ABOUT THE PROJECT

Find information about the General Plan Update such as the project description, timeframe, overall process, and some frequently asked questions.

Homes aling the coastline of a bay with train tracks dividing the homes from the water.

See How You Can Get Involved

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What is a General Plan?

A general plan serves as a city’s primary road map for its future. It describes the community’s vision about how it will grow and reflects the community’s priorities and values, while identifying strategies for managing preservation and change. The City of Hercules must update its General Plan periodically to respond to the changing needs and conditions of the city and region and to reflect new State laws.
General plans are comprehensive in scope. The City of Hercules General Plan “elements,” or chapters, address natural and cultural resources, hazard mitigation, land use, housing, mobility, parks and recreation, economic development, and noise. General plans typically include goals, policies, implementation strategies, and supporting maps and graphics.

Aerial image of an apartment complex along with many colorful houses.

Aerial image of park with lake, trees and gazebo.

Why is the City updating its General Plan?

The current General Plan was last comprehensively updated in 1998, and since then, individual elements have been updated, and much has changed in Hercules and California. The City would now like to complete a focused update to its General Plan to reflect current conditions, advance a new community vision for the future, integrate public and private plans that are not reflected in the General Plan, and ensure compliance with State law. Specifically, the City seeks to update its Land Use, Circulation, Open Space and Conservation, Economic Development, and Noise Elements.

Project Phases and Timeline

The Horizon 2050 initiative requires a multi-year process, initiated in Spring 2026. The process will consist of five phases, as shown below. Community engagement is critical to the success of the general plan update, and each phase will include opportunities for community participation and feedback.

READ A TEXT VERSION OF THE TIMELINE GRAPHIC Phase 1: Issues, Opportunities, and Vision Phase 2: Land Use Direction Phase 3: Policy Development Phase 4: General Plan Elements + Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Phase 5: Plan Adoption Community Engagement Happening Throughout the Process

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a general plan, and what must it include?

Every city and county in California is required by state law to have a general plan that serves as a roadmap to guide land use and development decisions. It reflects the community’s vision on how to grow and manage change, for a typical planning horizon of 15-20 years. California law requires that the general plan includes a minimum of eight state-mandated topics or “elements”: land use, open space, conservation, housing, circulation, noise, air quality and safety. Cities with identified disadvantaged communities are needed to include an environmental justice element. Beyond the mandatory elements, there is flexibility to address local conditions by including additional elements such as economic development, cultural resources, sustainability, and implementation.

Why is the City of Hercules updating its general plan?

The current Hercules General Plan was last comprehensively updated in 1998 and since then, some individual elements have been updated. Since that time, much has changed in Hercules and throughout California. The City’s Horizon 2050 initiative will be a focused update that will update the general plan to reflect current conditions, advance a new community vision for the future, integrate public and private plans not currently reflected in the general plan, and ensure compliance with state law.

How does the general plan update affect me?

Whether you just moved to or started working in Hercules; or have called it your home or workplace for many years, the Horizon 2050 General Plan update is a valuable opportunity for you to voice your opinions, share ideas, and help us build consensus on a variety of topics that the update will address, such as:

Land Use: What future land uses will look like, as well as which areas will grow and change. This in turn will guide future development and zoning updates.
Economic Development: Where businesses can locate, how commercial areas may grow, and what infrastructure and investments are needed to attract jobs and support local businesses.
Transportation: Improvements to the road network, bike lanes, and public transit to help people get to work, school, shopping, and parks more safely and easily.
Community Amenities: Plan for schools, parks, and other community facilities to support future growth, and set policies for conserving and maintaining parkland and open space.

Who can get involved in the General Plan update and how?

The Horizon 2050 General Plan update is an opportunity for community members and stakeholders to discuss how Hercules will grow through 2050. Both in-person and virtual events are planned to provide a variety of ways to participate, including:

Horizon 2050 website with regular updates and notifications
Community workshops or open houses
Informational forums
Online surveys
Citywide notifications and informational primers
General Plan Advisory Committee meetings
Public meetings with Planning Commission and City Council

You can join the City’s email list to receive updates on upcoming events.

Additional questions or comments?

If you have any questions, or would like to provide us with comments, please contact the City of Hercules at generalplan@herculesca.gov