Vision for SJC General Plan - Mark Nielsen

The underlying philosophy of the General Plan is to preserve and enhance the present character of a small, historical and rural village-like community with abundant open space. This character is reflected in balancing development with the preservation of our natural resources, natural beauty and historical heritage (including all ridgelines, creeks, remaining agricultural resources and historical structures). Avoidance of major landform alteration is also an important element in preserving our natural beauty and natural habitat for plants and animals. Our character should be further reflected in a transportation and circulation system that minimizes the impact of the automobile, while enhancing the equestrian, pedestrian and non-vehicular transportation options for residents and visitors alike. However, those streets and highways required will be kept visually pleasing and not intrude upon the character of surrounding neighborhoods.

Likewise it should be the intent of the City to regulate and limit unnecessary, excessive or annoying sounds emanating from uses and activities within the City; as well as to minimize the levels of lighting to only that which is required for public safety. Strict control of commercial signs and banners is required to maintain the City's rural and historical character, as well as the City's visual appeal.

While we seek a variety of housing and services for all income levels, it should be the further desire of the City that the design and construction of commercial and residential projects be of the highest quality, be architecturally distinctive as well as in keeping with the community's historical architecture, blend into the natural topography and that abundant open space and views be preserved even within projects and between structures to the maximum extent feasible.

As the community approaches maximum buildout, we must be particularly sensitive to retaining the rural and historical character of the community with those major developments remaining, as well as with the numerous "fill-in" projects still to come. Such development should preserve view corridors and the general feeling of openness, avoiding the creation of "tunnel vision" on streets due to building density or fencing/walls, with increasing openness as one approaches the City's limits or as slope increases on hillsides. The City should maintain a bias toward the minimum density in any zoning category unless the applicant can show it is in the public interest to grant a higher density. Mature landscaping and preservation of trees should also be a key objective.

We should have a "World-Class" Historic Town Center/Downtown that is pedestrian-oriented, commercially successful, and that exudes a welcoming, unique and historical ambience to both visitors and residents. This downtown district should encompass the Mission, Los Rios and Camino Capistrano from the Mission church to San Juan Creek. We should seek methods to attract customers to our downtown, without further burdening our roads with excessive cars. The downtown should be viewed as a regular gathering place for residents, serving both their commercial needs as well as their need for citizen interaction and building of community.

Likewise, the City has a wealth of history exhibited in its extensive number of historical structures and archaeology. These need to be preserved in place where feasible, and actively used to educate the public about their historical significance.

Overall, unique solutions will need to be sought to achieve the above vision of preserving the past for the enjoyment of future generations.