Council Approves $300,000 For General Plan Update

The approved $300,000 in initial funding to begin the city's General Plan update in a 7-0 vote, which also encompassed approving work for city staff to conduct the update and to prepare a revision to the fee ordinance.

The revised fee will establish a surcharge on identified planning, engineering and building permits to provide funding for specific long range planning activities included in the update.

Staff informed the council that conducting a General Plan update now is appropriate for the city. Gilroy's current General Plan was adopted in 2002, and although it's not required, the state recommends cities update their General Plans every 10 years to reflect changes in the community and to modify the plan to ensure it remains effective in its objectives.

Gilroy's population has reportedly grown by almost 10,000 since 2002, subsequently leading to new residential and non-residential development, among other changes, to the city. Projections show that by 2035, the city's population will reach 69,600, requiring 26,350 more jobs.

With a larger population, things like facilities, services and the environment will be impacted, staff reported. Changes in statewide legislation also serve as motivation for the city to conduct an update.

Performing a General Plan update during an economic downtown is a good time to do so because there's reportedly less pressure from development interests.

The entire update is expected to take two years to complete and cost over $1 million to complete.

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