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ENVISION STOCKTON 2040 GENERAL PLAN UPDATE: DRAFT 2040 GENERAL PLAN, UTILITY MASTER PLAN SUPPLEMENTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
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RECOMMENDATION
Receive a presentation from staff and public comments regarding the Envision Stockton 2040 General Plan Update, Master Utility Plan Supplements, and the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Staff seeks input to guide efforts to draft the general plan update. There is no recommended action as this is a discussion only item.
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Summary
In 2016, the City initiated Envision Stockton 2040 General Plan Update with a commitment to updating the General Plan in a fiscally sustainable manner. On
June 26, 2018, drafts of the General Plan Update, Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and related utility master plan documents were released for public review and comment. Staff will present an overview of the current draft Envision Stockton 2040 General Plan and associated draft documents, including: a summary of past community engagement efforts, overview of proposed policies and environmental documents, and a preview of future community outreach and engagement. Staff is requesting input from the Planning Commission and public to further guide efforts to finalize the General Plan Update. The General Plan Update will be the subject of future public hearings before the Planning Commission and Council. No action is required as this is a status update and discussion item only.
DISCUSSION
Background
State law requires each city and county to adopt and periodically update a General Plan that provides a comprehensive, long-range plan for its physical development. The General Plan is important because it contains goals, policies and implementation measures to guide development within the city limit and beyond it in a Sphere of Influence where City services may someday be provided. The City’s current 2035 General Plan was adopted in 2007. Since its adoption, significant economic and demographic changes occurred, prompting the City to update its growth and development assumptions.
In 2016, the City initiated Envision Stockton 2040 General Plan Update with a commitment to updating the General Plan in a fiscally sustainable manner. This General Plan Update provides guidance for reevaluation of the City’s public infrastructure such as the City’s roadways and water and sewer distribution systems and whether the cost of that infrastructure is more than what the City wants from both a capital cost and maintenance cost. This update provides an opportunity to revisit and reset the goals, policies, and implementation measures for development in the City limits and for future growth areas where City services may eventually be provided and become the Sphere of Influence. Policy guidance is provided to reevaluate our level of service goals regarding public infrastructure such as water, sewer, and transportation improvements. The level of service goals associated with these improvements and its relationship to land use growth projections determines the cost of development impact fees associated with the cost of building a home or to undertake a development project.
This update has been developed with extensive input and guidance from the community, including citizens, stakeholders, the Planning Commission, and City Council.
There have been more than 30 opportunities for public input thus far. In April of 2017, Council provided guidance to adopt infill standards using a city core intensification alternative. This infill alternative (referred to as Alternative “C”) has the smallest urban footprint of the three alternatives considered and contains the following attributes:
• Preservation of agricultural lands at City periphery
• Infill focused with Downtown emphasis
o Higher intensity mixed-use Downtown
o High density in and near Downtown
• Professional offices on South Airport Way
• Increased opportunities for grocery store(s) along South Airport Way
• Opportunities for medical offices near Weston Ranch
• Flexibility for employment/economic generator north of Eight Mile Road
On July 25, 2017, the City Council considered and provided guidance to staff on the development of the General Plan goals and policies. The goals, policies, and actions in a General Plan guide service levels that directly influence the costs related to development projects and operation of city government. The following are highlights of some of the recommended policy changes included in the draft General Plan policy document:
• Increasing allowable densities and intensity of the development in both downtown and the greater downtown areas. Infill policies are more prevalent particularly as it relates to downtown and within the city’s core and south Stockton.
• Weaving environmental justice policies throughout the General Plan affecting land use, transportation, and community health policies.
• Incorporating Public Health policies throughout the General Plan as it relates to land use, transit, and safety policies.
Present Situation:
On June 26, 2018, the following draft documents were produced and released for public review and comment:
• Draft General Plan policy document,
• Draft EIR, and
• Draft Utility Master Plan Supplements (water, wastewater, and stormwater)
Envision Stockton 2040 General Plan Update link:
www.stocktonca.gov/envisionstockton
or
www.stocktonca.gov/generalplan
Staff’s presentation will provide a brief overview of the current draft 2040 General Plan, Draft EIR and draft Utility Master Plan Supplements. Staff will inform the public on the comment period for the Draft EIR that will close on Friday, August 10, 2018, at 5:00 pm.
Opportunities for Community Input
In addition to tonight’s meeting, an additional study session is being scheduled for August. Staff anticipates finalizing the 2040 General Plan document and EIR and presenting them in Public Hearings for Planning Commission and Council’s consideration for adoption by the end of the year 2018.