City of Ferndale
Ferndale General Plan
General Plan Update Overview
The City of Ferndale periodically updates its General Plan to set goals and policies that guide local land use decisions for both the current period and the future (20+ years). Most importantly the General Plan is the City's comprehensive long-term community vision that defines the type, amount, and location of future growth and development. The General Plan address a variety of issues, including: health, public safety, land use, circulation, provision of services and facilities, environmental protection, and open space preservation. The City follows State guidelines to ensure statutory compliance. The General Plan guides zoning and other implementing ordinances.
To make the most efficient use of limited City resources, the City will prepare a complete review and revision of all General Plan elements as a multi-year process. The Housing Element and Cultural and Historical Resources Element will be the first two elements updated.
Housing Element
The Housing Element identifies and analyzes existing and projected housing needs. It also provides goals, policies, quantified objectives, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing for all economic groups.
The primary purpose of the Housing Element is to:
- Preserve and improve housing and neighborhoods,
- Provide adequate housing sites,
- Assist in the provision of affordable housing,
- Remove governmental constraints to housing investment, and
- Promote fair and equal housing opportunities.
Historical & Cultural Resources Element
- HCR Element Draft - June 2011 (2.1MB PDF)
- Appendix A - Glossary (70KB PDF)
- Appendix B - Online Historic Preservation Resources (127KB PDF)
- Appendix C - Incentives for Historic Preservation in California (1.7MB PDF)
The public is encouraged to present any comments on the DRAFT Historical & Cultural Resources Element to email: cityclerk@ci.ferndale.ca.us or call the City Clerk at 786-4224.
The Historical and Cultural Resources Element of the City General Plan sets goals, policies and implementation strategies for the City's role in planning for the unique historical aspects of Ferndale and its regional cultural setting in the Eel River Valley. This Element is part of the City general plan because preserving community character, history, and architectural features is important to Ferndale. While not specifically mandated under state planning law, 126 California counties/cities have historic preservation general plan elements. Many of Ferndale's most defining features are its buildings and public spaces. Historical resources include individual structures, the National Register District along Main Street, and the architectural themes found throughout the City.
Ferndale's historical and cultural resources are prominently featured in this Element. The Element's purpose is to preserve and enhance these resources for heritage tourism, economic development and a continued source of community identity and pride. Also, the Element strives to guide new development to be compatible with existing historical resources and encourages both public and private stewardship.