Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. What is a General Plan?

The General Plan is the City of Mountain View’s blueprint for the future; it is a guide for the City that includes all of the aspects essential to creating a thriving and well-balanced community.

As a long-range policy document, the General Plan addresses land use, circulation and mobility, housing public safety, natural resource conservation, open space and noise. The General Plan also establishes future growth and land use development goals and policies for the City.

The State of California requires every city and county to have a general plan to guide its future growth. The Existing City of Mountain View General Plan can be found here: Mountain View General Plan 1992. 

 

2. Why update the General Plan?

The General Plan was last updated in 1992, and much has changed in Mountain View over the last 16 years! The General Plan update will provide the City with goals and policies that more accurately reflect shared community values, potential change areas, and compliance with state law and local ordinances. The update will also provide a guide for future land use decisions.

The City of Mountain View's General Plan Update began with a visioning process in the summer of 2008, during which community members engaged in discussions about a common vision for the future of the city and how to best direct and design growth and development to achieve the community vision.

3. How will the City use the community's feedback?

Feedback from community workshops, targeted outreach meetings and key information from existing City policy documents and other initiatives are informing development of a draft General Plan policy framework, future land use, and policies for the City for Mountain View.

Input from Spring and Fall 2009 outreach informed development of draft General Plan land use options.  These options were analyzed in Winter 2009 relative to technical factors.  The draft land use options and assessments will be presented to the PAC/EPC and City Council at a joint session in February 2010. 

Options will also be displayed at City Hall in February 2010 for public review. A preferred land use option will be identified and adopted by April 2010.

 

4. How do I stay involved and receive updates about the project?

To stay involved in the General Plan update process, send us your comments or sign up to receive email updates.

 

5. What is the difference between General Plan policies and zoning regulations?

As a long-range planning document, the General Plan outlines long-term visions, policies, and actions designed to shape future development within Mountain View. The Zoning Ordinance serves as an implementing tool for the General Plan by establishing detailed, parcel-specific development regulations and standards in each area of the City. 

Although the two are distinct documents, the Mountain View General Plan and Zoning Ordinance are closely related, and State law mandates that zoning regulations be consistent with the General Plan maps and policies. 

 

6. What related planning efforts are currently underway in Mountain View?

Grand Boulevard Initiative:
The Grand Boulevard Initiative is a collaboration of 19 cities, counties, local and regional agencies, and Caltrans to improve and revitalize the length of El Camino Real. The initiative brings together agencies that have a stake in improving the street, including the City of Mountain View. A set of guiding principles established through the Grand Boulevard Initiative has been adopted by the City. 

Mountain View Pedestrian Master Plan:
The City and Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc. are in the initial stages of developing a Pedestrian Master Plan (PMP). The goal is to create a PMP that will result in improved community health, reduced traffic congestion, higher transit usage, greater pedestrian safety, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower cost of living for residents and more vibrant neighborhoods. The PMP is anticipated to be completed in December 2010. 

Climate Action Plan:
The City of Mountain View is currently developing a Climate Action Plan to measure, monitor and mitigate the effects of climate change in the City. The plan will present a series of goals, policies, and actions to address everything from emissions to waste disposal to climate-supportive land uses. The Climate Action Plan will be closely coordinated with the new General Plan to ensure that all policies are consistent.

Visit the Mountain View website for more information on climate planning in the City.

Mountain View General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report (EIR):
The environmental review of the new General Plan will begin in 2010 after the preferred land use alternative has been selected. The EIR process will assess any environmental effects that may be associated with implementation of the new General Plan, and will identify mitigations or other changes that will address these concerns.

Stay tuned for updated information on the EIR process, including opportunities to comment on the draft EIR, as the General Plan update progresses.

Other Regional Resources and Events
There are a number of agencies and organizations that sponsor public forums and events focusing on key regional planning issues. These same groups also frequently involve members of the public in important planning-related decisions. Visit resources and regional events for more information.