San Fernando Downtown Master Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Downtown Master Plan?

The City of San Fernando is currently developing a Master Plan for Downtown San Fernando. Identified as one of the priorities in the City’s 2022-2027 Strategic Goals, the Downtown Master Plan will help guide the future development and revitalization of the City’s historic downtown area, which encompasses approximately 60 city blocks or 185 acres around San Fernando Road and Maclay Avenue. While the City’s ultimate goal is to facilitate the long-term success of Downtown San Fernando as a thriving, vibrant, and resilient destination for both locals and visitors, the objectives of this planning effort will be to:

• Study Downtown San Fernando;

• Engage the San Fernando community;

• Develop a community-driven vision for Downtown San Fernando; and

• Recommend strategies for how to implement the community’s vision.

What is a master plan and why does Downtown San Fernando need one?

A master plan is a document that establishes the vision, or desired future state, of a specified area Informed by community input, a master plan contains a conceptual layout of future development and improvements within the specific area and is accompanied by goals and recommended strategies for how to achieve the community’s vision. Generally, a master plan is used by a City to guide future actions, such as changes to land use and development regulations, capital improvement projects, and other City programs to enable change.

Although development in Downtown San Fernando is currently

regulated by both the City’s General Plan (1987) and the Corridors Specific Plan (2017), the downtown has experienced significant change in the past few years that may require a different approach to the future than what is already established in these two documents. Some of those changes include the lasting impacts of COVID-19, climate change, the housing crisis, a shift to working from home, and the growing prevalence of online retail and app-based dining, among others. As a result, the City wishes to work with the community and stakeholders to establish a new vision for Downtown San Fernando that will help guide future development and revitalization and enhance its economic vitality, livability, and sense of place.

Where can I find more information?

Visit: www.sfdowntownmasterplan.com, or scan the QR-link:

What will be the final outcome of this project?

For this effort, the City is embarking on a 3-phase process:

• Phase 1 will consist of analysis, including identifying potential issues and opportunities across the broad topics of land use, mobility, economics, real estate, parking, the built environment, and the public realm. In this phase, the City will engage the community for their concerns, ideas, and aspirations for the future.

• Phase 2 will consist of developing and testing different scenarios for the future of Downtown San Fernando. The community will again be engaged for their input and preference on each of the scenarios.

• Phase 3 will consist of refining the community’s preferred scenario for the future of Downtown San Fernando. The outcome will be a Downtown Master Plan, a document that will contain the community’s vision and an action plan for how best to achieve that vision. The Master Plan will be used by the City to guide future actions, such as changes to land use and development regulations, capital improvement projects, and other economic development programs to help revitalize Downtown San Fernando.

Who is conducting this project?

The San Fernando Downtown Master Plan is being conducted by a consultant team on behalf of the City of San Fernando. The consultant team includes professionals in planning, urban design, transportation, economic development, and community outreach and engagement. The consultant team is being led by Dudek and supported by HR&A, Walker Consultants, Place It!, and Proboslky Research.

How is this project being funded?

The San Fernando Downtown Master Plan is being funded in part by grant funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 which provided funds to local governments to support their response to and recovery from the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How can I become involved in this project?

Visit our website for more information on how to:

• Sign up for our mailing list to receive email updates about project progress and upcoming events.

• Attend any one of our 3 scheduled community events.

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

• Take our online survey.

• Attend a public hearing with Planning Commission or City Council.

• Contact Kanika Kith, Deputy City Manager at kkith@sfcity.org or call (818) 898-7316.

How can I participate if English is not my preferred language?

All outreach and engagement materials for this project will be provided in both English and Spanish. In addition, project events will be staffed by both English- and Spanish-speaking translators. For translation accommodations in other languages, please call the City Clerk Department at (818) 898-1204 or cityclerk@sfcity.org at least 48 hours prior a scheduled project event.

How can I participate if I need special assistance or accommodation?

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if you require a disability-related

modification or accommodation to attend or participate in a project event, please call the City Clerk Department at (818) 898-1204 or cityclerk@sfcity.org at least 48 hours prior a scheduled project event.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Walking Workshop last Saturday! We walked around Downtown San Fernando as we talked about the issues and ideas most important to the community.

Over the next few months, the project team will use your feedback to create different scenarios for the future of Downtown San Fernando. We will share these options with the community at our second community scheduled for the summer.

Couldn’t join us? No problem! Visit our website to take our brief online survey, available in both English and Spanish: www.SFDowntownMasterPlan.com.