Richmond General Plan will determine future of shoreline

Richmond has begun the process of updating its General Plan.

With 32 miles of shoreline, much of it undeveloped but also much of it polluted, the city has a vast environmental stake in the plan's detailed rules for developing or preserving these lands. The plan also will help shape managing, developing, and maintaining all the city's neighborhoods and resources, with special focus on problem areas.

The city has been gathering information and community input since January, and will soon write a Vision Statement as a general basis for building detailed policies.

WhatYouCanDo

We have included an insert in copies of this Yodeler being mailed to the Richmond area. Please sign this insert and send it back to us, or even more effective, write your own letter. Send it to:

Richmond Planning Department
Re: General Plan Update
c/o Sierra Club San Francisco Bay Chapter
2530 San Pablo Ave., Suite I
Berkeley, CA 94702.

Urge the city to:

• protect its shoreline for all Richmond residents, not for private developers
• keep the zoning as open space and resource protection;
• remember that property values for existing residents are enhanced by open space and parks.

When the Vision Statement is ready for public review, the Sierra Club will alert people and provide suggestions on how to submit comments.

To become more involved in the Club's work on the General Plan, contact or call (510)848-0800, ext. 312 or come to West County Group meetings.

For more information about the update and a visual timeline, go to www.cityofrichmondgeneralplan.org

You can also learn more by attending the next meeting of the General Plan Advisory Committee on Wed., Sep. 13, 6 - 8 pm at City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 1401 Marina Way South. Each City Council member appointed four members to this committee. GPAC meetings are open to the public, but public comments are not accepted.

Carol Teltschik-Fall