Demystifying General Plans

Welcome to our demystifying General Plan toolkit! We are glad you’re here. This is your one-stop-shop for resources related to Contra Costa General Plans, upcoming meetings, and additional information. Navigate by clicking on the cards or toggle the arrows.

Zoe Siegel

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What is a General Plan?⁠

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Status of General Plans in Contra Costa⁠

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Upcoming Meetings Make sure to go to your City's website and sign up for General Plan and City Council meeting alerts to know when meetings are happening! Is there another meeting that's not on this list yet? Email Zoe Siegel, zsiegel@greenbelt.org.⁠

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Steps for Taking Action in Contra Costa County⁠

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Resources⁠

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Steps for taking climate action in Contra Costa County

There are many ways to get involved and take action for a more sustainable, resilient Contra Costa County.

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What is a General Plan?⁠

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Step 1: Sign a petition - Signing petitions are the easiest way to join forces with like minded individuals.

Sign our petition for a more sustainable Contra Costa County here⁠

Step 2: Write a letter - If you have more specific comments to share but cannot attend a meeting, sending a letter is a great way to express your opinion. Please feel free to use this

Sample Letter to Send to Elected Official⁠

to reach out to your city’s staff or elected officials (contact information included in sample letter).

Step 3: Attend a meeting - Sharing your voice at a city council or other public meeting is one of the best ways to engage in this process and make your voice heard! Please feel free to use this

Public Comment Template - Zoom Edition⁠

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See below a list of actions to request your city include in their General Plan Updates:

Protect and preserve our natural spaces: open space, waterways, shorelines, and green infrastructure

Plan for more equitable outcomes for residents, prioritizing the needs of disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities

Take bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, and transition to a carbon-free economy

Strengthen community and natural environment resiliency through climate adaptation efforts

Protect and improve our agricultural lands and associated economy

Ensure transit-oriented development, focus economic development near housing or transit, reduce vehicle miles traveled and promote equitable access to jobs and services, especially for disadvantaged communities

Prioritize efficient land use and house every resident ethically and affordably through new housing production, tenant protection, and existing housing preservation;

Ensure accountability to the goals and priorities laid out in the General Plan.

Direction to address the climate crisis, explicitly require a Climate Action Plan that meets or exceeds the state goals, and is reviewed on an annual basis.

Clearly state that there will be a completion of a Greenhouse Gas Inventory to establish a baseline level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and is reviewed on an annual basis.

Agree to partner with other jurisdictions and organizations to develop effective regional solutions and regulation at regional, state and federal levels.

Identify disadvantaged communities, and include clear Environmental Justice policies

Clearly state that you will expand the green transportation network by encouraging the use of climate-friendly technology, planning growth around multiple modes of travel and reducing automobile reliance and vehicle miles traveled.

Ensure transit-oriented development, focus economic development and jobs near housing or transit, and promote equitable access to jobs and services, especially for disadvantaged communities

Incorporate ecologically sustainable practices and materials into new development, building retrofits and streetscape improvements.

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