Why Aligning with the General Plan Is Your Secret Weapon in Approvals
ASK:
What’s the General Plan, and why does everyone keep telling me to check it before I buy land?
ANSWER:
The General Plan is the city’s long-term roadmap for growth. It dictates how land can be used, what kinds of development the city wants, and where they want it.
If your project aligns with that vision, you’re halfway to approval. If it doesn’t you’re in for a challenge.
Why the General Plan Matters
Every planning decision from zoning changes to use permits ties back to the General Plan. Staff recommendations and council votes hinge on one question: Does this project further our community’s adopted goals?
When your project supports those goals, approvals become easier and faster.
At I&D Consulting, we start every feasibility study with a General Plan cross-check. We map your project’s benefits to the city’s policies so we can speak their language from day one.
How to Align Your Project
- Read the Land Use Element.
This section defines what goes where with housing, commercial, industrial, mixed-use. - Identify Key Priorities.
Cities often highlight goals like affordable housing, economic diversification, or sustainability. - Frame Your Project Around Those Goals.
We write narratives and hearing materials that directly quote city objectives. It shifts the tone from “requesting approval” to “implementing your plan.”
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The General Plan is the foundation for all land use decisions.
- Aligning with it makes your project easier to approve.
- Use city policy language in your narratives to build credibility.
People Also Ask
1) How often are General Plans updated?
Usually every 10–30 years, but updates to specific elements (like housing) can happen more often.
2) What if my project doesn’t fit the current General Plan?
You’ll need an amendment to the General Plan which usually requires additional hearings and sound public justification.
3) Where can I find a city’s General Plan?
Most are available on the city’s planning website under “Comprehensive Plan” or “General Plan.” or you can request it from the Planning/Zoning Department.
