Redlands 2035 General Plan Has Themes, Vision, and Topics

Committee members and the public have created the 2035 Redlands General Plan themes, a vision and topics. The City Council approved them after holding a public hearing on Dec. 15. A general plan is a long-term document consisting of text and maps that expresses how a community should develop. The plan is the basis for detailed development regulations in the Zoning Ordinance and decisions by policymakers on public improvements and private developments. All cities and counties in California are required by law to have general plans. Redlands updated General Plan will have to address issues spanning all aspects of life in the city. These include, but are not limited to: • Managing Redlands future growth. • Revitalizing Downtown. • Attracting high quality businesses. • Housing and jobs around Transit Villages. • Addressing areas that are transitioning in character and those showing signs of decline. • Protecting natural resources. • Promoting high quality design of buildings and public spaces. • Maintaining public safety and municipal services. Finally, the updated General Plan must be crafted in a way that is clear and easy to use, and can be efficiently revised to incorporate future updates and amendments. The new City of Redlands vision reads “We envision Redlands as a distinctive city characterized by its ‘small town feeling’ and cultural richness; whose citizens enjoy a liveable, healthy and sustainable community and a prosperous economy.” The themes of the updated General Plan include: • “A distinctive city.” • “A liveable community.” • “A healthy natural environment.” • “A sustainable community.” • “A connected city.” • “A healthy community.” • “A prosperous economy.” The updated General Plan also addresses topics such as small-town feeling and historic resources. Other key topics include: • Vibrant downtown. • Community airport. • Strong neighborhoods. • Transit oriented development. • United city. • Equity and equality in services. • Emerald necklace. • Energy efficiency. • Connectivity. • Active lifestyle. • Safety. • Tourism. • Land use. The City of Redlands has accomplished a great deal since the adoption of the existing General Plan over 20 years ago. Today, the City of Redlands is known for its unique and historic character, high quality of life, and enviable environment. Successful planning efforts have resulted in the development and preservation of highly desirable neighborhoods. Combined with its distinctive community character and small-town ambiance, Redlands is a great place to live, work, and play. The General Plan update will maintain these positive qualities moving forward. The General Plan Steering Committee developed the themes, topics and vision for the plan. These become guides for future development, housing, open-space conservation, transportation improvements and expansion of parks and trails. The General Plan Steering Committee (GPSC) serves in an advisory role to the Planning Commission and City Council. It brings perspectives from different disciplines and areas of the Planning Area and will provide input on the project throughout the process. The public is welcome to observe GPSC meetings to learn more about the process. Meetings will be scheduled throughout the planning process. No meetings have been scheduled for 2016 as of yet. GPSC City Representatives are: • City Council, Mayor Pro Tempore, Jon Harrison. • City Council, Council Member, John James. • Planning Commission, Chairwoman, Carol Dyer. • Planning Commission, Vice Chair, Ken Jeske. • Planning Commission, Patrick Wallis, (Alternate). GPSC Discipline Area Representatives are: • Arts & Culture, Dennis Christensen. • Arts & Culture, alternate, Janet Korfmacher. • Business/Real Estate, Patrick Meyer. • Business/Real Estate, alternate, J. Montgomery Dill. • Education, Kenneth Morse Jr. • Education, alternate, Reyes Quezada. • Historic Resources, Terry Vines Jr. • Historic Resources, Donn Grenda. • Open Space & Agriculture, Sherli Leonard. • Open Space & Agriculture, alternate, Shellie Zias-Roe. • Parks & Trails, Roy Cencirulo. • Parks & Trails, alternate, Joe Gonzales. GPSC Planning Area Representatives include: • Downtown, Eric Shamp. • Dowtown, alternate, John Montgomery. • The Colony, Ruth Cook. • The Colony, alternate, Daniel Cozad. • Lugonia, Christine Roque. • Lugonia, alternate, Andrea Nieman. • Highland-Canyons, Shirley Harry. • Highland, alternate, Michael Gallagher. • West End, Anna Marie Jaiswal. • West End, alternate, Gary Miller. • University District, Deborah Forthun. • University Disrict, alternate, Judith Ashton. • East Valley, Rosa Gomez. • East Valley, alternate Steven Wash • Mentone, Jordan Henk. • Mentone, alternate, John Holland. • Crafton, Robert Knight. The City has an extensive steering committee with representatives from each area of the city with plenty diverse opinions. The themes will serve as the primary organizing principles for the plan, which will include elements required by the state. The themes will support the vision statement and encompass other topics associated with the themes, according to the city staff report. Phases have been announced for the planning process with opportunities for the public to participate throughout.