MISSION

The Community Development Department supports the City's Vision and Mission by providing professional planning services to the City. The Department promotes quality of life in Gonzales through careful attention to the City’s physical and social development requirements. The Department promotes economic development consistent with the City Council’s goals and City’s adopted plans and programs.

PROGRAMS

The Department processes applications for all physical development involving private land, including Conditional Use Permits, Site Plan Permits, Sign Permits, and subdivision and parcel maps. The Department works closely with applicants, other City Departments, and County, State, and Federal agencies to ensure development conforms to requirements and the best contemporary practices. The Department manages environmental review for projects and supports the Planning Commission and City Council, and is also responsible for maintaining and updating the Zoning Ordinance and Gonzales General Plan. Other activities include building assistance, the loan program, Downtown Revitalization, interagency coordination, grant applications and administration, and affordable housing programs. The Department also works on economic development through outreach assistance to property owners and developers in promoting the City.

GOALS 

New initiatives will be carefully managed and limited due to budget constraints.  New project review activities will be undertaken only upon receipt of application fees or reimbursement agreements from applicants or when assigned through the City Manager. Efforts will be focused on completing projects for which funding is in place. 

PENDING ANNEXATIONS TO EXPAND CITY BOUNDARY

In 2019, Pembrook Development and Jackson Family Investments submitted their respective annexation applications to the City of Gonzales for the Vista Lucia and Puente del Monte Specific Plan.  The two Specific Plans and annexation projects combined will result in the development of approximately 6,200 residential units (apartments, SFD on various sized lots, duplexes, triplexes, etc.) as well as appurtenant public infrastructure to include roads, drainage, schools, and parks on the combined total acreage of 1,318 (Vista Lucia Specific Plan = 768 acres and Puente del Monte Specific Plan = 585 acres).  These two developments are anticipated to occur over 20 to 30 years.  The Vista Lucia project will result in 3,500 residential units, and the Puente del Monte project will result in approximately 2,600 units.  The Vista Lucia Specific Plan and annexation will be followed by the Puente del Monte Specific Plan and annexation by approximately six months.

The Community Development Department anticipates the release of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Vista Lucia Specific Plan and annexation (“the project”) for a 45-day public review in July/August 2021.  During this public review period, a public meeting will occur to solicit comments regarding the environmental document; written comments are also part of the public review process.  The public review period will result in the preparation of a Final EIR.  This will be followed by the mandated Planning Commission and City Council meetings where the Planning Commission will review the EIR and Specific Plan and forward their recommendation to the City Council.   These two meetings are anticipated to occur in late 2021. 

Upon City Council “certification” of the EIR and approval of the Specific Plan and annexation, City Staff will prepare an “annexation application” to submit to Monterey County LAFCO for their review and approval.  The LAFCO Commission consideration should occur by April/May 2022.  Following LAFCO's review and approval of annexation, the City will work with the applicant to finalize the Specific Plan and Development Agreement.  Grading and trenching for the Vista Lucia project are anticipated to start in 2023.  Following the annexation approval by LAFCO and completing the Specific Plans and Development Agreements for each project area, real estate will be sold off in blocks to developers.

 

Gonzales maintains an active Employee Housing Program established by the California Housing and Community Development Department.  

The Employee Housing Program oversees the construction, maintenance, use, and occupancy of privately owned or -operated employee housing facilities providing housing for five or more employees to assure their health, safety, and general welfare. The State Department of Housing and Community Development monitors Gonzales' program regularly and assists with regulatory compliance. 

Broadband services are available in Gonzales.

The following Internet Service Providers have supplied the following information. 

Charter Communications

Spectrum Internet offers the best value to ensure you stay connected at the best price, with speeds up to 940 Mbps. Want more? Spectrum gives you a FREE modem, FREE antivirus, and we never cap your data usage. Make sure to add fast in-home WiFi so you can stream your favorite shows using multiple devices. Stuck in a contract? We’ll buy it out up to $500!

Call to learn more: 1-833-694-9256 or visit: Spectrum.com

 

T-Mobile 
Wi-Fi Service with a Hotspot ranges from $10-$95
Unlimited Data for tablets: $20 with cellular service.
TV Service will be offered in the upcoming months.
More information www.t-mobile.com

 

Cruzio

Cruzio offers broadband connectivity in Gonzales

Cruzio, established in 1989, connects businesses and residences with multi-gigabit fiber internet, enterprise-grade wireless internet, and other internet and web services. To get a quote for service, or to talk to our team about a project, go to cruzio.com/contact.

 

 

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Contact Info

Community Development Department
Email
Street Address
147 Fourth St., Gonzales, CA
Hours
Sun: Closed
Mon - Fri: 8:00 am-12:30 pm, 1:30 pm-5:00 pm
Sat: Closed
Phone Number

Community Development Director

Taven M. Kinison Brown

How do I's

Community Action Grants

Measure K Advisory Committee