1. What is a General Plan?

A General Plan is a long-range planning document that addresses the key factors for a well-functioning community.  The General Plan is a community’s vision of its shared future.  It provides the blueprint for development throughout the community, and addresses all aspects of development, including housing, traffic, natural resources, open space, safety, land uses, and public facilities.  These policies are then translated into implementation tools, such as land use standards, rehabilitation programs, and beautification plans, to mention a few.  Under State law, a city’s general plan must include a statement of the City’s development policies and must include diagrams and text establishing objectives, principles, standards, and plan proposals.

2. Why does the General Plan need to be updated?

The Twentynine Palms General Plan needs to be updated because the current General Plan has outdated information, projections, and policy direction. The update will help the community guide future development for the next 15 – 20 years. The General Plan update process will provide the community with an opportunity to evaluate the existing plan and update its policies, where necessary, in order to adequately meet the future needs of the community.  Furthermore, state law requires that General Plans be updated periodically.  In addition, the state requires Housing Elements to be updated every five (5) years.

3. How long will it take to update the General Plan?

The General Plan Update is expected to take approximately 18 months, including adoption by the City Council.

4. What's covered in the General Plan?

State law requires seven specific elements be addressed in a city’s general plan.  These include land use, circulation, housing, safety, conservation, open space, and noise.

Land Use – The Land Use Element identifies the proposed distribution and intensity of land uses in the City, including residential, commercial/retail, industrial, open space, public facilities, and others.

Circulation – The Circulation Element identifies the location of existing and proposed major roads, transportation routes, and other local public utilities.

Housing – The Housing Element identifies and analyzes existing and projected housing needs and it includes a statement of goals, policies, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing.

Safety – The Safety Element establishes policies and programs to protect the community from risks associated with seismic, geologic, flood, and fire hazards.

Conservation – The Conservation Element addresses the identification, conservation, and use of natural resources.

Open Space – The Open Space Element is the plan for long-range development and preservation of open space land.

Noise – The Noise Element identifies and evaluates noise levels in the city, particularly from roadways, industrial plants, and other major noise sources, and helps to protect uses in the community that are sensitive to noise impacts.

In addition to the required elements, the Twentynine Palms General Plan Update will also include a Recreation Element, which will address the need for parks and other recreational facilities and programs in the City.

5. Where can I find a copy of the City’s existing General Plan?

A copy of the City’s existing General Plan can be downloaded here or can be obtained at the City’s Community Development Department located at 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, California.

6. How can the community get involved?

There will be several different outreach measures for the General Plan Update, which will help in obtaining direct input from the community; these measures include a community survey, stakeholder interviews, the formation of a General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), community workshops, public hearings, general plan newsletters, and a general plan website.  The community outreach will serve to obtain information related to issues and concerns in the community.  With the community’s input, goals and policies for the General Plan will be developed.  The General Plan Update website will be updated periodically to ensure that the community is aware of upcoming events, such as community workshops, General Plan Advisory Committee meetings, and public hearings.  Documents available for public review will also be posted on the General Plan Update website.  All General Plan documents and information will also be available at the City’s Community Development Department located at 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, California.

7. Who will be assisting the City with the preparation of the General Plan Update?

The residents of Twentynine Palms will play a vital role in assisting the City with the preparation of the General Plan Update.  City staff will work closely with community residents, stakeholders, the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), the Planning Commission, and the City Council to ensure that community issues are being address through the General Plan Update process.  The City has also hired Hogle-Ireland, Inc., a land planning and development consulting firm, to assist with the preparation of the General Plan Update.  Hogle-Ireland will assist the City by providing expertise and staff to ensure that the General Plan addresses community issues, represents the community's shared vision, is completed on a timely manner, and is prepared adequately as required by state law.