17 - Laserfiche WebLink

New Themes in the Draft General Plan Although the overarching theme of the General Plan remains the preservation and enhancement of Pleasanton's quality of life, there are several additional important issues discussed in the Draft General Plan, including: o Sustainable Development. Sustainable development draws from the environment only those resources that are necessary and that can be used or recycled perpetually, or returned to the environment in a form that nature can use to generate more resources. Sustainability includes the long-term fiscal and economic health of the City as well as conserving natural resources, reducing energy usage, creating a healthy community, and emitting fewer air pollutants. This theme is reflected in goals, policies, and programs throughout the General Plan including the Land Use, Circulation, Conservation and Open Space, Water, Air Quality, Energy, Economic and Fiscal, and Subregional Planning Elements. o Planning Concepts. The Draft General Plan incorporates planning concepts that facilitate sustainable development such as a new Mixed Use land use designation, and an emphasis on providing additional housing opportunities near transit and in the Downtown. The General Plan also acknowledges Pleasanton's responsibility in reducing its contribution to climate change. The Draft General Plan does this by encouraging the use of public transit, walking and biking rather than driving, and reducing energy usage in daily living and commerce. o General Plan Vision. This is the first Pleasanton General Plan that includes a Vision Statement developed by the City Council that articulates a future vision for the City. The Working Draft Vision was used to guide the preparation of the General Plan. It emphasizes the high quality of life in Pleasanton, its diversified economic base, its goal of developing a safe, convenient and uncongested circulation system, and its commitment to sustainable community principles and to minimizing health and safety hazards. o Additional General Plan Elements. A Draft Energy Element and a Draft Water Element are new in this General Plan update and address topics of interest to the Pleasanton community and that relate to the theme of sustainable development. CONCLUSION The Draft General Plan is essentially complete and the Draft EIR is underway. The Planning Commission and the City Council have seen all the individual draft Elements. The final stage of the General Plan update process will include public review at Planning Commission and City Council hearings with Final EIR certification and General Plan adoption anticipated this Fall. Submitted by: Jerry Iserson Director of Planning and Community Development Approved y. Nelson Fialho City Manager Page 4 of 4