About the General Plan

What’s a General Plan?

State law requires every city and county in California to prepare a “General Plan” for its future growth and development. State law also requires such Plans to be periodically updated in response to changing conditions. Each General Plan includes maps expressing the community’s vision of how and where it will grow and change in the future. The General Plan typically has a time horizon of about 20 years, giving the city an opportunity to think long-term about what it wishes to preserve and what it wishes to change. Once a General Plan is adopted, it is used by the City Council, local commissions, and City Staff as they make day to day decisions about the community’s future.

Why is the City Updating its Plan?

Auburn’s current General Plan was adopted in 1993—more than 30 years ago!  The city, the region, and the world were very different then, yet that Plan still guides decisions that will shape Auburn’s future.  The City needs a new, forward-looking plan that reflects the realities of today’s world and the growth pressures and challenges the City will face in the future.  State laws for general plans also have changed, especially in the last decade.  These requires that the Plan consider new topics such as sustainability and wildfire hazards.

We aren’t starting from scratch.  The 1993 Plan is being reviewed to determine what to carry forward, what to update, and what to leave behind.  This is also an opportunity for a new generation of Auburn residents and businesses to have a say in the city’s future. 

Project Objectives

  • Express the community’s vision for Auburn’s future

  • Provide a balance between growth and conservation that meets community needs and protects Auburn’s quality of life

  • Inform residents, developers, and decision makers of the ground rules that guide development

  • Ensure that development occurs in an efficient, orderly manner that minimizes costs to taxpayers

  • Engage in a comprehensive and inclusive outreach process

Project Schedule & Engagement Timeline

 

 FAQ

The following is an ongoing list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that will be updated throughout the planning process.

Project Overview

+ What geographic area does the Plan cover?

General Plans are required to cover all areas within the city limits plus land outside the city limits that may impact Auburn’s future. In Auburn, that’s a very large area---more than three times larger than the city itself. The unincorporated portion of the planning area is also known as the “sphere of influence.” Properties in this area generally have Auburn addresses and are functionally part of the community. While they are under Placer County’s jurisdiction, the City can adopt policies that may guide zoning, development, and annexation decisions. area

The Planning Area is bounded by Dry Creek Rd. and Joeger Rd. intersection in the Northwest; I-80 exit for Meadow Vista and Clipper Gap in the Northeast; Shirland Tract and Auburn Folsom intersection in the Southwest; American River directly east of SW corner (near end of Slade Ridge Rd) in the Southeast.

Policies and maps for the unincorporated area may be more generalized than those for land within the city. Much of the General Plan’s focus is on the neighborhoods, business districts, and open spaces within the city limits.

+ What topics will the Plan address?

By State law, the General Plan must address seven topic areas, called “elements.” The mandatory elements are land use, transportation, housing, open space, conservation, safety, and noise. Depending on local demographics, some cities in the State are also required to adopt environmental justice elements. Cities are also encouraged to adopt “optional” elements which reflect local issues. Auburn’s 1993 Plan included optional elements on economic development and historic preservation. Each element constitutes a chapter of the plan, and includes background data on the topic, a discussion of issues, and goals, policies, and actions for the future.

+ How long will the General Plan Update take?

The General Plan Update will take approximately 2-1/2 years to complete. The City is now in the first phase of the project, which is focused on setting long-term goals, and collecting and analyzing data about Auburn. An inventory of existing conditions, including environmental resources, community services and facilities, transportation, and our local economy, is being completed. Later in 2024, the City will begin developing new policies and actions and drafting the updated Plan. A complete environmental impact report (EIR) will be prepared, examining how adoption of the new Plan could affect our city and how any adverse impacts must be mitigated. The Draft General Plan and EIR are scheduled for publication by Summer 2025. The Planning Commission and City Council will then hold public hearings to adopt the documents, making edits as needed to reflect public input.

+ How does the General Plan Update relate to the Form Based Code Project?

You may have heard about another city planning project also happening in Auburn right now—the “Form Based Code” for Auburn’s commercial core. This initiative is separate from the General Plan, but the two projects are being carefully coordinated so the outcomes support one another. The Form-Based Code project has been engaging the community in a conversation about the future of Auburn’s Downtown and Old Town areas. This will result in a vision plan, along with new development regulations to guide the area’s development. The regulations are known as a Form-Based Code because they focus on the look and feel of new development, rather than the specific uses and activities that occur in each building. To learn more about the Form-Based Code, visit the project website at www.auburnfbc.com

+ How does the General Plan Update relate to the Housing and Safety Elements?

The Housing Element and the Safety Element are also part of the Auburn General Plan. State law required both of these elements to be updated just a few years ago. A new Housing Element and a new Safety Element were adopted concurrently in May 2021. These elements are not expected to be amended as part of the current effort to update the General Plan. The Housing Element policies and programs will help inform future decisions about land use and development. The Safety Element will ensure that future development is directed to areas with lower hazard levels, and will also guide disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation programs (such as wildfire prevention) in the coming years.

+ How does the General Plan Update relate to other Auburn and Placer County planning initiatives?

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Learn more about Imagine Auburn here, the Auburn Bowman Community Plan Update here, and the Placer County General Plan here.

Community Engagement

+ How will the community be involved?

Public input is an essential part of the Plan Update. In addition to providing information on the project via this website, the City is creating a platform for Auburn residents to speak out on long-range planning issues. In addition, the City Council is appointing a small Steering Committee to guide the process. The City will also be providing direct outreach to community and neighborhood groups, advocacy groups, City commissions and committees, and other stakeholders. A number of “Town Hall” meetings and workshops also will be scheduled, including virtual (i.e., Zoom) meetings and in-person meetings. There will also be mobile exhibits at future City events where you can learn more about the project and share your thoughts on Auburn’s growth. Please subscribe to receive email notifications of upcoming meetings and event and visit our Get Involved page for information on upcoming engagement opportunities.

+ How will this affect me?

The General Plan is critically important to all Auburn residents and businesses. It determines how and where future growth and development may occur, and how growth will be managed to protect the quality of life in the city. It underpins local zoning and guides the use of property throughout the city. Most Auburn neighborhoods will not see major changes in the coming years. Other areas may change significantly. Moreover, the Plan addresses issues that impact all of us—including traffic, jobs, housing, environmental quality, resilience, disaster preparedness, and public services. We encourage you to check this website frequently for updates on plan proposals and ideas.