SAN DIEGO - Following an unprecedented public outreach process begun in 1999, the City of San Diego Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on August 15 and make a recommendation to the San Diego City Council regarding adoption of the Strategic Framework Element and City of Villages strategy. The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the San Diego Community Concourse Copper Room, located at 202 "C" Street (on the Terrace Level). The City Council Chambers will be closed due to construction at that time.

This milestone is the culmination of a citywide effort to involve citizens in addressing the issues our city faces associated with growth and maintaining quality of life. As a result, the Strategic Framework Element and City of Villages strategy are based on a vision and core values identified by San Diegans.

The City of Villages strategy is part of the City of San Diego’s Strategic Framework Element, a proposed amendment to the City’s 1979 General Plan. The strategy employs smart growth concepts to build upon what already makes San Diego unique and creates a network of vibrant village centers served by a world-class transit system. Existing neighborhoods will be enhanced while retaining their unique character and design. Single-family neighborhoods will be preserved by locating development in areas where a high level of activity already exists.

"The public involvement effort to develop this plan has been extensive," said Coleen Clementson, Program Manager with the City’s Planning Department. "We held five phases of public outreach and a series of meetings, workshops and presentations. The City Council, Planning Commission, Community Planners Committee (CPC), local community planning groups, key City departments, a 40-member Citizen Committee, San Diego citizens, and other key stakeholders have participated throughout the process. We're now ready to prepare for the Council adoption hearing anticipated this fall," Clementson said.

The Planning Commission may pose additional questions and receive additional information regarding the Strategic Framework Element and Five-Year Action Plan at the hearing. Public testimony is welcome. The City Council is scheduled to consider adoption of the Strategic Framework Element and Five-Year Action Plan this fall.

The next step after City Council adoption would be implementation of the Five-Year Action Plan, selection of pilot villages, implementation of a public facilities financing strategy and more detailed work with communities on defining village locations in updated community plans.

For more information about Strategic Framework Element and City of Villages strategy, please call the General Plan Hotline at (619) 235-5226. Additional information about the Strategic Framework Element and transit and parking options for this hearing can be found online at www.sandiego.gov/planning/genplan/pilotvillage/index.shtml. Click "Community Participation" and choose "Upcoming Strategic Framework Hearings."