The latest City of Sebastopol Newsletter is attached. I've included the lead article about the upcoming General Plan update below. The full newsletter has an article about wood smoke and becoming a volunteer Firefighter.
Note that a General Plan Advisory Committee of citizens will be formed. This is an excellent opportunity If you are interested in helping guide the future of Sebastopol.
I was on the GPAC on a previous update and I found it a very engaging and important process where you can have real impact, while having a smaller commitment than other civic roles. Please contact the Planning Department if you are interested in participating and let us know how it goes!
Barry
General Plan Update
Sebastopol is about to embark on a comprehensive update of its General Plan.
The General Plan is often referred to as the land use ‘constitution’ for cities. The General Plan sets forth along-term vision for the city, and includes policies and programs to work towards that vision.
The General Plan addresses key topics including circulation,development regulations, parks, air quality, noise, urban design, and economic development, as well as other issues. The Plan is implemented through the Zoning Ordinance and development standards, by public works projects, and by other implementation programs.
The current Sebastopol General Plan was adopted in 1994. While its vision of maintaining the special small-town qualities of Sebastopol remains valid, many aspects of the Plan need updating, and there are significant issues such as climate change that were not considered in the prior General Plan.
This year’s City Budget includes funding to initiate a major General Plan update. The City is retaining DeNovo Planning Group, a consultant with experience in preparing General Plan updates; will form a General Plan Advisory Committee(GPAC); once the draft Plan is prepared, will draft an Environmental Impact Report (EIR);and eventually, will conduct formal public hearings by the Planning Commission and City Council.
The process will include preparation of technical background reports addressing a wide variety of topics,including traffic conditions, air quality, noise levels, infrastructure,geotechnical data, and other aspects that provide a picture of existing conditions in Sebastopol.
Stay tuned to the City website for information about the General Plan Advisory Committee. The City Council wishes to appoint a broad-based Committee whose members represent a variety of interests of the Sebastopol community.
If you are interested in applying to be a member of the GPAC, please contact the Planning Department.
It is anticipated that major work on the General Plan Update will commence in early 2014. The project is expected to take about two-and-a-half years to complete.
To help shape Sebastopol’s future,plan on participating!