One of the City Council’s top goals over the last several years is updating the Pismo Beach General Plan / Local Coastal Program. This continues to be a top priority as a component of the Council’s goal to invest in Community Character, Beautification, and Quality of Life for Residents. To accomplish this mission, the City Council, Planning Commission, City staff, and consultants have been working to update, modernize, and streamline the General Plan / Local Coastal Program and Zoning Code / Implementation Ordinance.
The General Plan is a broad, long-range policy document that guides future development and conservation, and is a comprehensive collection of policies related to a multitude of aspects of community life. The Zoning Code implements the goals identified in the General Plan and helps to put the City’s plans into action by listing the regulations that govern how land can be used.
Over the last year, the City Council and Planning Commission conducted eight study sessions to walk through the various General Plan / Local Coastal Program Elements, including Land Use, Circulation, Conservation, Open Space, Noise, and Safety. There was review of each policy to ensure it meets the City’s vision for the community and in line to be certified by the California Coastal Commission. The Draft Environmental Impact Report was also reviewed, and all of these documents are continuously updated in response to continued reviews and public comments before the City Council takes action on the General Plan / Local Coastal Program later this winter. On August 22, 2023, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended the City Council adopt the General Plan / Local Coastal Program, a significant milestone in the project.
City staff is currently scheduling additional study sessions for the City Council and Planning Commission to begin review of the Draft Zoning Code / Implementation Plan. The Zoning Code / Implementation Plan is where the “rubber meets the road;” where the policies from the General Plan / Local Coastal Program are implemented on individual properties. Approval of the new Zoning Code / Implementation Plan is a very important component of the City Council’s Goal, as the City currently has two different Zoning Codes for properties located inside and outside of the Coastal Zone respectively. This can create confusion for property owners. A new and updated Zoning Map has also been prepared to identify the different zoning districts of the city.
Catch up and stay up to date with the process by checking the City’s LCP Update page here:
www.pismobeach.org/lcpupdate