Modesto council, planners to meet, discuss general plan update

Modesto's City Council and Planning Commission members tonight intend to kick off a long discussion on how and where Modesto should grow.

They're convening in a rare joint meeting to map their goals for a comprehensive update to Modesto's general plan, the document that lays out the city's growth boundaries and standards.

Modesto last undertook a significant general plan update in 1995. It's a process that planners recommend take place every 10 years.

Big issues will be on the table if the council and commission move ahead with the update. Among them:

• Modesto's sphere of influence, the boundary that defines where the city can grow and developers can build.

• A farmland mitigation policy, an issue that flared up Tuesday during a council discussion on Tivoli, a 454-acre northeast Modesto planning area.

• Zoning for commercial businesses.

• And, how to manage infill projects.

"We're looking for a green light from the commission and council to proceed," said Brent Sinclair, the city's community and economic development director.

Modesto is wrapping up a technical update to the general plan it launched in September 2006 to bring it up to speed with revisions to the city's sewer, water and storm drain plans.

The council hired a consultant with a contract worth about $950,000 for the work.

Sinclair said city employees would lead the full general plan update that's being considered tonight, using consultants in an accessory role.

The joint City Council and Planning Commission workshop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today at the Modesto Police Department, 600 10th St.

Bee staff writer Adam Ashton can be reached at aashton@modbee.com or 578-2366.