Planning 101

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood.”

Daniel Burnham(Plan of Chicago, 1909)

Why Do We Plan?

The Balancing Act:– Reflect community values – Enhance community livability– Balance goals that are often

competing with one another

What is Land Use Planning?

Stakeholder process by which cities and counties determine what gets

built and where.

Who Authorizes Land Use Planning?

• Under California State Law, all cities and counties must have a General Plan or “blueprint” for land use development.

US Constitution California State Law

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)

Regulatory Framework

General Plan

Vision for City’s future

Major Strategies

Standards for City Services

Land Use Plan

The General Plan is the City’s official policy statement regarding its future character, land use patterns, and quality of development.

General Plan

Under California State Law, all cities and counties must have a General Plan or “blueprint” for land use development.

General Plan Required Elements

Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Noise, and Safety

Land Use / Transportation Diagram

General Plan 1990 (1975)

Horizon 2000 (1984)

San Jose 2020 (1994)

Growth Management Transportation/Land Use Integration Economic Development Downtown Revitalization Urban Conservation/Preservation

Greenline Urban Reserves

Transit Corridors Housing Sustainable City

General Plan Major Strategies

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

Other Tools for Implementation

Capital Improvement Program (CIP)Specific PlansThe Zoning OrdinanceSubdivision OrdinanceCalifornia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)City Council PoliciesDesign Guidelines

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

Conventional vs. Planned Development Zoning

Conventional Zoning: Districts identified in the Zoning Ordinance

Planned Development Zoning: Tailors regulations to a particular site

“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

Entitlement Sequence

Entitlement Sequence

“Ministerial” Actions (no public hearing) Administrative Permits Public Works Clearance Building Permits Final Subdivision Map

Process Flow-chart

Roles in the Planning Process

The Rule makers:Federal governmentState of CaliforniaRegional agenciesLocal government

The Participants:ApplicantsCity StaffCommunity stakeholders

Community Participation

• On-line Information• Social Media• City Hall• On-Site Signs• Neighborhood Associations• Letters and E-mail• Community Meetings• Public Hearings

San Jose CA Building a City of Great

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