San Bernardino’s Draft 2050 General Plan, Draft Downtown Specific Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report are available for public review and comment, city officials announced earlier this month.
The General Plan serves as a long-term blueprint for growth and development, establishing a course to follow into the future that guides policy decisions on land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure, parks and open space, environmental conservation, public services and economic development.
Officials said the Draft 2050 General Plan represents a comprehensive update that will replace entirely the city’s existing 2005 General Plan.
California law requires every city to adopt and maintain a General Plan to guide future policies and local development. Once adopted, the 2050 General Plan will provide the framework for decision-making on city policies throughout the coming decades.
The period for the public to review and comment on the proposed plans is June 16 through July 31, officials said. Residents, stakeholders and local organizations were encouraged to review the draft documents and submit comments as the plans head toward City Council approval.
The General Plan 2050 covers all “elements” that state law requires — land use, circulation, conservation, open space, safety, noise, housing and environmental justice. The plan also identifies “five topics of local importance to the community” — parks, recreation and trails, public facilities and services, economic development, cultural resources and utilities infrastructure.
“The General Plan 2050 is used as a point of reference for a variety of interested parties and for different purposes,” according to the proposed draft. “For instance, city officials and staff may use the General Plan to evaluate a proposed plan, development project or capital improvement for consistency with goals and policies. In other cases, residents and business owners may use the general plan to determine how their land can be used.”
Officials noted “one particular exception” from other planning areas is the city’s 2021-2029 Housing Element.
“State law requires that the Housing Element be updated more frequently … than the General Plan” — usually every eight years, according to the proposed draft. “As a result, San Bernardino’s Housing Element is published under a separate cover. The city of San Bernardino Housing Element was last completed in 2024 and will next be updated in 2029, consistent with the cycle mandated by the state.”
Documents related to the draft plans’ elements and environmental impact reports are available on the city’s website via tinyurl.com/58bhd278. Printed copies are available to the public at these San Bernardino locations:
- Muscoy Baker Family Learning Center, 2818 Macy St.;
- San Bernardino Community Development and Housing Department, 201 N. E St., 3rd Floor;
- Feldheym Central Library, 555 W. Sixth St.; and
- Inghram Branch Library, 1505 W. Highland Ave.
Written comments must be received no later than July 31 to:
Gabriel Elliott, Community Development and Housing Department director, c/o City of San Bernardino, 290 N. D St., San Bernardino, CA 92401. Emailed comments should go to Elliott_GA@sbcity.org.
