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Report regarding the General Plan Update progress (Lisa Costa Sanders, Project Administrator)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Consider a presentation from Raimi + Associates on the General Plan Update progress. No further action required.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
A General Plan is the local government’s long-term blueprint for the community’s vision of future growth. Each city is required by California law to have a General Plan to guide its future land use decisions. South San Francisco’s last comprehensive General Plan update occurred in 1999.
The City Council initiated South San Francisco’s General Plan update process by forming a General Plan Community Advisory Committee (GP CAC) and selecting Raimi + Associates consultant team to guide the effort. The update process includes a comprehensive General Plan update, Zoning Code update, Climate Action Plan update and preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. The process will include substantial community engagement and meetings with the GP CAC, Planning Commission, and City Council.
The City Council kicked off the General Plan update process with a joint meeting held with the Planning Commission on April 29, 2019.
The following is a summary of progress made to-date on the General Plan update:
• The Community Advisory Committee has conducted five meetings to review information and provide feedback and direction to staff and the consultant team.
• The consultant team conducted over 20 stakeholder interviews. This included individual and small group interviews with: Council members; housing advocates and providers; child care and health care providers; school district representative; commercial brokers; religious leaders; labor union; life sciences association; Chamber of Commerce; YMCA; mothers club; and San Bruno Mountain watch.
• A pop-up event occurred at the Mayor’s State of the City Address and another is scheduled for the September 28, 2019 Concert in the Park. These are additional opportunities to meet with residents to inform them of the process and gather input in more convenient and informal settings.
• Staff and the consultant team also conducted nine (9) sub-area (neighborhood) meetings to inform the public of the General Plan update process and gather information on what should be preserved in the community and their vision for the future of the city in the next 20 years. The meetings were advertised with a city-wide postcard mailing and multiple social media and email announcements. The meetings were well attended and community members provided information that will help shape the vision and guiding principles for the General Plan.
• The consultant team has completed existing conditions reports which provides a baseline analysis of the City including: demographic and socio-economic conditions; transportation; parks and public services; natural and historical resources; hazards and noise; land use; neighborhood analysis; and climate change. The existing conditions reports are being reviewed by staff and will be finalized by the consultant for publication this Fall.
NEXT STEPS
Staff and Raimi + Associates are planning the following next steps to remain on schedule with the General Plan Update timeline:
• The Community Advisory Committee will continue to meet monthly to guide the update process including hosting community forums on informational topics. The first forum is scheduled for October 30, 2019 to discuss Emerging Trends in Transportation. This meeting will be announced for community attendance. The second forum will be held in January and will discuss Housing Affordability and Gentrification.
• A Community Workshop will be held in early December to report back on information gathering and feedback received from the community. This meeting will help shape the General Plan vision and guiding principles.
• The City Council will discuss the vision, guiding principles, and issues at a meeting in January. This will include a discussion on the sub-areas and areas of change and stability.