Archived News Release from 2006

For Immediate Release

Planning Commission Schedules General Plan Public Hearing; Topic: Open Space & Conservation

Redwood City , CA – The Redwood City Planning Commission invites the community to participate in shaping the future of our community, as part of the General Plan Update. On June 6 th, 2006 at 7 pm in the Council Chambers in City Hall (1017 Middlefield Road), the Planning Commission will discuss and take public testimony on two key elements of the General Plan: Open Space, and Conservation. These are two of the seven mandatory elements of the General Plan, which can also include other optional elements. Over the next several months, all of the Elements will be discussed at public meetings.

The Open Space Element guides the comprehensive and long-range preservation and conservation of open space land. Open Space can be classified into six basic categories: Active Parkland, Social Spaces, Community Gardens, Trail-Oriented Recreation, and Water-oriented Open Space.

The Conservation Element provides direction regarding the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources. It somewhat overlaps with the Open Space Element, but the Conservation Element is distinguished by being primarily oriented toward natural resources.

This is all part of the Update of Redwood City’s General Plan – the document which lays the foundation for the long-term physical development of our community.

The community is encouraged to attend the June 6 th Planning Commission meeting, to comment on the Open Space and Conservation Elements of the General Plan, and help the City to create a blueprint for what our community will be like in the next 20 years. Details on the General Plan Update are available online.

In 2004/2005, the Planning Commission held eight public workshops in various areas of the community, to gain an understanding of the community’s desires for the future development of our City. Earlier this year, the Commission adopted the Guiding Principles that resulted from all of the direct community input from those workshops. Then, at a unique ‘story telling’ workshop in May, the Commission discussed a Vision for Redwood City’s future, as a further reflection of the community’s expressed desires.

The need for the community’s direct involvement is even more critical as the Commission begins discussions of the various elements of the General Plan – the specific details that will guide the City’s future development.

Visit Redwood City’s award-winning website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and City government. View a variety of City webcams at www.redwoodcity.org/webcam, and s ubscribe to Redwood City's email newsletter by sending an email to e-news@redwoodcity.org

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Contact:
Tom Passanisi
Senior Planner
(650) 780–7234