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Downtown Specific Plan Update (2024)

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APPROVED

On May 21, 2024, the City Council adopted the new Downtown Specific Plan and the accompanying Zone Changes and Zoning Code Amendments.  The Specific Plan contains regulations for the future physical development of the Downtown area and is effective as of June 20, 2024.

 

THE SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE PROCESS

This page contains information regarding the Specific Plan update process, which started at the end of 2021.  The information includes: 

  • General information about Specific Plans and the need for updating the previous Specific Plan
  • Major events during the update process, including community meetings and public hearings
  • A list of draft plans, studies and other documents produced during the update process.
  • The previous and the newly adopted Downtown Specific Plan 

 

WHAT IS A SPECIFIC PLAN?

A Specific Plan is a planning document that implements the goals and policies of the General Plan. These plans contain detailed development standards and implementation measures to which future projects located within a specified geographic area must adhere. 

 

WHY UPDATE THE DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN?

The previous Downtown Specific Plan was adopted in 2000 with a 10-year vision. Over twenty years had passed and, in 2021, the City initiated an effort to confirm and enhance the vision.  The new Specific Plan evaluated and establishes the desired balance of uses within the Downtown to reach its optimal potential.  The Specific Plan establishes a vision for beautification, improved mobility, and streetscape enhancements to increase connections from the Downtown to surrounding neighborhoods and create a destination for residents and visitors alike.

Project logo

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS?

Members of the public can visit this website for updates and future event information, attend community events and public hearings, and submit questions or comments on the Downtown Specific Plan Update by sending an email to Principal Planner, Paul Samaras at psamaras@elsegundo.org

Email Updates

Members of the public can continue to sign up for occasional updates on the Downtown Specific Plan.    Sign up for periodic e-mail updates: Click to subscribe

 

Future Events 

No future events are anticipated at this time. 

Past Events

  • City Council public meeting. On May 21, 2024, the City Council adopted the new Downtown Specific Plan along with the accompanying Zone Changes and Zoning Code Amendments.  The staff report on the project is available on the Agendas & Minutes webpage on the City website.
  • City Council public hearing. On May 7, 2024, the City Council considered the proposed Downtown Specific Plan update, the draft EIR, and the Final EIR. The City Council also considered the Outdoor Dining Process and Guidelines for the Downtown. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the City Council adopted a Resolution approving a General Plan Amendment and certified a Final EIR for the project and introduced an ordinance approving the new Downtown Specific Plan, a Zone Change, and a Zone Text Amendment for the project. The City Council also scheduled the ordinance for a second reading and adoption on May 21, 2024. The staff report on the project is available on the Agendas & Minutes webpage on the City website. Video of the meeting can be viewed here.

  • Public review of draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Downtown Specific Plan Update.  On February 2, 2024, the City released a draft EIR and its Technical Appendices for public review and comment.  A Notice of Availability (NOA) for draft EIR can be viewed here.  The comment period will end on March 18, 2024 at which point City staff will respond to the comments received and prepare a Final EIR for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council. 

  • City Council Study Session.  On September 19, 2023, the City Council held a study session on the Draft Downtown Specific Plan. At the study session, City staff presented the draft Downtown Specific Plan to the public, the City Council took public comments and gave staff direction to incorporate in a final draft of the Specific Plan.   
  • Community Meeting/Planning Commission Study Session. On June 8th, the City held a second community meeting/study session during a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting.  City staff presented the draft Downtown Specific plan for public review and comment.  The staff presentation and discussion focused on the public realm/public property provisions in the Specific Plan.  The staff presentation for the June 8th meeting can be viewed here, and video of the meeting can be viewed here. 
  • Community Meeting/Planning Commission Study Session.  On May 25th, the City held a community meeting/study session during a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting.  City staff presented the draft Downtown Specific Plan for public review and comment.  The staff presentation and discussion focused on the private realm/private property regulations in the Specific Plan.  The public realm provisions will be presented and discussed at the next Planning Commission meeting on June 8, 2023.  The staff presentation for the May 25th meeting can be viewed here, and video of the meeting can be viewed here. 
  • Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Scoping Meeting.  On February 2, 2023, the City hosted a public scoping meeting to solicit input on issues to be studied in the EIR for the Downtown Specific Plan Update.  At the meeting, City staff gave a presentation to the public describing the Downtown Specific Plan Update project and the potential environmental impacts to be studied in the project EIR.  For those who did not attend the meeting, video of the meeting can be viewed here. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an EIR and the Initial Study (IS) can be viewed here.  
  • Community workshop. On November 10, 2022, the City held a study session/public workshop during a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting.  City staff presented several preliminary concepts of the future development of Downtown and received valuable feedback from the community and the Planning Commission.  The staff presentation can be viewed here, video of the workshop can be viewed here, and a written summary of comments at the meeting can be viewed here.
  • Community workshop.  On June 28, 2022, the City hosted a virtual public workshop to solicit input from the community on the future of Downtown.  The City received a lot of valuable input that will be incorporated in future plans for the Downtown.  Video of the workshop can be viewed here.
  • Downtown Survey closed.  On July 18, 2022, the City closed the Downtown survey to further responses.  A summary of the survey results can be viewed here.  
  • RESOURCES AND DOCUMENTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS

The Planning Commission meets regularly on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. 

Live meetings can be viewed locally on Spectrum TV Channel 3, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, and streamed on elsegundo.org and YouTube @ElSegundoMedia.