For the Planning Commission Meeting of September 18th, 2024
TO: Honorable Chairman and Planning Commissioners
APPROVAL: Colby Cataldi, Director of Community Development
FROM : Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
Title
Request the Planning Commission forward a recommendation to the City Council on the focused General Plan Update (GPA) No. 2023-001 for the amended Land Use Element, Safety Element, Circulation Element and new Environmental Justice Elements and Environmental Assessment Review (EAR) No. 2023-017.
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BACKGROUND:
The General Plan is a policy document approved by the City Council to guide future development within the City. The General Plan is comprised of a minimum of seven (7) elements required by the State of California which include Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Noise, and Safety.
The Environmental Justice Element is a new element required of the City of Rialto to be added to the General Plan. Environmental Justice is defined by the state as "the fair treatment of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies."
Initiation of the Focused General Plan Update
On June 23, 2020, at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting, the Council authorized submittal of a Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grant to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for multiple projects including a focused General Plan Update. In December 2022, the City initiated the focused General Plan Update portion of the grant and awarded a professional services agreement to the consulting firm Dudek.
The focused General Plan Update includes amendments to three (3) elements and the creation of a new element (Environmental Justice):
* The Land Use Element was updated to retain consistency with Housing, Safety, and the new Environmental Justice Elements.
* The Safety Element was updated to meet certain laws related to ...
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