1. Gonzales General Plan Joint GUSD Board & City Council Presentation March 28, 2016
Rene Mendez, City Manager
Thomas Truszkowski, Deputy City Manager/
Director of Community Development

2. Overview City of Gonzales General Plan State Mandate and Importance
Purpose
City’s Official Policy Statement for the Use of Land
General Plan Objectives
General Plan Elements
Proposed New General Plan Elements
Conclusion

3. General Plan: Why & What?
State Law Requires that each California City and County Prepare a General Plan.
A General Plan is Defined as “A Comprehensive Long-term Plan that Guides the Physical Development of a City or County”.
A General Plan includes a Statement of Community Priorities and Values, which are presented as Goals, Polices and Implementation Measures that are used to Guide Public decision-making.

4. General Plan: Purpose
The California Supreme Court has held that the General Plan is “the Constitution for all Future Development”.
Just as all of our Nations Laws have a Foundation in the U.S. Constitution, all Land Use Actions taken by a City or County (e.g., Approval of a Development Plan, Housing, Roadway, Park, Open Space Area) must be Consistent with the Goals and Policies of the General Plan.

5. City of Gonzales General Plan
City’s Official Policy Statement for the Use of Land, which Provides the Basis of Future Decisions Regarding the City’s Growth and Development.

6. City’s General Plan: Objectives
Diverse, Self Sustaining Local Economy;
Long-term Vision;
Small-town Characteristics;
Discouragement of Suburban Sprawl;
Protection of Best Agricultural Land;
Sustainability;
Natural Environment; and
Competitive Development Environment.

7. City’s General Plan: Elements
Land Use
Circulation
Housing
Community Health and Safety
Conservation & Open Space
Community Services and Facilities
Community Character
Sustainability

8. City’s General Plan: New Elements
Education
Health
To Assist with the Development of this Element, Staff will be Recommending to the Council on April 4th, Jointly Sponsoring with the Monterey County Healt Department’s Planning, Evaluation, and Policty Unit (PEP) of a Healthy Equity Fellow.
The Fellow will Assist with Applying the Health in All Policies (HiAP) Strategy to the Update of the Gonzales General Plan, and Other Appropriate Opportunities to Address Health and Equity for Gonzales Residents and Other Community Members.

9. City’s General Plan: Health Element
Innovation Continues for the Betterment of the Community:
If Approved, the Health Equity Fellow will be a Ground-breaking Partnership; as it would be the First Time for a Position to be Co-created, Funded and Managed between the City of Gonzales and the Monterey County Health Department.

10. City General Plan: Relevancy?
If Done Correctly, it Results in the Housing, Community Amenities, Jobs, Public Facilities, Open Space and Parks, Schools, Etc., Necessary to:
Grow in a Healthy, Vibrant, Balanced and Sustainable Manner, which is Essential for Productive, Engaged and Successful Children, Families and Community Members.