What is a General Plan? Why do cities prepare them?

What is a General Plan?

• The general plan is a document consisting of text and maps, that is adopted by the City Council to guide the City’s future
• The General Plan has been described as its constitution for conservation and development – the framework within which decisions on how to grow, provide public services and faciltiies, and protect and enhance the community must be made.
• The general plan is thus a blueprint for the future physical development of the City.

Why do we have a General Plan?

• All cities are required by State law to have a General Plan. The General Plan has several purposes:
• It establishes a vision of the future and outlines steps to achieve that vision.
• It is a guide to private development that is consistent with the community’s long-term goals.
• It is a guide for the City Council in decision-making regarding development, capital improvements, and priorities.

What does the law require?

• The State requires that the plan contain seven elements: Land Use, Circulation (primarily Transportation), Housing, Open Space, Noise, Safety, and Conservation (of resources). The content of these elements is outlined in State law.Optional elements are permitted (for example, Arts or Economic Development).
• The General Plan must cover both land within the city and any land outside the city’s boundaries that relates to its planning.
• The Plan must be internally consistent—there can be no policy conflicts between any parts of the plan, either in text or maps.

How does the General Plan relate to the zoning ordinance?

• The general plan sets standards for development in general terms such as density (dwelling units per acre) or building intensity (how much building per square foot of site area). The zoning ordinance sets minimum lot sizes, height limits, setbacks, and parking requirements that can be applied readily and directly to individual parcels.