Outstanding general plans and what we can learn from them Best Practices for Better Plans California Planning Roundtable November, 2008

What makes an outstanding general plan? An outstanding general plan: Focuses on the person and community Focuses on the person and community Addresses real needs of real people Addresses real needs of real people Captures the unique essence of place Captures the unique essence of place Uses the skills of journalism to transform a technical document into a popular one Uses the skills of journalism to transform a technical document into a popular one Connects to the broad continuum of community history and culture Connects to the broad continuum of community history and culture

Best practices: engagement Do it early and often Do it early and often Use all forms, structured and unstructured Use all forms, structured and unstructured Use electronic media and technology Use electronic media and technology Design events for the broadest of audiences, incoporating age, allegiances, economic status; recognize the diversity of audiences served Design events for the broadest of audiences, incoporating age, allegiances, economic status; recognize the diversity of audiences served Apply creativity Apply creativity Think through all potential scenarios Think through all potential scenarios

Best practices: content Use data wisely, but never let data overwhelm the message (Sierra Business Council) Use data wisely, but never let data overwhelm the message (Sierra Business Council) Avoid weasel words: say what you mean and mean what you say (Sierra Business Council) Avoid weasel words: say what you mean and mean what you say (Sierra Business Council) Remember: Every exercise is an opportunity to build -- or lose – credibility Remember: Every exercise is an opportunity to build -- or lose – credibility Explain the unexplainable in plain, clear language (SF Bay Waterfront Plan) Explain the unexplainable in plain, clear language (SF Bay Waterfront Plan)

A survey of recent award-winning general plans 2008 Marin Countywide Plan* Marin Countywide Plan* Riverside General Plan 2025 Riverside General Plan 2025 Lincoln General Plan 2050 Lincoln General Plan Ventura General Plan* Ventura General Plan* Claremont General Plan* Claremont General Plan* Sacramento General Plan* Sacramento General Plan* *Specific content regarding sustainability

Other award winners of the decade 2005 West Fresno Vision Plan West Fresno Vision Plan2004 Coyote Valley Vision Plan Coyote Valley Vision Plan Brea General Plan Update Brea General Plan Update Ingredients for Success, San Gabriel General Plan Update Ingredients for Success, San Gabriel General Plan Update2003 City of San Diego Strategic Framework (“City of Villages”) City of San Diego Strategic Framework (“City of Villages”) Farmersville General Plan Update Farmersville General Plan Update2002 Common Ground (SG/LLR Mountains Conservancy) Common Ground (SG/LLR Mountains Conservancy) San Leandro General Plan San Leandro General Plan

Classics: Learn lessons from these outstanding plans Sierra Business Council. Planning for Prosperity: Building Successful Communities in the Sierra Nevada, Winner of APA Daniel Burnham Award. Based on 16 straightforward principles that form the structure of the plan’s chapters. Sierra Business Council. Planning for Prosperity: Building Successful Communities in the Sierra Nevada, Winner of APA Daniel Burnham Award. Based on 16 straightforward principles that form the structure of the plan’s chapters. Port of San Francisco. Waterfront Land Use Plan, Great user guides to show people how the plan serves their interests and needs. Port of San Francisco. Waterfront Land Use Plan, Great user guides to show people how the plan serves their interests and needs.