City of Diamond Bar Seeking General Plan Advisory Committee Members

DIAMOND BAR, CA — The city of Diamond Bar is making amendments to their General plan, according to the city website, and seeking individuals to be appointed to the Diamond bar General Plan Advisory Committee. You have until Sept. 15 to apply, according to website release.

The Diamond Bar City Council is accepting applications from individuals interested in being considered for appointment to the newly-created Diamond Bar General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), according to the site.

What is the General Plan?

This is Diamond Bar's guide for the future social, physical, and economic development of the City, according to statements on the city's website.

"It is a long-term document consisting of written text and diagrams that expresses how a community should develop over time, and it is a key tool for influencing the quality of life," the city stated. "It specifies locations for new businesses and residences, roads, parks, and other public infrastructure. The plan is a basis for land use decision-making used by policymakers such as the Planning Commission and the City Council."

Each city and county in California is required by law to have a general plan document. Those documents can be revised every 20 to 25 years. Diamond Bar last updated its general plan in 1995.

"The Diamond Bar GPAC is a volunteer ad hoc advisory committee whose purpose is to make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council on a variety of uses related to the update of the city’s General Plan," the website said. "Member tasks include reviewing research and analysis, identifying issues, visions and key policies, and providing advice and input into the Plan."

The Diamond Bar City Council's goal is that these committee members be diverse in age, gender, background, experience and interests, "but that they share the common, community-wide, long-term vision and perspective to city growth and development over the next 20 to 25 years," the website said.

The term for members would be approximately three years, long enough for the General Plan Update process. A series of nine meetings would be involved. Members must be at least 16 years of age, and either live, operate a business, or have a proven record of community service in Diamond Bar according to the website release.

"Every city and county in California is required to develop and periodically update a General Plan, and use it to guide decision-making on a variety of matters, including land development, capital improvements, and resource conservation," they said. "While General Plans do not have a definite shelf life, a 20- to 25-year cycle is the accepted norm. Diamond Bar’s original General Plan was adopted in 1995."

The prospective GPAC member application, along with additional information about the Diamond Bar General Plan Update, is available on the City website at www.diamondbarca.gov/generalplan.

Applications may also be picked up at City Hall (21810 Copley Drive) and Diamond Bar Center (1600 Grand Avenue), or requested by mail by calling the Diamond Bar City Clerk’s Office at 909.839.7010, according to release.

Completed applications are due back to the Diamond Bar City Clerk’s Office no later than Thursday, September 15.