City of Santa Maria 2045 General Plan Update

The City of Santa Maria is implementing the 2045 General Plan Update, a comprehensive blueprint for the city's future development and conservation through the year 2045. This initiative updates critical elements including land use, circulation, safety, health and environmental justice, conservation and open space, noise, public facilities and services, recreation and parks, and economic development. Working with Rincon Consultants, Inc., the City aims to address community growth, housing, mobility, and infrastructure needs while integrating the 6th Cycle Housing Element to tackle climate change and environmental protection. A primary objective of the plan is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 through a citywide reduction and monitoring strategy and a formal sustainability plan. The project is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act, with a Draft Environmental Impact Report analyzing effects on agricultural resources, air quality, biological resources, and transportation. The plan adheres to the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Title 24 Green Building Code, and CalOSHA standards for hazardous materials. Key deliverables include a Climate Risk Summary and Health and Equity Evaluation Scorecards. Public engagement is a central component, with a formal comment period for the Draft EIR running from August 14 to September 28, 2025. Future development projects resulting from this plan will require specialized professional qualifications for historical, archaeological, and biological assessments to ensure compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards.