HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2026-04-28_09d General Plan Update Progress ReportItem 9.d.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Perez, Interim Director of Community Development
SUBJECT: General Plan Update Progress Report – April 2026
DATE: April 28, 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
The financial and personnel impacts associated with this progress report are included in
the budget for the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
BACKGROUND:
The last progress report was provided for the City Council on March 24, 20261. That report
described the direction provided by the Council during the study session held on February
24, 20262, and updates on the progress of the preparation of the Environmental Impact
Report and the Climate Action Plan.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
Council’s direction provided during the study session resulted in revisions to policies and
implementation programs proposed in the General Plan. The direction also resulted in the
creation of new policies and programs. Text amendments and clerical edits were also
completed. These revisions to the Preliminary Public Draft General Plan were completed
in early April. The product of those revisions is the Public Draft General Plan3, which was
published on April 16, 2026. The public was notified about the publication of the Public
Draft via social media posts and a spotlight on the City’s website. Additionally, those who
are subscribed to receive project updates received an email announcing the release of
the Public Draft. The Public Draft is also routed to outside agencies for a 45-day comment
period, pursuant to Government Code Section 65352. These agencies include
1 https://pub-arroyogrande.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=18282
2https://pub-arroyogrande.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=661c1650-22a5-4167-91df-
42e815675b95&lang=English&Agenda=Agenda&Item=35&Tab=attachments
3https://planarroyogrande.com/images/AGGPU_PRD_Full_CLEAN_reduced2_2026%2004%2015%20NZ
.pdf
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Item 9.d.
City Council
General Plan Update Progress Report – April 2026
April 28, 2026
Page 2
neighboring cities, San Luis Obispo County, Lucia Mar Unified School District, and Local
Agency Formation Commission.
Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Following the release of the Notice of Preparation (NOP) in March, which informs the
public and outside agencies the City is preparing an EIR, a scoping meeting was held on
Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The purpose of both the NOP and the scoping meeting is to give
the public and outside agencies an opportunity to identify areas of particular concern that
should be addressed in the EIR. The public comment period following the release of the
NOP ended on April 24, 2026.
Simultaneously, preparation of the EIR is underway. The EIR will describe and analyze
the potential significant environmental impacts associated with the comprehensive
update of the General Plan. Where significant impacts are anticipated, the EIR will include
measures to mitigate or avoid those significant impacts. The public review draft of the EIR
is scheduled to be released for review and comments in July.
Climate Action Plan (CAP)
Preparation of the CAP is also underway. Outreach activities and engagement with the
public will occur in early May. The objective of the engagement with the community is to
determine the greenhouse reduction measures that are most likely to be suppo rted by
residents to achieve the desired outcome of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the
city. The public engagement activities will include pop-ups at local events, such as
Farmer’s Market, and an online survey, to increase accessibility and participa tion.
Schedule and Next Steps
Another study session with the City Council is scheduled for June 23, 2026. Staff will
describe how Council direction from the February study session was incorporated into the
General Plan. By that date, staff also anticipates being in receipt of additional comments
from the public and those outside agencies. Staff will also have recommendations for
responding to those comments for Council’s consideration at the study session. With
support from the Council, the General Plan will be finalized and ready for adoption,
pending the completion of the EIR.
City Council is authorized to adopt the General Plan Update after receiving a
recommendation from the Planning Commission. The recommendation hearing with
Planning Commission is scheduled for October. A public hearing with City Council to
consider adoption of the General Plan Update would occur in November.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Receive and file this progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update;
or
2. Provide other direction to staff.
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Item 9.d.
City Council
General Plan Update Progress Report – April 2026
April 28, 2026
Page 3
ADVANTAGES:
Regular updates to the City Council will inform decision -makers and the community on
the status of the project.
DISADVANTAGES:
None identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required to receive and file this progress report on the General
Plan Update because it has no potential to result in either a direct, or reasonably
foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines, Cal.
Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.)
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
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