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Learn More About the Project Steps

What are the Steps in the Framework Process?
Step 1: Sustainability Principles
Step 2: Focus Areas, Goals, and Objectives
Step 3: Approaches and Mechanisms
Step 4: Framework Options

    What are the Steps in the Framework Process?

    The Framework is being developed through a step-by-step approach to ensure it is responsive to feedback, and comprehensively built through a structured, inclusive, and transparent process. At each step, input is gathered from the community, County departments, stakeholders, and the Board to inform the development of the Framework, ensuring that it reflects the diverse priorities of the unincorporated communities. The key steps and their deliverables are outlined below.

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    Step 1: Sustainability Principles

    The Sustainability Principles serve as overarching vision statements, outlining the fundamental values that will support the General Plan and County programs for sustainable land use.

    Sustainability Principles:

    1. Decarbonize buildings, communities, and transportation through policies and land use.
    2. Increase opportunities for sustainable and resilient development and housing for all.
    3. Support green economies, innovative infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainable best practices.
    4. Conserve and protect existing natural habitats and resources and increase access to open and green spaces.
    5. Prioritize social equity and environmental justice and sustainable land use policies, plans, and programs.
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    Step 2: Focus Areas, Goals, and Objectives

    The Sustainability Principles are categorized into specific Focus Areas, which represent key topics within land use planning. Within each Focus Area, broad Goals are established to show the desired outcomes or achievements that can be realized through this process. Objectives are the specific, actionable steps designed to advance the Goals. Read the Framework's Focus Areas, Goals, and Objectives here.

    Focus Areas:

    • Housing
    • Transportation
    • Human Health & Equity
    • Economic Strength
    • Natural Environment
    • Hazards
    • Climate
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    Step 3: Approaches and Mechanisms

    Building upon the Goals and Objectives, planning Approaches are identified to show the pathway for achieving the desired outcomes. The Approaches may include policy recommendations, regulatory changes, incentive programs, or community engagement initiatives. Mechanisms are the tools or instruments through which the Approaches are implemented, such as zoning ordinances, development incentives, or infrastructure investments.
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    Step 4: Framework Options

    The final step will involve packaging together Options for Framework implementation, which may include comprehensive revisions to the General Plan to align with the Framework vision, or smaller incremental changes such as the application of the different planning Approaches and Mechanisms for specific geographies and communities.

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