The deadline for all Northern California cities and counties to adopt housing elements for their General Plan updates is Dec. 31, 2001. To meet the deadline, city council members decided on Feb. 20, to hire an outside consulting firm, Cotton Bridges Associates, that will prepare the study. The state has ordered all cities and counties to update the housing elements of their general plans regularly, said Community Development Director Sharon Fierro.
General plans are blueprints for future development in cities.
California began requiring cities to adopt the plans in 1971, and to update them periodically so they remain relevant. Housing elements of general plans identify existing and projected housing needs. Both Fierro and Mayor Matthew Dean mentioned that they expect to see more housing in and around downtown Campbell, in anticipation of the planned light rail station. Over time, Dean said, properties near light rail stations will see an increase in density. He thinks Campbell residents can expect to see apartments going in above the retail shops downtown.