About Planning

Division Manager:
Patrick Kelly, AICP

Main Number:
(209) 577-5267

Planning Division Overview:

The Planning Division plays a critical role in achieving the City Council’s goals and objectives relative to the physical development of the community. This includes current planning and advance planning sections.

The mission of the Planning Division is to ensure a superior quality of life for the City of Modesto’s current and future residents by addressing matters concerning growth and the environment. Effective long-range planning processes seek to manage growth and change. The Planning process must balance the need to facilitate private investment in the community with these goals.

The Division manages all functions and services that facilitate the development and implementation of Modesto’s future through long- and short-range planning. The Division supports, facilitates, and expedites private investment in the community as well as enhancing the health, safety, and welfare of the community through effective planning for future needs, early identification of planning issues, and timely and efficient services in the area of land use entitlements.

The Division is responsible for administering the City’s land use planning and entitlement system, managing and coordinating the General Plan, Specific Plans, zoning and land division. The Division also assists in the management of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), oversees California Environmental Quality Act review, and manages implementation through annexations, precise plans, zoning, use permits, variances, plot plans, and subdivision maps.

In furtherance of these goals, the Division serves as staff to the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment and often engages the Council’s Economic Development Committee on policy direction.

Current Planning Activities

Tentative and Parcel Maps
Zone Changes
Use Permits
Variances
Plot Plans
Environmental Assessment
Lot Line Adjustments
Abandonment of Public Right of Way
Planned Developments (PD Zoning)

Long Range Planning Activities

General Plan Management
General Plan Master EIR
Management
Urban Growth Policy Review
Master Development Plans
Annexations
Review of Outside Agency Referrals
CEQA support

Activities:

General Plan & Related Documents
The Planning Division develops and maintains City long-range planning documents such as the General Plan, Master Environmental Impact Report, Specific Plans and the Urban Growth Review.
More information...
Parcel Information
Staff members can provide you with information about zoning, rezoning, setbacks, conditional use permits and other development applications.
Visit the Development Center Web Site
Subdivisions
The Planning Division processes all subdivisions and parcel maps, as well as lot line adjustments.
Visit the Development Center Web Site
Boards & Commissions
Planning Commission Agendas, Minutes & Resolutions
Board of Zoning Adjustment Agendas, Minutes & Resolutions