Brenna Chavez

The City of Barstow General Plan Update serves as a comprehensive roadmap for the city's physical development, quality of life, economic health, and sustainability through 2048. It outlines policy direction across key elements including Land Use, Circulation and Mobility, Public Facilities and Services, Safety, Open Space and Conservation, and Housing. The plan aims to foster a complete, healthy, and safe community, create livable wage jobs and diverse housing opportunities, ensure cohesive land use, and capitalize on Barstow's strategic location as a regional hub.

The City of Barstow's proposed General Plan serves as a long-term blueprint for accommodating population growth and fostering an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future through 2048. Key objectives include strengthening the economic base through job creation, expanding diverse housing opportunities, and implementing a cohesive land use plan that effectively integrates residential, commercial, and industrial areas. The plan also leverages Barstow's strategic location to support national supply chain logistics, attracting and retaining innovative industrial and rail operators such as the Barstow International Gateway (BIG) project, while ensuring a healthy and safe community through updated goals, policies, and implementation strategies.

The Safety Element Background Report for the City of Barstow is a state-mandated document that supports the City's General Plan by detailing potential natural and human-caused hazards. It provides a comprehensive overview of public safety issues, including seismic and geologic hazards, flooding, wildfires, wind and sandstorms, and climate-related risks such as air quality, drought, and extreme heat. The report includes a climate change vulnerability assessment that identifies key vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure, informing strategies for emergency preparedness, response, and enhancing community resilience.

The City Council conducted a public hearing for the annual renewal and reaffirmation of assessment districts for street lighting, flood control, landscaping, and street maintenance. The Council approved the Engineer's Report, authorized the continuation of levying annual assessments for the upcoming fiscal year, and approved expenditure appropriations to support the maintenance and operational costs of these districts.

This Specific Plan aims to reenergize the historic Route 66 Business Corridor and Downtown Business and Cultural District in Barstow. Key objectives include improving the overall visitor experience, identifying opportunities for events and activities, and creating a compelling identity that leverages the history of Route 66. The plan focuses on developing interactive materials, supporting economic development, maintaining historic authenticity, enhancing visitor experience, and identifying funding sources, with an ultimate vision to boost tourism interest and economic opportunities.