Advance Planning

ADVANCE PLANNING OVERVIEW

Advance Planning maintains and updates the City’s long-range planning documents, including the General Plan, Housing Element, Zoning Code, Local Coastal Program, and design guidelines.  Advance Planning functions also include policy and ordinance development, coordination with neighboring agencies on regional planning issues, and grant preparation and administration.

ADVANCE PLANNING PROJECTS

Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 

The purpose of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is to develop a comprehensive local public planning process to assess and develop a response to the city's vulnerability to natural hazards. The LHMP identifies critical facilities that are vital to the city's and other local agencies' response during a natural disaster, particularly those that are currently vulnerable or at risk, assesses vulnerability to a variety of natural disasters (earthquake, flood, coastal erosion, etc.) and identifies needed mitigation actions.

Zoning Code Update

The City Council adopted a comprehensive update to the City's 1975 Zoning Code on May 31, 2021.  

Local Coastal Program Update

The Coastal Commission certified Capitola LCP Implementation Plan (Zoning Code) on April 15, 2021.  

Subdivision Ordinance Amendments

The City Council adopted amendments to the City's Subdivision Ordinance on November 21, 2017.  

Climate Action Plan

The Community Development Department completed the City’s first Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2015.  The CAP identifies strategies and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from City government operations and community activities to support the State of California’s efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.  More information is available on the Climate Action Plan page.

Housing Element Update

The Capitola City Council adopted the Housing Element  Update on November 25, 2015.  The 5th Cycle (2015 - 2023) Housing Element can be found here.