Atascadero planning staff on Tuesday presented the complete draft of the city's 2045 General Plan and asked the Planning Commission to review it and help direct public outreach as work continues on an environmental impact report (EIR) and a fiscal analysis.

The draft lays out a 20'year vision for growth and infrastructure, including place types for future land use, strategies to attract higher'wage employment, mobility and circulation improvements, and capital projects such as a replacement wastewater treatment plant and the rebuilding of Fire Station No. 1. Phil, a City of Atascadero community development staff member who led the presentation, said the document is being released as a web'based draft and is intended to gather public comment before staff and the council finalize the plan.

Why it matters: staff said the wastewater treatment plant is already at capacity and remains a scheduling and funding priority; the draft general plan and the EIR will inform whether and how land'use changes can proceed and what infrastructure will be needed. Phil told the commission the city is proceeding with a draft EIR and fiscal analysis now and urged residents to comment in the coming weeks while revisions are still technically feasible.

Staff summarized the plan'making process and the document's major chapters, describing several "big moves" meant to guide the next two decades: creating a mix of housing types, attracting new industries and higher'wage jobs to improve the jobs'housing balance, improving mobility and safety, and addressing public infrastructure needs. The presentation emphasized that much of the city will remain unchanged and that physical constraints'notably steep slopes, tree cover, limited sewer service and wildfire risk'limit where higher densities can be accommodated.

On land use, staff described draft place types for Atascadero'from downtown retail and entertainment to light industrial and "innovation flex" areas'and said changes were focused on a few corridors such as El Camino Real and the downtown core. The West Side of the city, staff said, largely remains unchanged because of topography and limited wastewater service.

Commissioners and staff discussed outreach and the EIR comment process. Commissioner O'Malley asked for weekend and event'based outreach so residents who work evenings can participate; Commissioner Jones asked about a separate workshop for the EIR. Phil said staff plans to host required public comment opportunities during the EIR review, including an open house and a planning commission hearing during the public comment period.

Public comments and staff follow'up: staff acknowledged a submitted 16'page comment letter concerning the Salinas River and directed the commenter to chapter 7 of the draft, which addresses river and environmental policies. A member of the public asked whether childcare is addressed; staff said childcare appears in the economic development section and that staff would verify and add coverage if necessary.

Formal actions at the meeting were limited to routine business: the consent calendar was approved by roll call vote and the commission administered oaths to two new planning commissioners, Joey Farrell and Tom Jones. No action was taken on the general plan draft itself.

What's next: staff said the draft EIR and a fiscal analysis are under way and will be brought back to the commission and council in the coming months. Staff recommended residents review the draft online (tascadero2045.org) and provide input during the current public review window.

"Atascadero provides opportunities for all residents and business owners to thrive," Phil said when reading the plan's vision statement. "Collective community actions improve conditions for current and future generations."