Overview of the General Plan Update
The City of Rio Vista General Plan Update is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Rio Vista.
Rio Vista’s General Plan was last comprehensively updated in 2001. Since then, the City updated the Housing Element in 2014 as required by State law, and other elements of the General Plan have been modified through minor amendments.
This effort provides:
- a timely opportunity for the City to review the General Plan as a whole,
- reassess its effectiveness, and
- provide a framework for decision-makers to establish goals and policies that will guide Rio Vista in realizing its future vision.
During the updating process, the City will gather input from the public and stakeholders to consider many topics including land use, circulation, housing, safety, and downtown design elements. This process will ensure that Rio Vista continues to thrive and advance as a small city.
Share Your Voice
Provide feedback online. It’s easy!
Watch recordings of the first two community input meetings on our Youtube channel.
General Plan Working Group Meetings
| Regular Meeting February 8, 2024 | Agenda | Video | Presentation | |
| Regular Meeting January 11th, 2024 | Agenda | Video | ||
| Regular Meeting November 2, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting October 5, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting September 7, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting August 3, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| July Meeting Cancelled | ||||
| Regular Meeting June 1, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting May 4, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting April 6, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting March 2, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting February 2, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting December 1 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting November 3 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting October 20, 2022 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting September 15, 2022 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting July 7, 2022 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting May 5, 2022 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting April 07, 2022 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting Mar 03, 2022 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Regular Meeting Feb 03, 2022 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Joint Special Meeting Jan 25, 2022 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
| Regular Meeting Jan 06, 2022 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
| Amended Meeting Dec 09, 2021 | Agenda | Minutes | Video | Presentation |
General Plans focus on long-term goals and policies and looks at least 20 years into the future.
What is a General Plan?
The General Plan is a regulatory document that provides a framework for decision making by establishing goals and policies to guide a community in realizing its future vision.
California Government Code Section 65300 requires the legislative body of each city to adopt a comprehensive, long-term General Plan for the physical development of the community and provides a list of topics that must be addressed by the general plan.
City councils and planning commissions use the goals and policies of a General Plan to make decisions regarding land use, housing, mobility, infrastructure, and open space and recreation needs.
Timeline for Completion
The General Plan Update will take about 18 months from initiation to adoption. The following timeline shows the key tasks and milestones of the project:
- Background Analysis: Fall 2021-Winter 2022
- Listening & Visioning: Spring 2022
- Develop draft General Plan: Spring-Summer 2022
- Prepare Public Draft General Plan: Fall 2022-Winter 2023
- Review & Adopt General Plan: Spring-Summer 2023
What the General Plan Contains
General Plan Vision
The Rio Vista vision statement will serve as the foundation for all goals and policies contained within the General Plan. The vision serves as the “common ground” from which all decisions are made, and it identifies priority areas where resources should be focused to ensure that our City continues to be a great place to live, work, and play.
Land Use and Community Design
The Land Use and Community Design Element describes the proposed distribution and intensity of uses of the land for housing, business, industry, open spaces, natural resources, public facilities, and other categories of public and private use. For each type of land use, it establishes development criteria and standards, including building intensity and population density. In practice, it clarifies for residents and developers the City’s intentions for what lands will be developed, what uses will be located on those, and what lands will be preserved for their existing use.
Mobility and Circulation
The Mobility and Circulation Element identifies the location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, pedestrian connections, bicycle facilities, public transit facilities, and local public utilities and facilities. Strategies to reduce vehicle trips and lengths, and to promote non-motorized transportation alternatives are defined and seek improve livability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Housing
The Housing Element analyzes housing needs for all income groups and demonstrates how to meet those needs. The issues of housing availability and affordability in California have risen to the highest level of importance at a legislative level and local governments have a wide variety of responsibilities related to housing. State law requires that this element be revised every eight years, with the next deadline for completion in 2022. This element will be a priority during the General Plan Update.
Parks, Open Space, and Conservation
The Parks, Open Space, and Conservation Element provides a plan for the long-term preservation of open space and natural resources. It identifies measures for preserving open space for natural resources, for managing the production of resources, for outdoor recreation, and for public health and safety. This Element will also document existing and planned parks, community facilities, trails, assess deficiencies and opportunity areas, and identify strategies for maintenance and enhancement.
Noise
The Noise Element identifies and analyzes projected noise conditions in the community and includes measures to address potential noise levels.
Safety
The Safety Element defines a comprehensive strategy to reduce the short-term and long-term potential for harm from various threats to community health and safety, including seismic, geologic, flood, and wildfire hazards. This element will also address climate change adaptation and resiliency.
Public Facilities and Services
The Public Facilities and Services Element will provide guidance on the maintenance and planning for public facilities in the City, such as the fire station and library. It will also address required infrastructure including sewer, water, storm drainage, and communications.
Contact Information
Please contact us below with questions or comments.
