Ventura County 2040 General Plan Update

Mintier Harnish led a team of nine teaming partners to assist Ventura County with the preparation of the award winning 2040 General Plan. County planning staff formed a General Plan team who were integrated into the consultant team and had key roles on every phase of the Update. County staff led the multifaceted community engagement program as well.  The General Plan project included several key milestones:  Background Report; Assets, Issues, and Opportunities Summary Report; Scientific Public Opinion Survey Summary Report; Vision and Guiding Principles, Alternative Concepts Report; Alternatives Report; General Plan policy Document; and Program Environmental Impact Report.

The General Plan includes nine elements: Land Use and Community character; Housing; Circulation, Transportation, and Mobility; Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure; Conservation and Open space; Hazards and Safety; Agriculture; Water Resources; and Economic Vitality. Also has appendices that include a climate change summary and community plan maps, as well as an Area Plans section with the nine unincorporated community plans. To address cross-cutting topics found throughout the Plan, icons are used to indicate one of four topics: PEIR mitigation measures, environmental justice, healthy communities, and the Climate Action Plan.

The Ventura County General Plan Update was shaped by an extensive community engagement program, including a scientific public opinion survey that reached over 500 people, three workshops, two rounds of six community open houses, pop-up booth at the county fair and in the courthouse, and a project website. General Plan advisory bodies were formed, including Technical Advisory Committee, six focus groups which each met four times, three meetings with each of the six Municipal Advisory Councils, and Agriculture Policy Advisory Committee meetings. The Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors held six separate working sessions and three joint working sessions, as well as three public hearings.

2021 Award of Excellence, Comprehensive Plan, Large Jurisdiction – APA California