City of La Verne General Plan and Zoning Ordinance Update

Summary

SCH Number

2023040002

Lead Agency

City of La Verne

Document Title

City of La Verne General Plan and Zoning Ordinance Update

Document Type

NOP - Notice of Preparation of a Draft EIR

Received

4/3/2023

Present Land Use

Various residential and non-residential

Document Description

State law requires the City to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of its planning area. The General Plan must include land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, air quality, noise, safety, and environmental justice elements, as specified in Government Code Section 65302, to the extent that the issues identified by State law exist in the City’s planning area; the City of La Verne is not required to prepare an environmental justice element. The City’s 2021-2029 Housing Element was adopted on November 21, 2022 and is not part of this update. Additional elements that relate to the physical development of the City may also be addressed in the General Plan. The degree of specificity and level of detail of the discussion of each General Plan Element need only reflect local conditions and circumstances. The City of La Verne is preparing a comprehensive update to its existing General Plan. The General Plan is being prepared to address the requirements of State law and the relevant items addressed in Government Code Section 65300 et seq. The La Verne General Plan will include all of the State-mandated elements, and will address five optional topics: Community Design, Community Services and Facilities, Economic Development, Fiscal Sustainability, and Health and Wellness.
The updated La Verne General Plan is expected to be adopted in 2024 and will guide the City’s development and conservation through land use objectives and policy guidance. The General Plan is intended to be an expression of the community’s vision for the City and Planning Area and constitutes the policy and regulatory framework by which future development projects will be reviewed and public improvements will be implemented. The La Verne General Plan will include a comprehensive set of goals, policies, and actions (implementation measures), as well as a revised Land Use Map (Figure 3). The revisions to the Land Use Map will include simplifying how Specific Plans are shown on the map through utilization of the new Specific Plan – Residential and Specific Plan – Mixed-Use land use designations and various other updates to reflect amendments to the land use map reviewed and approved since the last comprehensive update. A new Very High Density Residential land use category allowing for up to 32 dwelling units per acre will also be provided for potential future development. The City will implement the General Plan by requiring development, infrastructure improvements, and other projects to be consistent with its policies and by implementing the actions included in the General Plan.
A goal in the General Plan is the broadest statement of community values. It is a generalized ideal which provides a sense of direction for action. They are overall statements of desired future conditions. The essence of the General Plan is contained within its policies. Policies are statements which further refine the goals, and guide the course of action the City must take to achieve the goals in the General Plan. It is important to note that policies are guides for decision makers, not decisions themselves. Action items are steps or actions the City should take to implement the General Plan.
The La Verne General Plan Update is intended to reflect the desires and vision of La Verne residents, businesses, the Planning Commission, and City Council. The following objectives were identified for the proposed update to the General Plan:
1. Reflect the current goals and vision and address issues and concerns expressed by city residents, businesses, decision-makers, and other stakeholders;
2. Celebrate La Verne’s family-oriented environment, character, and sense of community;
3. Provide a range of high-quality housing options;
4. Accommodate new growth around the future Metro L Line Station and along the community’s transportation corridors;
5. Support the initiatives of community partners including the University of La Verne;
6. Attract and retain businesses and industries that provide high-quality and high-paying jobs so that residents can live and work in La Verne;
7. Expand retail opportunities to provide better local services and increased sales tax revenues;
8. Continue to maintain the road network and improve active transportation opportunities;
9. Maintain strong fiscal sustainability and continue to provide efficient and adequate public services; and
10. Address new requirements of State law.
The City’s Zoning Ordinance, codified in Title 18, Zoning of the City of La Verne Municipal Code, is to designate and regulate, the best location, use and design of buildings, structures and land for residence, commerce, trade, industry, water conservation, environmental preservation, or other purposes in appropriate places and in accordance with the La Verne General Plan. The City’s Zoning Ordinance is the tool for implementing the City General Plan, and by State law, must be consistent with the General Plan. Thus, the Zoning Ordinance update revisions will ensure consistency with the revised General Plan.

Contact Information

Name

Candice E Bowcock

Agency Name

City of La Verne

Job Title

Principal Planner

Contact Types

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant

Address

3660 D Street
La Verne, CA 91750

Phone

(909) 596-8706

Email

cbowcock@cityoflaverne.org

Location

Cities

La Verne

Counties

Los Angeles

Regions

Citywide

Cross Streets

Entire City of La Verne

Zip

91750

Total Acres

6,950

Parcel #