General Plan General Plan 2025 Update and EIR(David Bryant) See the Tulare County General Plan Update for the latest information. Housing Element Community Plans Tipton Community Plan Update and EIR (Jason Lobue) In a partnership between Countywide Planning and the Community Development and Redevelopment Agency, the Draft Tipton Community Plan and Environmental Impact Report are in the final stages of preparation. The Draft Community Plan promotes multi-family infill on vacant lots; provides land uses to encourage redevelopment of blighted areas; maintains and reinforces the existing “downtown”; proposes a new shopping center as a focal point of the town; and supports new residential uses with new industrial development along the Hwy. 99 corridor. The plan is anticipated to be before the Board of Supervisors this winter. Earlimart Community Plan Update and EIR On January 10, 2006 the Tulare County Board of Supervisors granted the Earlimart Development Group permission to prepare and file an application to update the Earlimart Community Plan. This project could expand the size of Earlimart from two sq. miles to 12 sq. miles, providing for increased jobs, housing, recreational opportunities, private and public facilities and services, and improving the overall quality of life in the community. This project will include an Infrastructure Master Plan that will show where new schools, water, sewer and stormwater facilities, roads, and other infrastructure will be located, and how it will be funded. The Resource Management Agency will also oversee preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the project. Planning for this project will take several years. Community participation will be an important part of the process. A future a web link will be established here so you can download copies of the planning documents as they become available and learn about important meetings and upcoming events. Goshen Community Plan Update and EIR On May 16, 2006 the Tulare County Board of Supervisors approved the formation of the Goshen Development Group to help the County speed completion of the Goshen Community Plan Update. This update will include new shopping opportunities, a Town Center job and housing opportunities, parks and trails, schools and the necessary infrastructure and services to support this growth. Planning for this project is not anticipated to take as long as the Earlimart Community Plan Update because the Goshen Community Plan Update is already advanced. What is changing is that the planning study area will be expanded and the private sector will fund completion of the Community Plan as well as an Infrastructure Master Plan and an EIR (which will be prepared by a consulting firm working for the County). The Resource Management Agency will continue to work closely with residents of Goshen during the planning process. Community meetings will be held as the plans are prepared so you can be involved and share your ideas with us. A future web link will be established here so you can download copies of the planning documents as they become available and learn about meetings and upcoming events. New Towns Yokohl Ranch Project and EIR On February 7, 2006, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors granted the Yokohl Ranch Company permission to prepare and file an application to amend the Foothill Growth Management Plan to develop portions of the Yokohl Ranch. The Yokohl Ranch Company will oversee preparation of this application and the Resource Management Agency will oversee preparation of the Environmental Impact Report for the project. Preparing the amendment and EIR will take several years to complete and there will be many public outreach meetings during 2006/07 where you will be able to learn more about the project and share your vision for the Yokohl Ranch. Ultimately, in late 2007, formal Public Hearings with the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors will be held. At that time, the Board of Supervisors will decide whether the project will be approved (as is, or with changes), or denied. Current information about the project, and planning documents, can be found at http://yokohlranch.com/. Other General Plan Issues and Contacts: General Plan Initiations and Amendments (Michael Washam) General Plan Maintenance and Zoning (Michael Washam) Housing Element Program Implementation (Michael Washam) Traditional Tribal Cultural Places (SB 18 Consultation) (Ann Chapman) Density Bonus Ordinance State Law requires all local governments to adopt a Density Bonus Ordinance. This ordinance will provide incentives for developers to build housing for all income groups, by providing for up to a 35% increase in the number of units allowed by zoning when affordable housing is provided. Fulfilling the timetable adopted by the Board in the Tulare County Housing Element (2003), the Draft Density Bonus Ordinance is ready for review by housing and development industry specialists, and will be presented for Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors Public Hearings.