The General Plan contains goals, policies and recommendations. Goals are the ultimate accomplishment towards which the City's actions should be directed, but are not commitments to full achievement. Policies are statements of the City's general intention and serve as a continuing guide to implementing goals. Recommendations propose action to implement goals and policies. It is not expected that all goals, policies or recommendations will be achieved within a ten-year or any specific time frame due to funding limitations and the need to set priorities.
Standards are specific criteria recommended for implementing goals and policies.
This Plan shall serve as a general guide for the City Council, Planning Commission, City staff, and the public regarding development in the City. It emphasizes goals and policies necessary to implement the urban village model, as well as respond to citywide and regional needs. It is not intended to be rigid and does not propose inflexible boundaries between use designations, but rather it is a flexible guide for achieving balanced growth and preserving the unique character of each village. As a policy plan, this document provides general guidance for more detailed decisions. Consistency of zoning of specific areas or parcels of land with the General Plan shall be evaluated in terms of overall furtherance of Plan goals and in accordance with directions given in the land use element and state law.