Mill Valley 2040 - General Plan Update

The City's General Plan serves as a basis for decisions that affect all aspects of our community's daily lives such as transportation, land use, streets and infrastructure, parks, housing and neighborhoods, recreation and community facilities, downtown, the environment, public health and safety, education, and flooding. The General Plan is a strategic and long term document identifying goals and polices that guides and directs the City in terms of implementing policies, programs and resources. As required by State law, the City of Mill Valley's General Plan includes seven issues, or "elements": land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise and safety.

The City's General Plan was last completely updated and approved by City Council in December 1989. The Housing Element was last updated in 2003.

In October 2012, the three General Plan Working groups (Land Use & Mobility, Natural Environment and Community Vitality) finalized their recommendations to the General Plan Advisory Committee for General Plan goals, policies and programs.  The General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) has reviewed the recommended goals, policies, and programs, and they will be incorporated into the Draft MV2040 General Plan for further discussion and review by the GPAC and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council.  The Draft General Plan is currently being prepared by City Staff and consultants.  The Draft Housing Element was sent to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the its first review, as required by state law.  The review period is 60 days.       

The General Plan community values are intended to guide the overall framework and decision making for the General Plan. The General Plan community values have recently been updated based on community input and feedback from the General Plan Advisory Committee.

 MV2040 Community Values continue to be refined based on feedback received.  The last version is based on input from the MV2040 working groups (October 2012).

Mill Valley values:

...a strong local economy that encourages entrepreneurs, and home based businesses, and supports locally-owned and local-serving businesses.

...prudent municipal fiscal policies and practices and operational excellence by city officials and employees

...personal mobility by foot, bike, private vehicle and public transportation that is safe and convenient, reduces congestion, advances public health and promotes environmental sustainability.

...our residential neighborhoods and their unique topography and natural features, architectural diversity and historic character.

...housing choice for all income levels that provides for the local workforce, aging residents, young families and others to live in and contribute to our community.

...open space and natural resource and habitat protection that defines the physical character of our community, promotes active, outdoor recreation and fulfills our responsibilities toward environmental stewardship and climate protection.

...stewardship to responsibly manage and administer Mill Valley’s natural resources with the goal of leaving those resources in a better condition than found so that they are available for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.

...protecting our community by planning and preparing for the impact of natural and man-made disasters, anticipating and adapting to potential threats to community facilities, systems and resources and promoting a community-wide level of readiness that will insure a timely and effective response.

...the arts and our artistic community and its on-going and lasting contribution to our culture, heritage, history, character, economy economic vitality and quality of life.

...a commitment to providing free and equal access to information, resources and programs, and the continuing role of the Mill Valley Library as the intellectual center of the community.

...community participation and volunteerism based on open communication, the free flow of information, embracing technology, mutual respect, civil discourse, civic responsibility and building local and regional leadership.

...the free flow of information, and embracing leveraging technology.

....an excellent public education system and the contribution that an open, effective, mutually supportive relationship among the community, public schools and the City makes to our quality of life.