The General Plan is a comprehensive policy document that defines the type,
amount, and location of future growth, as well as areas to be conserved
within the County and forms the basis for the County's planning activities
and its land use decisions.
The General Plan sets forth the direction the County will take in managing
its future based upon a shared vision for the community. California law requires
each local government to adopt a General Plan which must contain seven mandatory
"elements" or chapters. These elements include a series of goals,
policies, and implementation actions designed to achieve the community's
vision. A General Plan may include optional elements that address specific
topics of local concern.
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Land Use - Designates the location, general intensity, and use of the
land for agricultural, housing, commercial, industrial, public facilities,
open space, and other uses. This element includes a Land Use Map that
shows the distribution of the various land uses.
Circulation - Indicates the location in the County for existing
and proposed roadways, and identifies bikeways, railroads, transit,
and other mobility systems. This element is correlated to the Land Use
Element.
Housing - Identifies the community's housing needs and provides
strategies for the production of housing for current and future residents
of Sutter County.
Conservation - Addresses the conservation and utilization of natural,
cultural, historical, and archeological resources within the community,
including water, soils, minerals, air quality, as well as plant and animal
resources.
Open Space - Identifies open space resources in the community and
strategies for protection and preservation of these resources.
Noise - Identifies existing and potential noise sources within the
community and strategies to minimize the exposure of residents to noise
and to mitigate noise impacts to the extent feasible.
Safety - Plans for the welfare and safety of the citizens and their
property by identifying and mitigating potential effects of natural and
man-made disasters, including, but not limited to, flooding, fires,
geologic hazards and hazardous materials.
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Optional elements to address specific areas of concern to the community
may also be included in addition to, or incorporated with, the seven
mandatory topics. State law allows the flexibility of combining topics
or adding additional discussion as long as the content requirements
of the mandatory chapters are met.
In addition to the seven required elements, the new Sutter County
General Plan will include the following optional elements:
Economic Development - Identifies strategies for encouraging a
strong economic base and fiscal balance in the County. This includes
the long-term agricultural economy, as well as new and diverse
opportunities for economic development and employment growth.
Infrastructure - Addresses water, wastewater/septic, storm
drainage and solid waste infrastructure in a way that supports
the County's vision for growth and conservation.
Community Services - Identifies standards and facilities for
the provision of fire protection, law enforcement, schools, libraries,
health care, cultural amenities, and parks and recreation in the community.
The Sutter County General Plan Update involves preparing new and revised
goals, policies and implementation actions to achieve the community's
vision for each of the above required and optional elements. These will
be developed through a comprehensive process that engages County staff
and decision makers; outside agencies and service providers; and Sutter
County residents, business owners and interest groups. It is important
for all of these parties to work together toward a unified vision of
the County in order to create a place where people enjoy living, working,
playing, and spending time now and in the future.
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