Planning Commission approves General Plan; moves to Council for September public hearings
It's been over a three-year process, but the City of Visalia's General Plan Update is nearing its completion.
After two public hearings on July 14 and 28, the Visalia Planning Commission recommended adoption of the Visalia General Plan and Climate Action Plan. The plan now goes through a public hearing process with the Visalia City Council. The Special public hearing will be held Monday, Sept. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 707 W. Acequia Ave.
The City is conducting an outreach effort to inform the public of the final stages of this process. To learn more about the General Plan Update, go to www.visaliageneralplanupdate.com. | |
District Election Process Kicks off with Community Meetings
Have a Voice and help draw the boundaries for 2016 district elections.
The City invites you to attend an important series of community meetings that need your input and participation for a successful outcome in developing five voting districts to elect City Council members beginning in November, 2016. Two meetings to explain the process and the criteria used to draw five City Council districts will be held: Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m., at Linwood Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room, 3129 S. Linwood St., and Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. at Manuel Hernandez Community Center, 247 W. Ferguson Ave.
In developing the five City Council districts prior to the 2016 election, the City must comply with legal criteria in establishing districts so that the districts are at least as nearly equal in population as required by law, do not result in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen to vote on account of race or color, and shall not be gerrymandered in violation of the principles established in the Ul.S. Supreme Court case, Shaw v. Reno.
In addition to the legal criteria, the Council voted to adopt optional criteria to be used in the development of the districts. NDC provided optional criteria that has been used in other communities. Council approved all criteria presented and a resolution was presented at the Aug. 4 regular meeting with the criteria defined by the Council for formal approval. To view the resolution, click here.
The Council's goal is to adopt the district boundaries by June, 2015, to ensure there is ample time for the citizens and any potential City Council candidates to understand the districts prior to the election cycle in 2016. The preliminary scheduled proposed by NDC includes holding community forums and distributing public participation kits, release of NDC's draft plan, and holding a public hearing on the consultant's and public plans. Community forums would then be held, with a Council hearing in the first of 2015. Additional hearings, readings and adoption would take place between February-April, 2015.
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Reclamite road projects continue in Northwest Visalia Reclamite pavement street maintenance projects are scheduled to continue through the second week in August in the northwest quadrant of the City (west of Mooney, north of Highway 198). The project is expected to start in 17 Landscape and Lighting Districts in all quadrants of the City the week of August 18. This project is a cost-effective pavement maintenance method designed to improve street surfaces for years to come.
All vehicles, traffic and parked cars must be off the streets that will be reclamited by 7 am. The contractor will close the street and apply the rejuvenator with oil. About 2 hours after it is applied, a sand blotter will be applied to reduce tracking. Traffic or parked cars will not be allowed on the streets until after the sand has been applied. Speed must be held to a minimum for several days to reduce the chance of picking-up rejuvenator and sand on your vehicles.
Residents in impacted areas will be notified of the work start date no less than 72 hours prior to the work beginning. Public notifications include message boards, door hangers and no parking signs will go up 24 hours in advance of the work. To view the schedule and map of the work to be done, go to /depts/public_works/streets.
To minimize any inconvenience from this project, residents in impacted areas are advised to: Keep pets and children off the street during application to prevent oil being tracked into the home; check pets feet and shoes for residue after application to protect floors; if you track residue into your driveway or garage, it can be washed off or it will wear off in 2-6 weeks; and drive slow to prevent pick up. Residue on vehicles can be removed with immediate washing with soap and water.
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City Updates
Building permits show 26% boost
City OKs first reading of revised park ordinance
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Upcoming Events
Council Member Amy Shuklian's Office Hours
5 to 6:30 pm Aug. 6
City Hall
Community Forums on Federal Funding
Aug. 7 and 12
Donuts and Discussion with Vice Mayor Gubler
8-9:30 am Aug. 9
Lincoln Oval Park
State of the City with Mayor, Vice Mayor
6 pm Sept. 23
Convention Center
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