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4 THE CITY OF - ~ CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT PL£~SA~NTONo January 30, 2007 Planning and Community Development TITLE: RECEIVE INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE AND CONSIDER THE DRAFT COMMUNITY CHARACTER ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN SUMMARY The first part of this report provides the City Council with a status report on the General Plan update process, including what has been accomplished and a schedule for completion and adoption of the General Plan and Environmental Impact Report. The second part of this staff report concerns the Draft Community Character Element of the General Plan which has been reviewed by the Planning Commission and recommended to the City Council. The background information and goals, policies and programs have been edited, updated, reorganized, and amended to reflect new information and issues not considered in the 1996 General Plan. The City Council is being asked to review this Draft and provide feedback to staff prior to the incorporation of the Draft Element into the Draft General Plan document. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION The Planning Commission reviewed and commented on the Draft Community Character Element on September 27, 2006. At that time Commissioners requested several changes and additions related to including additional community events and descriptions in the background section, and including policies related to entryway signage and appearance, the "walkability" of bus stop locations, the appearance of newspaper racks, the approval of in-fill development, and the preservation of ridgeland areas. Planning Commission minutes are included as Attachment 3. RECOMMENDATION Receive information concerning the status of the General Plan update; review and consider the Draft Community Character Element of the General Plan; and provide feedback on amendments to be made prior to incorporation into the Draft General Plan document. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Although this report describes a General Plan process longer than originally anticipated, it is not anticipated that it will require additional consultant assistance other than that which has been previously authorized. Therefore, no additional fiscal impact is anticipated.