General Plan Update (GP 2020) Issues

The following is a preliminary list of issues, by General Plan Element, approved by the Board of Supervisors for consideration in GP 2020. This list is based upon the Status Report on the 1989 General Plan, comments received at the November 30, 2000 Planning Agency meeting on the General Plan Update, and other input from planning staff. These issues are those which are of continuing importance, have proven problematic under the existing plan, or which have arisen since adoption of the General Plan. In recognizing the preliminary nature of this list, the Board has directed that PRMD bring additional issues raised during the public outreach process to their attention for possible addition to the GP 2020 effort.

Land Use

• development of new population and employment projections
• mixed use in commercial/industrial areas
• updating of urban boundaries/rural communities where new wastewater systems may be needed
• subregional planning strategies
• certificates of compliance
• Coastal Plan update (surface runoff, public access, housing)
• timber harvesting in non-TPZ areas
• land use policies related to updated circulation element

Housing

• a full update of the Housing Element in order to meet court-mandated August 2001 deadline (already in progress)
• a review of the 2001 Element for General Plan internal consistency

Open Space

• updated standards for riparian corridors and critical habitat protection
• designation of additional streams and creeks as riparian corridors
• reevaluation of policies OS-1c and OS-2c, which allow for additional development within community separators and scenic landscape units, respectively
• evaluation of the need for additional recreational facilities
• strategies to help implement the Sonoma County Agriculture Preservation and Open Space District Acquisition Plan

Agriculture

• additional visitor serving and support uses on agricultural lands
• consideration of larger rural residential properties as an agricultural land use
• consider broadening agricultural protection and priority to include "AR" and/or "RRD" lands
• consideration of "warehousing" and agricultural support services as primary uses on agricultural lands

Resource Conservation

• updated air quality assessment, standards, and mitigation measures
• timberland conversions
• groundwater availability assessment and policies/procedures
• sedimentation and water quality issues (TMDLs, etc.)
• grading and erosion control and policies
• agriculture impacts on biotic resources and habitat
• endangered species issues
• wetlands policies

Public Safety

• update geologic, flooding, and fire safety data and appropriate policies

Circulation

• updated countywide assessment of current and projected future traffic conditions
• a new evaluation of improvement needs, traffic reduction measures, and funding opportunities
• updated Airport Industrial Area Specific Plan Circulation element
• right-of-way standards
• rail policy

Air Transportation

• conformity with new Comprehensive Airport Land Use Plan (CLUP)
• airport safety zone combining district

Public Facilities

• updated assessment of water and sewer service availability
• streamlining approval process for public facilities
• review policies for approval of Out-of- Service-Area agreements
• package treatment plants for private uses
• need for additional recreation facilities
• future landfill sites and waste management strategies

Noise

• updated noise assessment, standards, and policie