General Plan Update

California state law requires each city and county to develop and adopt a General Plan. The General Plan serves as the local government’s comprehensive framework for future growth and development. It represents the collective vision and development intentions of the community. The Plan outlines goals and policies that guide municipal decision-making. 

The General Plan is made up of different sections called “elements.” There are nine mandatory elements that all General Plans must include: Land Use, Conservation, Noise, Environmental Justice, Circulation, Open Space, Safety, Air Quality, and Housing. Communities have the flexibility to incorporate other elements pertinent to local concerns such as Economic Development. The arrangement of these elements is at the discretion of the community, provided that all mandatory elements are adequately addressed. 

De Novo Planning Group was enlisted to assess the City’s existing General Plan with the goal of aiding the City in determining the appropriate scope of work and strategies for a comprehensive update. The resulting strategy report, dated June 29, 2023, outlines the evaluation of the current General Plan, considering recent legislative mandates and the specific goals and objectives articulated by the Council, Planning Commission, and stakeholders. 

The Housing Element is a crucial component of the General Plan. It serves as the City’s principal guide for housing programs and strategies to address housing needs. The Housing Element must be updated every eight years and is subject to detailed statutory requirements and mandatory review by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Clovis is in the midst of updating its 6th cycle Housing Element for the years 2023-2031. The City is actively working towards obtaining certification from HCD.