteerism &
leadership;
support
educational
opportunities;
increase
responsiveness
of government.
Organization
Health/Good
Governance
Public
Services and
Facilities
Element
Long-term
financial
conditions
Hire diverse
staff;
promote
programs that
explain the
political
process, civic
rights, and
avenues
for
involvement.
need for
better access
to city
services and
resources
City needs to
demonstrate that
they are listening
and willing to
work together
with the
community to
address
challenges and
provide solutions.
Ensure city staff
receive cultural
sensitivity training
to better serve
diverse
communities and
improve
engagement;
increase staff
diversity
Healthy
Community for all
Ages
Cultural
Enhancement
Conservation,
Open Space
and
Recreation
Element
Community
Design and
Historic
Resources
Element
Appreciation for
Parks and
Recreation
facilities and
opportunities
and a strong
community
bond
Strengthen
neighborhood
support
structures;
preserve and
uplift
cultural
districts; use
local task
forces; health
access
programs;
Community
programming;
enhance senior
services;
celebrate cultural
diversity; bridge
neighborhoods;
host community-
unifying events
and multicultural
celebrations
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2 cultural story
telling