Almost like an overnight sensation the city has a new General Plan. Of course, I am joking on the overnight part considering the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) has been meeting since before I was on council. Thirty plus GPAC meetings, three planning commission meetings, three city council meetings and the city’s new General Plan has been drafted, voted on, and passed.
Community members, property owners, real estate professionals, consultants, attorneys, city staff, and maybe a coyote or two weighed in on the plan that creates the road map for the next twenty years; that is until the first amendment is passed.
Guiding principles is what this document is meant to provide, but it is difficult not to want to attempt the drafting of a perfect blueprint. With the hard work of our city staff and the GPAC I believe the updated General Plan is both viable and realistic.
After a quick “good job” to our planning department the question was asked by Council “when will we see the new Zoning Ordinance (the companion document to the General Plan)?” The Planning Director was able to muster up a weary “soon”! My hope is soon means by summer a draft is complete and the final document is in place by fall. Until the Zoning Ordinance is in place, the General Plan along with a Zoning Matrix will provide guidance for any properties left in the gap.
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who worked so hard on this project, job well done!
