During the next few months (January through March), the project team will draft alternative land use scenarios in the defined Study Areas.  These alternative scenarios will reflect the Guiding Themes, and consider the SANDAG Smart Growth Map, surrounding land use patterns, and recent planning efforts (i.e., San Marcos Creek Specific Plan and University District Specific Plan).

The Guiding Themes set the direction of the General Plan update and were developed from public input received during the initial General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) meetings, public workshop series #1, and the community survey.

The project team will test the alternative scenarios using the Sustainability Systems Integrated Model (SSIM).  SSIM is a planning and economic tool that comprehensively evaluates multiple environmental systems (i.e. water and energy use, proximity to transit, walkability, etc.) to determine the best cost/benefit ratios for various land use alternatives.

The alternative scenarios and SSIM results will be documented in a working paper and presented at GPAC meeting #4 on May 13th, 2010, and at public workshop series #2 (April 20 through April 28). All GPAC meetings are open to the public.