General Plan

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Portola Valley's General Plan serves as the blueprint for the Town's future growth and development. It addresses issues of importance to the community, sets forth policies for conservation and development, and outlines specific programs or actions for implementing these polices. In California, general plans must include seven elements: Land Use, Transportation, Open Space, Conservation, Housing, Noise, and Safety. As well as the seven required elements, the Portola Valley General Plan includes a number of optional elements, including the following: Sustainability, Recreation, Historic Resources, Trails and Paths, and Scenic Roads and Highways. Finally, the Town's General Plan includes four sub-area plans for specific parts of town. These are the Nathhorst Triangle Area Plan, the Alpine Scenic Corridor Plan, the Town Center Area Plan, and the Portola Road Corridor Plan.

ADOPTED PORTOLA VALLEY GENERAL PLAN

General Plan Table of Contents

Part 1 - Setting, Assumptions, and General Policy
General Plan Introduction and Community Goals

Part 2 - Land Use
Land Use Element: Sets forth guidelines for land occupancy and describes the location and distribution aspects of land uses.

Open Space Element: Provides a framework for the preservation of open space within the planning area.

Recreation Element: Provides guidelines for meeting the recreational needs of the Town.

Housing Element: Sets forth the goals and policies of the Town with regard to housing.

Historic Resources: Identifies principal historic resources and sets objectives for their preservation, enhancement, and maintenance.
Sites for Historic Element - Within City Limits Diagram

Part 3 - Circulation
Circulation Element: Provides the overall description of proposals and describes in detail proposals for streets and roads.

Trails and Paths Element: Provides a guide to establishing a free and unimpeded network that will allow and promote trail and path use.
    1. Trails Element: Plan Diagram A (existing and proposed facilities within the town)
    2. Trails Element: Plan Diagram B (existing and proposed facilities outside of the town, but within
        the town's sphere of influence)

Scenic Roads and Highways Element: Provides policies and guidelines with respect to designation and maintenance of scenic highways within the Town.

Part 4 - Environmental Quality
Safety Element: Presents 1) an identification and evaluation of geologic and fire hazards in Portola Valley, 2) a statement of official Town policy for the avoidance, reduction or abatement of those hazards, and 3) guidelines for disaster response.

Conservation Element: Provides a programmatic approach for the conservation, restoration, development and utilization of natural resources.

Noise Element: Establishes policies for the preservation of tranquility within the Town consistent with its rural character.

Sustainability Element: A major goal of the community is to ensure the sustainability of our environment. The provisions of this element, in addition to provisions in other parts of the General Plan, are intended to help the community realize this goal.