What is a General Plan?

A General Plan is a comprehensive document that establishes goals and policies to guide decision-makers and the community toward a thriving City. It is a long-term document that will consider the city's projected growth and development for the next 20 years and address topics such as housing, transportation, public safety, and more. The Plan includes ten elements, eight of which are mandated by the California Government Code: land use, circulation, housing, open space, conservation, safety, noise, environmental justice, design, and economic development.

The City's last General Plan was adopted on January 25, 2005, and has a horizon year of 2025. This new update will create the vision through 2045.

Separately, the Housing Element of the current General Plan has been periodically updated since 2005, with the last update being completed in 2022 for the period of 2021 through 2029.

Why is a General Plan Important?

• Community Engagement: The planning process involves input from residents, stakeholders, and local organizations, fostering a sense of community ownership and collaboration.
• Development: It provides a framework for decision-making, helping city officials, developers, and residents understand the priorities and standards for growth.
• Sustainability: A well-crafted general plan promotes sustainable practices, balancing economic growth with environmental change to create a resilient community.
• Long-term Vision: It helps the city anticipate future challenges and opportunities, ensuring that growth is managed thoughtfully and strategically.

How to get involved?

The city will be hosting a series of workshops and surveys to hear from the community in the near future. Check back in for workshop dates and surveys; we encourage all residents to participate!

What have we done so far?

The City of Downey has prepared a Housing Element update for State Certification. On October 22, 2022, the City received its certification from Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the 6^th cycle and was allocated to accommodate approximately 6,500 new residential developments over the eight years. The city is currently in its implementation phase, which will rezone sites, revise development standards, create Objective Design Standards (ODS), and amend other zoning regulations for housing. Please visit the Housing Element Implementation for more info.

PROJECT TIMELINE