San Anselmo reaches ‘kickoff’ of general plan update

San Anselmo is initiating a multi-year process to develop its general plan update.

The Town Council, meeting on Nov. 14, directed staff to issue a request for proposals for a consulting firm to assist the process. A committee of four officials — two members of the council and two planning commissioners — will review the proposals and help choose the consultant.

Heidi Scoble, the town’s planning director, called the council meeting a “true kickoff” of the general plan process.

“We are going to look at our existing conditions, see what’s working for the town, have a robust public engagement process to identify where there are opportunities to consider how San Anselmo can grow in the future,” Scoble said.

Each city, town and county in the state is required to prepare a general plan, considered a blueprint for development in categories such as land use, transportation, traffic circulation, housing, conservation, open space, safety and noise. Town regulations must be consistent with the policies in the general plan.

Scoble said San Anselmo’s general plan was adopted in 1975. Typically, general plans are updated for 15 to 20 years, she said.

The town’s general plan was revised in 1988 under the topics of land use, traffic circulation and open space, a staff report said. The housing element has been revised various times since the 1980s, with the most recent update over 2022 and 2023 still pending.

The general plan also needs updates to state legislation related to climate change and resilience, disadvantaged communities, tribal consultation, fire hazards and environmental justice, a staff report said. The updates ensure that the town meets eligibility requirements for federal and state funding, Scoble said.

The general plan is expected to be complete in two to three years. Public engagement will last through the end of 2024. A draft is expected between summer 2025 and spring 2026. Environmental review and adoption would follow.

Scoble also asked the council to consider whether the general plan should include new elements. The council indicated possible support for sustainability, cultural preservation and other components.

“Having a standalone element related to this really identifies and signifies what is important to the town,” Scoble said of the cultural preservation option.

The council also suggested possible elements related to healthy communities, community building or youth development.

Councilmember Brian Colbert said the process could help define “small-town character.”

“It provides a level of continuity for our community members and even our council members about a vision of where we were, where we’re going and where we might want to get to along these parameters,” he said.

Vice Mayor Eileen Burke expressed an interest in serving on the committee.

“I like this project because it’s just a taking stock of where are we and where do we want to try to go?” she said. “I think the process of doing it is really valuable.”