Applicants Sought For General Plan Update Steering Committee

Newsreleases

The City of Santa Clara is establishing a General Plan Update Steering Committee to help chart the future of the City. Three residents will be selected to serve on a committee that also includes representatives of the City Council and City Commissions.

The 2010-2035 General Plan Update is an opportunity for the City to reflect on its history and accomplishments, and to set a course for its future. Many of the objectives for the City’s existing General Plan have been met, and many new opportunities and challenges have emerged. Updating of the City’s Housing Element is a legal requirement for the Plan. In order to accommodate Santa Clara’s share of the regional population, additional housing will need to be built in our community in a way that is sensitive to established neighborhoods. The Update will also include General Plan elements such as Land Use, Transportation, Environmental Quality, and Public Facilities and Services, as well as additional elements that address sustainability, historic preservation and community design. Existing planning efforts now underway will also be considered, including the proposed Downtown redevelopment near Lafayette and Homestead, and the Santa Clara Station Area Plan at El Camino Real and Benton.

A General Plan is only successful when it reflects the priorities and values of the community. The Steering Committee will help guide the process over a two year period. Meeting dates and times will be set by committee consensus, but are expected to occur about every six weeks on weekday evenings, and will be open to the public. Please consider applying to serve as an appointed representative on the Steering Committee. An application form may be obtained from the Planning Department by calling (408) 615-2450, or emailing Planning@santaclaraca.gov. The form is also posted online at http://santaclaraca.gov/city_gov/city_gov_current_issues.html. Completed forms are due to the Planning Department offices by 5 p.m. on May 23, 2008.

Potential Steering Committee members will be considered on a variety of factors including representation of different geographical areas of the City, length of residence, diverse backgrounds, and interests.

At the June 10, 2008 City Council meeting at 7 p.m., the Council will appoint three of the applicants to participate on the Steering Committee. Applicants are asked to attend the meeting in the event that there are Council questions or clarification requested about their application.

Residents who are not interested in serving on the committee but would still like to participate in the process can do so by attending the General Plan Update community workshops, by visiting the General Plan Update website at www.santaclaragp.com, or by placing their names on a notification list to be kept informed. Easy online sign-ups are available from the General Plan Update website. There will also be newsletters mailed to all residents, and a city-wide mail-in survey distributed to all households.

The first two community workshops are scheduled for Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m. and Monday, June 23 at 7 p.m. Both these meetings will be in the Auditorium of the Santa Clara Senior Center at 1303 Fremont St. The public is invited.

If you are a resident and interested in serving on the General Plan Update Steering Committee, or just want more information, contact Doug Handerson in the City Planning Department, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050. You may also call (408) 615-2450 or email dhanderson@santaclaraca.gov.