Third workshop scheduled for Gilroy General Plan 2040

The City of Gilroy announced that residents are invited to the third community workshop for the 2040 General Plan.
The workshop—geared to allow residents the chance to provide input on three land use alternatives—is slated for June 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wheeler Community Center Gymnasium, 250 W. Sixth St. in Gilroy. Food and childcare will be provided.
“The purpose of this workshop is to involve the community in the planning for future growth in Gilroy,” a press release stated. “Gilroy is projected to continue to grow in both population and jobs between now and the year 2040.”
Gilroy General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) members are scheduled to be on-hand. Attendees will have the chance to provide input, according to the release.
“The City will conduct the workshop through a series of engaging, interactive exercises,” the release stated.
Public input from the meeting will be used to prepare three land use alternatives for Gilroy.
After the meeting, city officials stated that results of community input will be shared with GPAC, an advisory committee tasked with developing land use alternatives for the General Plan. After GPAC review, the project would be forwarded to the the Planning Commission and ultimately, the City Council.
“The General Plan land use alternatives will provide the community with choices for how Gilroy can grow in the future,” the release stated. “The ideas and recommendations from the community, GPAC and Planning Commission will help the City Council choose a preferred growth alternative for the Gilroy 2040 General Plan.”
City officials likened the General Plan to the “constitution” for future development, representing community values for the next 15 to 20 years.
More information
Residents can attend the workshop or go to the web and participate in the City’s Online Town Hall Forum at by clicking here. More about the workshop and the New Gilroy General Plan is posted at gilroy2040.com.
Not able to attend the workshop? No problem: Gilroy’s online town hall forums give residents the chance to write their input. Here’s a sample of what some people are saying on the city’s General Plan 2040 website:
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
• “…install one way cycle tracks along Santa Theresa Boulevard from Gavillan to Christopher High.”
—Frederik V.
• “It would be great to have an actual department in the community dedicated solely to promoting a healthy active lifestyle. I feel we should have more marathons within our beautiful community. This department can also help promote local farmers. Eating the right foods are a huge part of living a healthy active lifestyle.”
—Amparo M.
SUSTAINABILITY
• “I hope the City incentivizes more ‘green’ methods in new building construction (both residential and commercial). I’d like to see more rooftop solar installations too.”
—Connie R.
• “Find out what the UPRR requirements are for creating quiet zones for the RR X’ings through Gilroy, especially at night!”
—Alan V.
HOUSING
• “’Granny’ units (small studios or 1 BR units built in back of single family homes) could offer homeowners the chance to have a rental they can easily keep an eye on and gain some income.”
—Sherri S.
• “We need to invest in our community. When people own their homes as opposed to renting, it truly gives them sense of community. Individuals that feel like their part of a community are more likely to contribute to improve our community.”
—Lorena G.