The General Plan Update process started in 2015 as a comprehensive update to the existing General Plan, along with the Preparation of a Downtown and El Camino Real Specific Plan (originally defined as the Planned Development Area Specific Plan), and the related program Environmental Impact Report for CEQA compliance. Over the course of the following years, extensive community engagement occurred including a four-day Community Planning and Design Charette in November 2016 to help design the future of downtown and El Camino Real. The Charrette provided a unique opportunity for everyone who participated to be a co-author of the General Plan and Priority Development Area (PDA) Specific Plan.

In addition to the Charrette, the project incorporated a variety of Joint City Council and Planning Commission Study Sessions. The purpose of the Study Sessions was to provide an overview of the project, identify key steps, review the Vision and Guiding Principles, the Phase I Public Input Summary: Issues and Opportunities and Existing Conditions Report, and to get direction on the preparation of the PDA Specific Plan and General Plan Update.

A detailed Existing Conditions Report and a Report on the Phase I Public Input Summary: Issues, Opportunities, and Vision was published in August 2016. An Administrative draft General Plan and Downtown and El Camino Real Specific Plan was prepared for staff review in 2017, but the work was largely stopped in 2019 and was not restarted until now. The City has resumed work on the project to pick up where it left off and will include a General Plan Update, Downtown and El Camino Real Specific Plan, Active Transportation Plan, Housing Element Update, Implementing Zoning Code Amendments, and Related Environment Impact Report.   

Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to having your help in developing the plan for our future