06 Staff Report - Preliminary Work Plan for General Plan Update~ojW N op MEETING DATE: 12/3/07
ITEM NO:
!ps GaoS COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: November 29, 2007
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: PAMELA JACOBS, INTERIM TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY WORK PLAN FOR GENERAL PLAN
UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the preliminary work plan for the General Plan Update.
BACKGROUND:
Initiation of the General Plan Update was discussed at the Council retreat in March. At the
meeting, the Council indicated that the General Plan is serving the community well, but an
update is desired to consider new issues that have arisen since its adoption. Many of the
implementation measures in the plan have been completed. Additionally, the update provides an
opportunity to refine existing policies that may not be serving the community as intended or that
lack clarity, and to revise information that is no longer current.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has prepared a draft scope of work for the General Plan (attached). This effort is intended
to be a fine-tuning of the existing General Plan rather than a comprehensive overhaul of the
document. Topics previously identified by the Council for review as part of the update include
the following:
• Recreation, Parks and Open Space
® Sustainability and Green Building
® Public Facilities
• Downtown
• Needs of youth and seniors
PREPARED BY: 14~ ortz
Director of Community Development
N:ADGViCNCLRPTS\2007'~General Plan Scope of Work.TC.tptLdoe
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager / Town Attorney
Clerk Administrator inance Community Development
- J17
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: WORK PLAN FOR GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
November 29, 2007
In addition to those issues, staff has identified the following topics that should also be addressed
during the update:
• Review the existing General Plan for inconsistencies, ineffective goals and policies, and gaps
such as the lack of criteria for subdivisions
• Remove completed implementation measures
• Update fees such as traffic and storm drain mitigation fees
• Conduct a fiscal impact analysis pertaining to the cost of providing facilities outlined in the
General Plan such as widening roads, etc
• Incorporate strategic planning concepts into the General Plan as needed
At the retreat, the Council indicated that the General Plan Committee (GPC) will serve as the
advisory group for the update. Council input and direction will be sought at major milestones
during the update. The role of the GPC is to:
• Work with staff and the consultant to review and refine the Work Plan
• Conduct community workshops
• Disseminate reports to Commissions and Council
• Review the Draft General Plan and EIR and make recommendations to the Planning
Commission and Town Council
The Housing Element, which is required to be completed by June 2009, may be conducted under
a separate contract by a different consultant. Because of the specific nature this element and the
timing required for its completion, staff is currently discussing preparation of the Housing
Element with consultants and will forward a scope of work and contract to the Council for
approval. Work on this element will be coordinated with the efforts of the General Plan
consultants.
CONCLUSION:
If the Council approves the Work Plan staff will prepare a Request for Proposal for consultant
assistance with the General Plan Update. Once proposals are received, staff will return to the
Council for approval of a contract and initiate the update.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the inventory will come from the General Plan Update Fund. Sufficient funds are
available in this account.
Attachments:
1. General Plan Update Work Plan
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
INTRODUCTION
The Town of Los Gatos last updated and adopted its current General Plan eight years ago.
The Town Council has indicated that the General Plan is serving the community well, but
an update is desired to consider new issues that have arisen since its adoption and to
remove completed implementation measures. Additionally, the update provides an
opportunity to refine existing policies that may not be serving the community as intended
or that lack clarity and to revise information that is no longer current.
As such, this effort is intended to be a fine-tuning of the existing General Plan rather than
a comprehensive overhaul of the document. Topics identified by the Council for review
as part of the update include the following:
• Recreation, Parks and Open Space
• Sustainability and Green Building
• Public Facilities
• Downtown
• Needs of youth and seniors
• Incorporating strategic planning concepts into the General Plan as needed
• Review the existing General Plan for completed implantation measures,
inconsistencies, ineffective goals and policies, and gaps such as the lack of criteria for
subdivisions.
• Update fees, such as traffic and storm drain mitigation fees.
• Conduct a fiscal impact analysis pertaining to the cost of providing facilities outlined
in the General Plan, such as widening roads
The General Plan Committee (GPC) will serve as the advisory group for the update.
Council input and direction will be sought at key milestones during the update. The role
of the GPC is to:
• Work with staff and the consultant to review and refine the Work Plan
• Conduct community workshops
• Disseminate reports to Commissions and Council
• Review the Draft General Plan and EIR and make recommendations to the Planning
Commission and Town Council
Below is a summary of the work program for all phases of the update. This work
includes background research, alternatives analysis, policy formation and preparation of
the General Plan and associated FIR.
WORK PLAN SUMMARY
Task A: Project Initiation
The consultant will meet with staff to refine the scope of work, discuss expectations for
the schedule, process and work products, and availability of background data and reports.
The scope of work will be reviewed with the GPC and a final scope of work will be
agreed upon. The consultant will begin collecting background information. A workshop,
sponsored by the GPC, will provide the community with an opportunity to identify issues
of importance. The consultant and staff will develop a strategy to utilize the Town
website as means to provide public outreach during the update.
