Union City, California
General Plan Update
Policy Themes
The City Council held a study session on June 1, 1999 to discuss Union City's planning issues and policies (photo right). The Study Session resulted in five overall planning themes. The themes are being used to identify research tasks and to help guide the general plan community process. These themes are summarized below.
Theme #1: Gateway to Silicon Valley
Union City is benefiting from the Silicon Valley economy. There are increasing business opportunities for start-up companies as well as sites available for companies that are looking for a growing, progressive and dynamic community. Union City is a great location for businesses with good access to freeways, the Port of Oakland and rail lines. The growing local and sub regional population has created the support for commercial and community services that enhances Union City's quality of life. However, there are still some challenges being the "Gateway to Silicon Valley" including:
- · Growing pains of traffic and housing prices
- · Revitalization of older neighborhoods
- · Meeting the community's higher expectations for services
Theme #2: Fiscal Stability
Union City is evolving from a bedroom into a balanced business and residential community. The recent growth in the economy has provided an opportunity to introduce new jobs and services while improving the quality of development. Commercial and industrial uses have added to Union City's fiscal capacity to provide public services. The General Plan's policies will determine the use of remaining major development sites which represent opportunities to increase sales tax and property tax revenues for the City. Challenges include:
- · Balancing service needs with revenue-producing land uses
- · Maintaining a variety of housing opportunities
- · Continuing to improve the quality of neighborhoods and commercial addresses
Theme #3: Community Services and Amenities
Union City's residents' expectations are changing. The average age is increasing and the community is becoming more ethnically diverse, affluent, and sophisticated. Union City's existing assets include quality schools, local transit, family-oriented activities and amenities, and commercial recreation activities. There are other quality of life amenities that should be addressed in the General Plan including:
- · Continuing to enhance the transit options for residents and employees
- · Increasing parks and open space
- · Adding recreation facilities
Theme #4: Community Form
Union City is well defined by the Bay and the hills, and primary addresses such as Alvarado-Niles Road. There are many special places in the city including the hills, Hall Ranch Park, Old Alvarado, the landmark Masonic Home, Union Landing, and social gathering places such as Logan High School. However, the community also has design challenges including:
- · Overcoming physical barriers of railroad lines and the freeway
- · Locations for new parks
- · Enhancing linkages between neighborhoods
Theme #5: Health, Seniors, Youth and Families
A Youth, Family and Health Element has been added to the General Plan by the City Council. The Element will reflect the social values of Union City. It will establish both the goals and strategies for improving the quality of life of young people and families. The process will need to bring many organizations and individuals together as partners in both planning and implementing programs and projects identified in the Element. The partners will first discuss how to:
- · Increase cultural programs and facilities
- · Bring partners together
- · Prioritize projects to create win-win scenarios for partners
Schedule | Community Participation | Concepts and Strategies |