What is a General Plan?

California State law requires each city and county to prepare and adopt a comprehensive and long-range general plan (California Government Code Section 65300). A general plan is a comprehensive planning document that provides a city or county with a policy framework to guide decision-making related to land use, growth and development, safety, and open space conservation.  

To emphasize its importance, the general plan has been called the “constitution” for land use and development.  The general plan and its maps, diagrams, and development policies form the basis for the city’s zoning and subdivision ordinances and public works projects. The General Plan typically has a time horizon of about 20 years, giving the city an opportunity to think long-term about what it wishes to preserve and what it wishes to change.  Once a General Plan is adopted, it is used by the City Council, local commissions, and City Staff as they make day to day decisions about the community’s future.

By State law, the General Plan must address eight topic areas, called “elements.”  The mandatory elements are land use, transportation, housing, open space, conservation, safety, noise, and environmental justice.  Cities are also encouraged to adopt “optional” elements which reflect local issues, like air quality and economic development. The General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) will work with the public to determine which elements are appropriate for Lafayette’s General Plan update.