FAQ
What is a General Plan?
California law requires each City and County to adopt a comprehensive long-term general plan for its physical development and update it periodically. A City's General Plan is its blueprint for the future and, through appropriate goals, policies, and programs, it serves as a decision-making tool to guide future growth and development. It addresses issues that impact the entire city, such as how land is used, where buildings are built, the locations of roads and parks, how to keep the City safe and resilient. All city plans, zoning, and private development must be consistent with the diagrams and policies in the General Plan.
Why is the City updating it's General Plan?
The City of Laguna Niguel's first General Plan was prepared and adopted in 1992. Except for the Housing and Land Use Elements, most of the elements are original per the 1992 adoption. Pursuant to the 2023 iteration of the Laguna Niguel Strategic Plan, Goal #5: Economic and Community Development, Strategy 3, a comprehensive update of the City's General Plan is identified as an action item to be completed between Fiscal Years 2021-2025.
The City's General Plan Update process includes a two-phased approach. Phase 1 of the Update included a baseline evaluation of the existing General Plan, and the preparation of focused and detailed studies assessing traffic, market, and fiscal conditions. Phase 2 of the Update includes community outreach and preparation of the updated General Plan document, Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR), and associated technical documents.
What is included in the General Plan Update project?
The General Plan Update work program entails preparation of a variety of important plans and reports that will guide the City through 2045. These include:
Existing Conditions Report – The Existing Conditions Report will describe current conditions and regulations affecting the City associated with land use and growth, circulation and mobility, market trends, historic resources, community services and facilities, conservation, climate change, safety and noise, and environmental justice. The Existing Conditions Report is prepared early in the process and serves as a resource to City decision-makers, the public, City staff, and the consultant team throughout the project.
Vision Plan - The Vision Plan will establish a set of clear community values and priorities and establish a long-term vision for the City that will serve as the cornerstone of the General Plan Policy Document.
The General Plan - The General Plan document will address all State-required General Plan topics (see below) and other topics of local importance, such as economic development.
Environmental Impact Report – An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be prepared to address all potential environmental impacts associated with implementation of the General Plan. The EIR will serve as a “tiering document” to facilitate streamlined environmental review of subsequent development, planning, and infrastructure projects undertaken in the City that are consistent with the General Plan.
What topics are addressed in the General Plan?
General Plans are divided into “elements” (i.e., chapters) based on specific topics. There are seven mandatory elements that Laguna Niguel must include in its General Plan: land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, safety, and noise. Local governments can organize and format their General Plans however they desire, as long as the required elements are addressed. Cities can also choose to include additional elements at their discretion. Each element of the General Plan will also include specific short-, medium- and long-term steps to implement its goals and policies.
What is the schedule for the General Plan Update?
Phase 1 of the General Plan Update, which included a baseline evaluation of the existing General Plan, and the preparation of focused and detailed studies assessing traffic, market, and fiscal conditions, was completed between 2021 and 2023. Phase 2 of the Update began in mid-2023 and is expected to take approximately two years (concluding in late 2025). During the first year of Phase 2, the team will continue to evaluate existing conditions, identify and record community priorities through a community outreach program, and draft the General Plan policy document. During the second year of Phase 2, the team will evaluate the General Plan and prepare a PEIR to analyze and address potential environmental impacts associated with the Plan.
How can I get involved?
The General Plan Update process provides an opportunity for community members to discuss and weigh-in on the City’s future. We encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities to participate, including visiting a pop-up event, attending an open house, and completing online surveys.
In order to collect community input in an open, engaging, and actionable way, the City has designed a series of community events where you will have the opportunity to participate in and be informed of the planning process. These include:
Open House – An open house will be held in the fall of 2023 to introduce the community to the project and to provide an opportunity for the community to identify their vision, goals and priorities, and land use and transportation preferences for the General Plan Update. The date and details of the open house will be posted to this website, under the Get Involved tab.
Stakeholder Interviews – Interviews of groups and organizations that represent various local and regional issues that affect Laguna Niguel will be conducted to ensure that a broad range of perspectives are included early in the General Plan Update process. Feedback collected during this stage will be subject to additional input from the broader community.
Community Surveys and Polls – The City will conduct surveys (hard-copy and digital) to provide additional opportunities for members of the public to provide input on key issues, and give feedback to the City as draft documents are completed.
Public Review Draft General Plan – The Public Review Draft General Plan and Environmental Impact Report will be made available to the entire community for review and feedback before the plan is finalized.
Planning Commission and City Council Hearings – The City will conduct public hearings and study sessions before the Planning Commission and City Council to consider the update to the General Plan.
Why should I get involved?
The City of Laguna Niguel is committed to involving the community in the planning process including residents, businesses, and interested parties. A successful General Plan will reflect the community’s vision and priorities, and we believe that your voice is vital to producing a plan that will reflect your vision for the City’s future. Community input is needed to establish the long-term vision for Laguna Niguel and to identify key issues and priorities.
How will my feedback be used?
Public input from every engagement opportunity is reviewed and documented to ensure that planners, City staff, and decision-makers have a full understanding of public sentiment when drafting goals and policies. Public feedback on General Plan materials, including goals and policies, will be considered throughout the process.
City staff, elected and appointed officials, business owners, developers, and citizens can reference the General Plan for guidance on what the community values and what are its priorities.
How can I stay informed?
Visit the Get Involved page to view the dates of upcoming meetings and community events. If you wish to be added to the City’s mailing list to receive project updates and invitations to community events, use the contact form and request to be added to the mailing list.
The General Plan Update process is an opportunity for community members to discuss the City’s future. There will be many opportunities to participate, including meetings, open houses, and public hearings. All community engagement opportunities will be posted on this webpage.