1. Project Kickoff Meeting w/ staff 4. Collect Background Information
2. Review Scope of Work with GPC 5. Public Outreach Meetings
3. GIS Data and Map Assembly 6. Develop Project Website
Task B: Prepare Existing Conditions Background Report
This task involves data collection, growth and economic trend analysis, and mapping of
the Town's physical characteristics and service areas for inclusion in the Background
Report. The Existing Conditions Background Report also identifies future opportunities
and constraints, and where appropriate, lays the groundwork for policy development on
the full range of environmental, land use and public service issues. The Background
Report will also be used as the Existing Setting section of the EIR. The various sections
of the report are identified below.
1. Land Use 8. Public Services
2. Population, Employment and Housing 9. Noise
3. Circulation and Transportation 10. Air Quality
4. Biological Resources 11. Safety and Hazards
5. Cultural Resources 12. Geology
6. Economics 13. Hydrology and Water Quality
7. Infrastructure
Task C: Identify Issues, Opportunity and Constraints
The objective of this step is to utilize the information compiled in the Existing Conditions
Background Report to better inform and support discussions surrounding issues related to
the development of the new General Plan and provide a basis for creating sound policies
and implementation programs.
The Vision & Guiding Principles sets out the Town's key values and aspirations for the
future. This document will guide the development of the General Plan throughout the
update process.
I. Review Existing Conditions Report
2. Identify Issues
3. Develop Framework and Guiding
Principles
Town of Los Gatos General Plan Update 2
Work Plan
I
Task D: Development of Alternatives
The consultant will prepare two or three land use alternatives to address key issues
identified by the Council, Commissions, the public and staff. The alternatives may
potentially address the land use mix, development options for key sites, approaches to
commercial corridors, circulation options, and interactions between land use and
transportation systems. They will be formulated and analyzed in a manner that meets
CEQA requirements for alternatives analysis for the General Plan EIR.
Each of the alternatives will be analyzed for their potential implications. Based on this
analysis, a final recommendation on a preferred land use alternative will be developed by
the GPC. While the preferred alternative may be one of those presented, it is more likely
that it will comprise a hybrid of components from more than one alternative. The
preferred land use alternative will be presented to the Planning Commission for input and
recommendation. The Town Council will provide final direction regarding the preferred
alternative.
1. Formulate Alternatives 4. Evaluate Three Alternatives
2. Develop Alternatives Work Book 5. Select Preferred Alternative
3. Present Three Alternatives
Task E: General Plan Goals and Policy Development
This task will include review of the existing General Plan and recommendation on which
goals, policies and implementation measures should be retained, modified or deleted.
New Elements, goals, policies and implementation measures will be developed to address
issues identified during the General Plan process. The goals and policies will be
evaluated by staff and the GPC. The consultant will then prepare an Administrative Draft
General Plan for internal review by staff and a Preliminary Draft General Plan for review
by the GPC. At the same time, the consultant will also prepare an implementation plan
that outlines measures for measures identified in the General Plan. The implementation
plan will prioritize the measures and include a schedule for each project and the
responsibility party. The plan will assist the Town in developing future budget and work
programs for infrastructure and services to high priority projects identified in the General
Plan.
1. Review Existing Goals and Policies
2. Develop Working Papers of key issues
for review with GPC
3. GPC provides direction on key issues
4. Prepare recommended new elements,
goals and policies
Task F: Draft EIR
5. Goals and Policy review by GPC
6. Administrative Draft General Plan
7. Preliminary Draft General Plan review
by GPC
8. Draft General Plan
An environmental assessment pursuant to the CEQA will be prepared. This task will be
conducted in parallel with the Draft General Plan. Plan policies that serve as mitigation
measures will be identified, so the need for additional mitigation should be limited.
Town of Los Gatos General Plan Update 3
Work Plan
1. Prepare Notice of Preparation
2. Preparation of EIR
3. Review Admin Draft EIR
4. Prepare Draft EIR
Task G: Community Workshops
5. GPC Review of Draft EIR
6. Notice of Completion
7. 45 day review period
Community Workshops will be held to present and obtain input on the Draft General Plan
Element and EIR. Following the Workshops, additional meetings will be held with the
GPC to further review and refine the draft General Plan Element based on comments
from the Workshop.
1. Review Draft General Plan 3. GPC Final Review of Draft General
2. Review Draft EIR Plan and EIR
Task H: Public Hearings
The objective of this task will be to take the Draft Plan and the Draft EIR through public
meetings and hearings leading to adoption of the General Plan. The Draft General Plan
and Draft EIR will be the subject of public hearings before the Planning Commission and
Town Council.
Following the 45-day EIR comment period, the Final EIR will be prepared, including
responses to comments and any necessary changes to the Draft EIR. A Notice of
Determination also will be prepared. The mitigation monitoring and reporting program
will be included in the Final FIR.
Following adoption, a final version of the General Plan will be prepared.
1. Planning Commission hearings 3. Adopt General Plan and EIR
2. Town Council hearings 4. Final General Plan
N:ADEV\Curtis B\Projects\General Plan\Work Plan for General Plan Update.doc
Town of Los Gatos General Plan Update 4
Work Plan