A General Plan is a long-term guide for how a city evolves and changes over time. California law requires every city maintain and periodically update a General Plan to help plan for the future. The Plan covers topics like where housing and jobs are located, how people get around, how parks and open space are protected, and how the city plans for things like noise and natural resources. Once adopted, the General Plan serves as a roadmap for the City Council, commissions, and staff as they make long term and day-to-day decisions about Walnut Creek's future.

Walnut Creek's existing General Plan, called General Plan 2025, was adopted in 2006 and includes goals, policies, and actions through the end of 2025. Since then, a lot has changed in Walnut Creek and the Bay Area. The General Plan Update is a chance to look at where we are today, plan for the future, and create a shared vision for the years ahead.

The General Plan covers the topics state law requires every city to address, including land use, transportation, housing, open space, conservation of natural resources, natural hazard safety, noise, and making sure all residents have fair access to healthy and safe environments. Beyond these required topics, the update will also focus on health and wellbeing, economic vitality, and arts and culture. The City recently updated both the Housing Element and Safety Element. These updates will be incorporated into the final General Plan.

Walnut Creek 2050 focuses on the area within city limits, plus neighboring places that may impact our city’s future.

The update is anticipated to take about three years, with adoption expected in 2029. This is typical for many General Plan processes in the state. This will include gathering community input, analyzing existing conditions, evaluating different options for the future, drafting the Plan, and completing the required environmental review.

There will be lots of ways to participate, and your input as a community member will directly shape the Plan. Opportunities to get involved will include a speaker series, an interactive project website, focus groups, open houses and workshops, online questionnaires, and pop-up events throughout the city. Upcoming engagement events will be posted to this website, on the home page, and get involved page. Email walnutcreek2050@walnutcreekca.gov to get in touch or stay in the loop.

The General Plan sets a long-term vision and direction for the city while helping preserve and enhance the qualities that make Walnut Creek unique. Rather than approving specific projects, the Plan provides a framework to guide future decisions about growth, housing, transportation, parks and public spaces, and community investment over time. The updated Plan will guide decisions about growth, transportation, public spaces, and community investment. It will also help Walnut Creek address climate and housing challenges while preserving and enhancing the qualities that make the city a great place to live and work. Once adopted, the Plan will inform future updates to the City's zoning code and other implementation tools.

The City of Walnut Creek's Community Development Department is leading the update, with collaboration from all parts of the City and support from a Bay Area-based consultant team. The team is led by Alta Planning + Design (formerly Raimi + Associates) and includes other experts in transportation, economics, cultural planning, environmental analysis, and community engagement (Fehr & Peers, BAE Urban Economics, Cultural Planning Group, Harris & Associates, and Plan to Place). The City Council, Planning Commission, and other City commissions will weigh in at key milestones, and the community will help shape the Plan throughout.