What is being updated?
California State law requires every city and county to adopt a General Plan that includes seven mandatory elements, as outlined in Government Code Section 65302. These elements are: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Safety, and Noise. In addition, the Environmental Justice Element is required for jurisdictions with disadvantaged communities. Hawthorne has recently (2022) updated and adopted its Housing and Safety Elements and developed a new Environmental Justice Element. While the Housing Element will remain unchanged, the Safety and Environmental Justice Elements may be updated slightly to reflect new legislative requirements and align with other components of the General Plan. The City also has an existing Economic Development Element, which may either remain a standalone element or be integrated with other elements as the update process moves forward. Below is short summary of each element.
Land Use Element: Establishes the types, locations, and intensity of land uses—such as housing, businesses, parks, and public facilities—throughout the city.
Circulation Element: Plans for the movement of people and goods, including automobiles, public transit, bikeways, sidewalks, and connections between neighborhoods and destinations.
Housing Element: Identifies current and future housing needs and outlines policies and programs to provide housing for all income levels, as required by State law. The Housing Element was adopted in August 2022 and will not be changed during this update.
Conservation Element: Focuses on the preservation and management of natural resources like water, energy, air quality, wildlife, and cultural and historic assets.
Open Space Element: Protects and plans for parks, recreational areas, trails, natural habitats, and other open space areas that support health, ecology, and quality of life.
Safety Element: Addresses risks from natural and human-made hazards—such as earthquakes, flooding, wildfires, and climate change—and guides policies to enhance public safety and resilience.
Noise Element: Analyses current and future noise sources and includes strategies to reduce exposure to harmful or disruptive noise, especially near homes, schools, and hospitals.
Environmental Justice Element: Promotes equitable access to a healthy environment, safe housing, and economic opportunities, particularly for communities disproportionately impacted by pollution or underinvestment.
Economic Development Element: Outlines strategies to attract and retain businesses, support job creation, and strengthen the City’s economic base. It promotes a vibrant local economy that benefits residents, employers, and the community as a whole.
