Title:
Title
Vision and Guiding Principles for the 2040 General Plan Update
End
FileID
File ID: 2019-01433
Location
Location: Citywide
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution formally adopting the Vision and Guiding Principles for the 2040 General Plan Update
Contact: Remi Mendoza, CFM, Senior Planner, (916) 808-5003; Greg Sandlund, Principal Planner, (916) 808-8931, Community Development Department
Body
Presenter: Remi Mendoza, CFM, Senior Planner, (916) 808-5003, Community Development Department
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
3-Exhibit A: Vision and Guiding Principles
4-Outreach Summary Report
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Developing a Vision and Guiding Principles is an important first step in the General Plan Update process, setting the tone for the General Plan by identifying key themes and priorities. They describe a shared aspiration for the kind of place envisioned for Sacramento in 2040 and what is necessary to achieve it. They are a broad, aspirational statement that will inform the more specific, detailed language of the goals and policies in the plan.
Once adopted by Council, the Vision Statement & Guiding Principles (Exhibit A) will guide the development of the General Plan throughout the update process. The Vision and Guiding Principles will be incorporated into the 2040 General Plan to provide a long-term framework for decision-making to help ensure overarching community objectives are achieved. More immediately, in the next phase of the process, the Vision and Guiding Principles will be used as a lens for evaluating options and strategies to incorporate into the 2040 General Plan Update and Climate Action Plan.
Policy Considerations: The draft Vision and Guiding Principles are consistent with the City’s adopted Global Ends Policy which state that, “the Sacramento community, including its distinct neighborhoods, enjoys a diversified, inclusive economy and a city that is clean, safe, healthy, and vibrant, with beautiful natural spaces, recreational activities for all ages, cultural events, and ease of mobility. These ends are achieved efficiently and to the greatest possible extent given available resources.”
Economic Impacts: The Vision and Guiding Principles will guide the development of General Plan policy that promotes equitable, sustainable economic development that strengthens Sacramento’s role as a regional economic center with opportunities for advancement throughout the City.
Environmental Considerations: The Vision and Guiding Principles are covered under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA Section 15378 (b)(2) as continuing administrative activities and policy and procedure of the City that do not constitute a project and are not subject to CEQA. (CEQA Guidelines, §15060(c)(3)). Any actions that could result in a physical change in the environment would be identified as projects and would be subject to CEQA review. The development of the Vision Statement and Guiding Principles is one of the initial steps in the General Plan preparation process, for which a Master Environmental Impact Report will be prepared to evaluate the environmental effects of the 2040 General Plan Update.
Sustainability: The proposed Vision and Guiding Principles envision Sacramento to be a leader in bold, equitable climate action through transit-oriented development, sustainable building practices and innovative mobility strategies.
Commission/Committee Action: Staff presented the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles to the Planning and Design Commission on September 12, 2019. The Commission responded favorably and forwarded the staff recommendation for approval to City Council.
The Vision and Guiding Principles were also presented to the following Commissions and to the Environmental Justice Working Group for review and comment.
|
Commission/Working Group |
Meeting Date |
|
• SHRA Commission |
September 18 |
|
• Preservation Commission |
September 18 |
|
• Sacramento County, Adult & Aging Commission |
September 25 |
|
• Environmental Justice Working Group |
October 1 |
|
• Disabilities Advisory Commission |
October 2 |
|
• Parks & Community Enrichment Commission |
October 3 |
Rationale for Recommendation: City Council has directed staff to proceed with a five-year update of the General Plan. Adoption of the Vision Statement and Guiding Principles is a critical milestone in this first phase of the project that will be foundational for the subsequent phases of the 2040 General Plan Update.
Financial Considerations: Not applicable
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Background: The draft Vision and Guiding Principles reflect input received from a range of stakeholders between January and July 2019, during Phase I of the General Plan Update process. The focus of Phase I was on understanding issues and opportunities that need to be addressed in updating the General Plan and Climate Action Plan. Outreach conducted during this phase included:
• Stakeholder Interviews (January/May)
• Four citywide workshops (April/May);
• Planning and Design Commission input (May 9th);
• Youth in the Summer at City Hall Program (June)
• Meetings with the interdepartmental Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) (January/June);
• Meetings with the Environmental Justice Working Group (EJWG) (May/June/October)
In all, during this phase, over 500 individuals shared input which has informed the 2040 Vision and Guiding Principles.
Summary of Key Themes
The Vision and Guiding Principles in the 2035 Plan were originally adopted in 2009 as part of the 2030 General Plan. Input from community members in 2019 reaffirmed that many of the major themes from that prior effort remain current today; however, some new priorities have emerged and the emphasis around certain themes has shifted. Overall, the following six broad themes emerged from community outreach conducted as part of Phase I:
• Sustainable and Responsible Growth
• Resiliency and Climate Action
• Safe, Equitable, Inclusive, and Just City
• Regional Economic Hub
• Livability and Sense of Place
• Interconnected, Accessible City
• Youth
As noted above, equity has emerged as a key theme throughout the first phase of outreach. Staff is currently utilizing the working definition approved by the City Council Budget and Audit Committee on September 24, 2019 as part of the Inclusive Economic Development Investment Funding Guidelines:
Equity working definition: Fair and just treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while identifying and eliminating barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups.
