General Plan 2020
Introduction
Chapter 1 Community Vision Statement
Chapter 2 Community Development
Land Use Element
Growth Management Element
Transportation Element
Public Facilities & Infrastructure Element
Chapter 3 Housing and Human Services
Housing Element
Chapter 4 Environmental Quality and Management
Open Space Element
Resource Conservation and Management Element
Air Quality Element
Chapter 5 Design and Historical Preservation
Design Element
Historical Preservation Element
Chapter 6 Health and Safety
Public Safety Element
Noise Element
Glossary
The Arcata General Plan: 2020 will help shape how the city of Arcata will look, function, provide services, and manage resources for the next 20 years. The plan is the City's "constitution" for physical development and change within the existing and future city boundaries. The plan is a legal mandate that governs both private and public actions. The general plan is atop the hierarchy of local government laws regulating land use. Other laws and policies, such as specific plans, subdivision regulations, and the zoning ordinance are subordinate to, and must be consistent with, the general plan. Comprehensive in scope, the plan conveys the fundamental values that public decision makers will use to guide the City's evolution, from its physical development to the ever-changing network of services provided to its citizens.
Authority & Purpose of the General Plan
California State law requires cities and counties to prepare and adopt a general plan. The Government Code Sections requiring general plans are listed and summarized in the box on the following page.
Planning Commission & City Council Review & Adoption
The City of Arcata Planning Commission conducted public hearings and reviewed the Draft General Plan prepared at the direction of the City's General Plan and Specialized Task Forces. They forwarded a Planning Commission Draft to the City Council. After conducting their own public hearings, the Council adopted this General Plan on October 4, 2000.