Woodland's General Plan 2035 Update may cost a few hundred thousand dollars more than anticipated.
At Tuesday's City Council meeting beginning at 6 p.m., city staff have prepared a report on the status of the project, the budget for which is presently $1.1 million.
"Based on input from the community and the critical nature of the General Plan as the community's long term growth plan, it has been necessary to expand the scope of work to beyond what was originally anticipated," said Principal Planner Cindy Norris in the report. "An estimated increase of $272,000 to $332,000 is projected to cover costs associated with the revised scope and process."
Additional budget allocation is not required at this time as sufficient funds remain within the original budget for the General Plan Update through this fiscal year, which ends June 30, Norris explained.
"However, the supplemental funding needed to complete the process will be incorporated into the proposed budget for fiscal year 2014-15," she added. "Any amendments to the original consultant contracts will be brought back to City Council for approval."
Funding for the General Plan was approved in the Capital Budget in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 in the amounts of $917,000 and $183,000, respectively from development impact fees and the Capital General Fund.
Furthermore, $70,000 has been authorized in fiscal year 2013 for the zoning ordinance update, with an additional $30,000 anticipated for fiscal year 2014. The total of the two projects through FY14 is $1.2 Million.
During the last year, about $1 million has been spent on the General Plan, according to Norris. Of that amount, $503,812 went to contracts, materials, and staff time. An additional $503,675 remains earmarked for contracts, but has not yet been paid out.
There is a remaining available balance of $92,514 yet to be allocated.
"It has become clear that the update is more comprehensive than originally anticipated," said Norris. "... Final scope and associated budget adjustments are still being refined, but it is projected that an additional $272,000 to $332,000 will be required to complete the update depending on the consultant effort needed. As there is approximately $92,000 remaining unencumbered funds that could be applied, the estimated increase to the budget will be $180,000 to $230,000. Staff will have a firmer number as refinement of the scope of work is completed."
"The General Plan project is moving into an crucial phase of evaluation and analysis which will set the stage for the development and drafting of the General Plan document, policies and environmental review," said Norris. "Determining the final preferred land use map is an essential task, as this map represents the path for future growth and development over the next 22 years. The Preferred Land Use Map will identify land use designations, development densities and intensities, and mix of uses for every parcel within the Urban Limit Line boundary."
Evaluation of the land use concept will occur through a process that involves public input at venues such as a community workshop, the Steering Committee and the Planning Commission. Final determination of the preferred plan will be made by the City Council. It is anticipated that the evaluation and determination of a preliminary preferred land use map and identification of possible initial alternatives will occur by February.
Staff plans to evaluate different General Plan cost recovery options to help off-set the city's cost of preparing the General Plan Update, according to the report. These options will be presented to the City Council for consideration with the budget process.
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