2. “Make no little plans; they have no magic
to stir men’s blood.”
Daniel Burnham
(Plan of Chicago, 1909)
3. Why Do We Plan?
The Balancing Act:
– Reflect community values
– Enhance community livability
– Balance goals that are often competing
with one another
4. What is Land Use Planning?
Stakeholder process by which cities
and counties determine what gets
built and where.
5. Who Authorizes
Land Use Planning?
• Under California State Law, all cities and
counties must have a General Plan or
“blueprint” for land use development.
7. Regulatory Framework
• General Plan
• City Council Policies (and Design Guidelines)
• Neighborhood Plans
• Zoning Ordinance
– Land Uses
– Development Standards
– Permit Processes
• Subdivision Ordinance
• Sign Ordinance
• Environmental Review
– NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act)
– CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)
8. General Plan
Vision for City’s future
Major Strategies
Standards for City
Services
Land Use Plan
9. General Plan
Under California State Law, all cities and
counties must have a General Plan or
“blueprint” for land use development.
The General Plan is
the City’s official policy
statement regarding
its future character,
land use patterns, and
quality of
development.
10. General Plan Required Elements
Land Use,
Circulation,
Housing,
Conservation,
Open Space,
Noise, and
Safety
12. General Plan Major Strategies
General Plan 1990 (1975)
s Growth Management
s Transportation/Land Use Integration
s Economic Development
s Downtown Revitalization
s Urban Conservation/Preservation
Horizon 2000 (1984)
s Greenline
s Urban Reserves
San Jose 2020 (1994)
s Transit Corridors
s Housing
s Sustainable City
13. How is the General Plan
Implemented?
Specific Plans are detailed plans for specific
areas of the City.
Proactive approach to shaping development
Prevents piecemeal development by linking
GP policies and individual development
proposals in defined area
Provides more detail for implementation than
the General Plan
14. Other Tools for Implementation
Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Specific Plans
The Zoning Ordinance
Subdivision Ordinance
California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA)
City Council Policies
Design Guidelines
15. Zoning
Legislative decision by Council, which:
Divides the City into districts,
Prescribes what can and cannot be built
on each parcel,
Regulates the use, placement, spacing,
and size of land and buildings
16. Conventional vs. Planned
Development Zoning
Conventional Zoning:
Districts identified in the Zoning Ordinance
Planned Development Zoning:
Tailors regulations to a particular site
17. Entitlement Sequence
“Discretionary” Actions (require public
hearing)
General Plan Amendments / Specific Plan
Amendments
Rezoning (Conventional or Planned Development)
Development Permit (Site Permit, Conditional Use
Permit, Special Use Permit or Planned Development
Permit)
Tentative Subdivision Map
20. Roles in the Planning Process
The Rule makers:
Federal government
State of California
Regional agencies
Local government
The Participants:
Applicants
City Staff
Community stakeholders
21. Community Participation
• On-line Information
• Social Media
• City Hall
• On-Site Signs
• Neighborhood Associations
• Letters and E-mail
• Community Meetings
• Public Hearings
22. Content of Project Files
Project files are available to Public
The contents include:
Plans
Memorandums and correspondence
Environmental review
Staff reports and/or Permits
Conditions of approval
State law requires that all jurisdictions prepare and maintain a General Plan. San Jose’s first modern General Plan was GP ’75. The Horizon 2000 General Plan was adopted in 1984, and the current General Plan, San Jose 2020 was completed in 1994. Lots of changes have happened since that time, and we’re rapidly approaching 2020, so it’s time to update our guiding policies. The General Plan provides the City’s long-term vision for its future. It guides the physical development of the City so the City will provide a high quality of life for our residents, as well as for those who work in and visit San Jose. It’s the driving force behind creating a City that’s full of great places to live, work, and play. In CA, 7 required GP elements are land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open-space, noise and safety. The GP guides future growth of the City by identifying appropriate locations for jobs, housing, open space, etc. Direct capital improvements and infrastructure investment Coordinate new development with the delivery of services such as parks, libraries, fire and police protection
Community Stakeholders seek to protect the interest of the community.