FAQ
What is a General Plan?
The state of California requires every city and county in California to adopt a General Plan, which is the local government’s long-term blueprint “for the physical development of the city and any land outside its boundaries that bears relation to its planning.” The General Plan represents the community’s view of its future and expresses the long-term growth and development goals. It addresses issues that impact the entire city, such as how land is used, where buildings are built, the locations of roads and parks, safety, noise, and more.
The General Plan contains the goals and policies upon which the City Council and Planning Commission will base their future land use decisions. 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’s current General Plan was last comprehensively updated in 1996. The City of Indian Wells is facing important demands and challenges (some new, some long-standing) on its land use pattern, economy, budget, and infrastructure network. Changing demographics and economic conditions and new state legislation are some of the important reasons that the City has decided to update its General Plan.
What is included in the Indian Wells General Plan project?
The Indian Wells work program includes preparation of a variety of important plans that will guide the City through 2040. These include:
Existing Conditions Report – The Existing Conditions Report describes current conditions and regulations affecting the City associated with land use and growth, circulation, environmental justice, community services and facilities, safety and noise, climate change, and conservation. 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.
Land Use Alternatives Report – The Land Use Alternatives Report will conceptualize the community’s general land use preferences regarding general land use characteristics, areas for change/growth, open space, recreation, and circulation improvements. The report will focus on opportunity areas for growth and change and will address the growth potential for each alternative, taking into account past development patterns and growth rates, land use capacity (residential units, population, and non-residential uses), and jobs-housing balance.
General Plan Document – The General Plan document will address all state-required General Plan topics (land use, housing, circulation, public safety, noise, open space, and conservation) and other topics of local importance, including community design, sustainability, economic development, and public facilities.
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 which are consistent with the General Plan.
What topics are addressed in the General Plan?
General Plans are divided into elements based on specific topics. There are seven mandatory elements: land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, safety, and noise. State law allows local governments to organize and format their general plans however they desire, as long as the required topics or elements are addressed. Cities can also choose to include additional elements, such as community design and sustainability, including economic sustainability/economic development.
We expect to address all of these topics, and more, in Indian Wells's new General Plan. As a part of preparing the General Plan Update, the existing elements may be reorganized and new elements may be added to emphasize new planning issues that have arisen since the current General Plan was adopted.
What is the schedule for the Indian Wells General Plan Project?
The Indian Wells General Plan Update will take place over a two-year period from Summer 2020 through approximately Fall 2021.
How can I get involved?
The Indian Wells 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 virtual meetings, workshops, and public hearings. The City is committed to engaging the community in new digital ways during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure your voices are heard.
In order to collect community input in an open, engaging, and actionable way, the City has designed a series of online community meetings where you will have the opportunity to participate in and be informed of the planning process. These include:
Visioning Workshops – Visioning Workshops will be held to introduce the community to the project and to provide opportunities for the community to identify their vision, goals and priorities, and land use and transportation preferences for the General Plan Update. Click here for details for the Visioning Workshops.
Stakeholder Interviews – Interviews of groups and organizations that represent various local and regional issues that affect Indian Wells 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 Workshops – Community workshop are expected to be held during the General Plan Update process, either online or in-person, depending on health and safety protcols.
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 before the Planning Commission and City Council to consider the update to the General Plan. Community members are encouraged to attend these meetings.
Why should I get involved?
The City of Indian Wells is committed to involving the community in the planning process. The General Plan Update process provides residents, businesses, and interested parties the chance to help guide the future of the community. 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 Indian Wells 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.
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, workshops, and public hearings. All of these opportunities will be posted on this website.