A report of the community input received as part of Phase I outreach is included in Attachment 4. A summary of the key take-aways that have informed the 2040 Vision and Guiding Principles is provided below:
§ A major theme of the 2035 Vision and Guiding Principles was environmental sustainability, and this remains a community priority today; however, input received in 2019 indicates heightened concern and a greater sense of urgency for action.
§ Whereas the 2035 Vision and Guiding Principles emphasized the need for a “balanced,” multi-modal transportation system, in 2019 community members including walking, bicycling, and transit - over single-occupant vehicles in the interest of reducing GHG emissions, improving community health, and addressing congestion.
§ Community members who provided input during Phase I supported a continued focus on improving livability and increasing opportunities for infill development; however, there was a greater emphasis on ensuring a range of housing options is available and affordable to residents in all income demographics and at all stages of life, including students, young adults, families, and seniors.
§ Public safety emerged as a higher priority in 2019 than in the prior Vision and Guiding Principles. Community members referenced sense of safety in their neighborhoods and on roadways as a high priority, as well as safety from natural hazards and the impacts of climate change.
§ A new theme that emerged in 2019 has to do with equity. Community members recognized a range of factors that need to be addressed in order to address disparities between neighborhoods in Sacramento.
Various Commissions and the Environmental Justice Working Group have reviewed and fully endorsed the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles for the 2040 General Plan Update. The following summary provides a general overview of the feedback received during the review of the vision and guiding principles.
Planning and Design Commission
The Commission responded favorably to the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles. Some of the Commissioners had the opportunity to attend the General Plan Update workshops. The Commissioners expressed their appreciation to staff for the undertaking an outreach program that allowed for the community input to be the basis of the new 2040 Vision and Guiding Principles.
One comment from a Commissioner proposed modifying guiding principle #1 to limit new growth within Sacramento’s existing footprint. Staff recommends using the existing language instead to emphasize concentrating new growth within the City’s footprint. New growth adjacent to the City will be studied further as part of the cumulative analysis for the Master Environmental Impact Report (MEIR). Technical studies will be undertaken to assess the impact of new growth, and this information will be presented to the community in the options and alternatives phase for further consideration.
A commissioner stated that staff should consider reducing the number of guiding principles and prioritizing a short list of key principles. The guiding principles cover an array of issues and opportunities that the community has identified as a priority and essential to planning for the future of Sacramento. All the guiding principles will be useful for staff, the consultant team, and the community in updating the 10 elements of the general plan, the community plans, and the climate action plan. Staff recommends keeping the guiding principles intact. Staff will work with the community, the interdepartmental technical advisory committee, the Planning and Design Commission, and City Council to consider how to prioritize policies and implementation measures with the adoption of the 2040 General Plan.
SHRA Commission
The Commissioners reviewed and responded favorably to the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles. The Commission requested that staff return at an appropriate time with additional status updates regarding the General Plan Update project.
Preservation Commission
The Commissioners reviewed the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles and expressed their overall support and endorsement of the document. One of the Commissioners requested that staff consider modifying guiding principle No. 3 in order to consider the adaptive reuse of existing buildings and not simply historic buildings. Staff recommends incorporating this modification into the document and have updated guiding principle No.3 accordingly.
Sacramento County, Adult and Aging Commission
The Commissioners responded very favorably to the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles. There were no general plan issues or concerns identified at this meeting.
Environmental Justice Working Group
The Environmental Justice (EJ) Working Group reviewed the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles and after a robust discussion and proposed modifications they expressed their overall endorsement of the document. Based on input from the EJ working group the guiding principles have been updated to emphasize:
• Addressing environmental justice by prioritizing the needs of underserved communities
• Promoting access to fresh and healthy foods, clean water and sanitation
• Developing infrastructure to support zero emission transportation and providing viable options for low income households
• Providing the necessary support for law enforcement to build trust and collaborate with the community
• Going beyond tolerance and promoting understanding and respect among all residents
• Investing in extensive tree canopy, particularly in disadvantaged communities
Disabilities Advisory Commission
The Disabilities Advisory Commission expressed their overall support for the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles. A commissioner requested for staff to clarify that the vulnerable population is inclusive of individuals with disabilities and residents that are linguistically isolated. In response staff have accordingly updated guiding principle number 12.
Several of the Commissioners also requested that the terminology in the document encompass wording such as adaptive, access, and disability. In response staff have updated the text under the headings of Interconnected, Accessible City and Resiliency and Climate Action plan
Parks & Community Enrichment Commission
The Commissioners responded very favorably to the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles. There were no general plan issues or concerns identified at this meeting.
Councilmember Input
Planning staff provided briefings to various councilmember regarding the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles. Based on feedback from the councilmembers the document was updated with the following modifications:
• The City’s adopted Global Ends policy has been referenced in the introduction of the Vision and Guiding Principles.
• The document has placed a stronger emphasis on youth and investing in our human infrastructure
• The City’s Vision Zero Action Plan has been incorporated into the guiding principles.
• An emphasis on commercial corridor revitalization has been incorporated into the guiding principles.
• The guiding principles were updated to strengthen the link between new economic development with the desired goals of improving air quality and combating climate change.