General Plans in general California Government Code Section 65300. Each planning agency shall prepare and adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the city, and of any land outside its boundaries which in the planning agency's judgment bears relation to its planning
General Plans Elements Element = Chapter/Topic Required Elements Land Use Circulation Housing Conservation Open Space Noise Safety
Land Use Element designates the proposed general distribution and general location and extent of the uses of the land for housing, business, industry, open space, including agriculture, natural resources, recreation, and enjoyment of scenic beauty, education, public buildings and grounds, solid and liquid waste disposal facilities, and other categories of public and private uses of land. CA Government Code 65302
Land Use Element General distribution and general location and extent of the uses of the land for: housing, business, industry, open space, agriculture, natural resources, education, public buildings and grounds, solid and liquid waste disposal facilities, and other categories of public and private uses of land. recreation, enjoyment of scenic beauty,
Land Use Element
Circulation Element consisting of the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, any military airports and ports, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated with the land use element of the plan.. CA Government Code 65302
Circulation Element Consisting of the general location and extent of existing and proposed : major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, any military airports and ports, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated with the land use element of the plan CA Government Code 65302
Circulation Element
Housing Element The housing element shall consist of an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs and a statement of goals, policies, quantified objectives, financial resources, and scheduled programs for the reservation, improvement, and development of housing. CA Government Code 65583
Housing Element The housing element shall consist of an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs a statement of goals, policies, scheduled programs for the reservation, improvement, and development of housing. quantified objectives, financial resources, and
Housing Element
Conservation Element for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources. CA Government Code 65302
Conservation Element For the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources. rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries,
Conservation Element
Open Space Element any parcel or area of land or water that is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open-space use as defined in this section, and that is designated on a local, regional or state open-space plan CA Government Code 65560
Open Space Element preservation of natural resources production of resources Historic places, features, and objects outdoor recreation public health and safety military installations
Open Space Element
Noise Element shall analyze and quantify, to the extent practicable, as determined by the legislative body, current and projected noise levels CA Government Code 65302
Noise Element Highways and freeways Arterials and major local streets Airports and Aviation Local industrial plants Railroad Operations Rapid transit systems
Noise Element
Safety Element for the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks CA Government Code 65302
Safety Element seismically induced surface rupture ground shaking ground failure tsunami dam failure slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides subsidence liquefaction seiche
Safety Element
General Plans Elements Required Elements Open Space Land Use Circulation Housing Conservation Noise Safety
General Plans Elements Optional Elements Up to the City! Economic Development Community Design Districts and Villages Public Facilities and Services Recreation and Waterways Youth and Education Natural and Cultural Resources
General Plan Questions?
Final Approval of General Plan 7 Required Elements 7 Optional Elements December 2007
7 Optional Elements Economic Development Community Design Districts and Villages Public Facilities and Services Recreation and Waterways Youth and Education Natural and Cultural Resources
Final Approval of General Plan Recognized as beginning of Great Recession December 2007
2035 General Plan consists of Background Report (725 pages) Goals and Policies Report (247 pages) Goals Policies Implementation Programs EIR, etc.
December 2007 2035 General Plan contains 88 Implementation Measures for CDD The City shall evaluate the development of incentives to promote reuse of distressed commercial areas. Such incentives may include permit streamlining, density bonuses, and other appropriate tools. The City shall use their website to make it easy to obtain timely information on planning proposals and methods and times for public input.
Final Approval of General Plan Recognized as beginning of Great Recession December 2007
September 2008 Settlement Agreement signed with Sierra Club and Attorney General agreeing to: Climate Action Plan Green Building Program Transit Gap Study General Plan Amendments
2008 2013 City lays off ~40% of its work force Community Development Department reduced from 88 to low of 25
2008 2013 Some Progress has been made Climate Action Plan Public Draft Released 2/5/14 Green Building Ordinance In progress multiple drafts Transit Gap Study Completed General Plan Amendments - TBD
2035 Stockton General Plan Questions?
New State Legislation AB 32 / SB 375 Climate Change SB 5 Floodplain Planning
AB 32 Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 Requires consideration of greenhouse gasses Return to 1990 levels of emissions Climate Action Plan
AB 32 Climate Action Plan Stockton DRAFT Cap released on February 5, 2014 Will be presented to Planning Commission in May/June timeframe
SB 375 Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 Regional Planning to reduce Greenhouse Gasses Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS)
SB 375 Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) Stockton participates in the San Joaquin County SCS through the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Ties transportation funding to compliance with SCS
SB 375 Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) Identify the general location of uses, residential densities, and building intensities within the region Identify areas within the region sufficient to house an eight-year projection of the regional housing need for the region Gather and consider the best practically available scientific information regarding resource areas and farmland in the region Set forth a forecasted development pattern for the region Identify areas within the region sufficient to house all the population of the region Identify a transportation network to service the transportation needs of the region Quantify the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions projected to be achieved by the SCS SOURCE: SJCOG
SB 375 Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) Considered various land use scenarios
SB 375 Scenario C Scenario D
SB 375 Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) Considered various land use scenarios Chosen Scenario will be basis for RTP Transportation Funding will require project conformance. MAJOR implications on ability to complete transportation/roadway projects.
AB 32 / SB 375 Questions?
Flood Management SB 5 Affects Sacramento/San Joaquin only Requires greater planning for flood risks General Plan Amendment Zoning Ordinance Amendment Prohibits Development Agreements until planning is completed
Flood Management SB 5 Department of Water Resources (DWR) must adopt Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Introduces concept of 200-year flood protection Historically, 100-year protection was norm
SB 5 Current Status City is awaiting final 200-year flood maps. Major implications on areas that were previously considered protected. Flood insurance, etc. City is working with regional partners San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency San Joaquin County
SB 5 Questions?
The Future Comprehensive General Plan Amendment Needs to reflect adopted Scenario (SB 375) Needs to complement CAP (AB 32) Needs to include flood risk planning (SB 5) Needs to address obligations of Settlement Agreement (infill, growth planning, etc.)
Also, The Future Needs to be manageable and flexible to allow future amendment without inordinate expense and effort; Needs to be achievable implementation measures must be deliverable and within budget;
Also, The Future Needs to reflect today s economy, growth, industry, and regional position; Needs to be a real tool for good decisionmaking.
Amendment Questions?
Conclusion State Law requires a General Plan with 7 mandatory elements Current General Plan reflects optimism of 2006 Does not reflect today s Stockton or today s California Amendments are needed for a variety of reasons.
Conclusion Opportunity awaits!
Questions?