The Draft General Plan Elements are now available for public review. We encourage residents, businesses, and stakeholders to review the draft documents and share their comments as the City updates its long-term plan for future growth and development.

In preparation of the Draft General Plan Elements, a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) was prepared and is available to the public for review. As mandated by state law, the public review period for this document is 45 days. The comment period will begin on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, and will end Thursday, August 20, 2026. Click here to view the Draft EIR.

A physical copy of the Draft General Plan Elements and EIR are available to view at:

• 11111 Brookshire Avenue - City Hall - Planning Division public counter at the 1st floor. 
• 11121 Brookshire Avenue - Downey City Library - Front desk counter.
• 7810 Quille Drive - Barbra J. Riley Community & Senior Center - Front desk counter.

To view the draft Elements, see links below!

Public review of Draft General Plan Elements.

• Chapter 1 - Introduction
• Chapter 2 - Land Use
• Chapter 3 - Circulation
• Chapter 4 Housing Element (Link to the adopted Housing Element, adopted October 11, 2022)
• Chapter 5 - Economic Development
• Chapter 6 - Open Space
• Chapter 7 - Conservation 
• Chapter 8 - Environmental Justice
• Chapter 9 - Safety 
• Chapter 10 - Noise
• Chapter 11 - Design and Cultural Resources

The City of Downey held a workshop on April 22, 2026, specifically for properties directly affected by the ongoing General Plan and Zoning Map update. Staff was able to explain the Zoning and Land Use changes that were proposed to either align land use designation and zoning, align long term existing use on the property, and additional opportunity for housing. 

The presentation can be viewed here!

A summary of the workshop result will be available soon.

All proposed General Plan and Zoning Map changes can be viewed with an interactive map! Call the Planning Division at 562-904-7154 for any questions!

This project is considered a project of statewide, regional or areawide significance pursuant to Section 15206 of the CEQA Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15082(c) the City will hold a Scoping Meeting. The purpose of the scoping meeting is to solicit comments of adjacent cities, responsible agencies, trustee agencies, and interested parties requesting notice as to the appropriate scope and content of the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR).

The public scoping meeting was held on Thursday April 2, 2026 at 3 p.m. The meeting included a brief presentation of the project, the EIR process, and the topics to be analyzed in the EIR. Following the presentation, attendees were given the opportunity to offer their views concerning what environmental issues should be included in the PEIR.

The Public Scoping Meeting was a web-based video conference that was accessed at the following link during the aforementioned date and time:

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81496807995 

Meeting ID: 814 9680 7995

Passcode: 016377

You can find the meeting presentation here: Scoping Meeting Presentation Slides

A recording of the meeting is available here: Scoping Meeting Video Recording

The Notice of Preparation (NOP) comment period closes at 5 PM on April 13, 2026.

The City of Downey is updating its General Plan, a long-term guide to how the city will evolve over the next 20 years. This comprehensive plan will shape decisions on housing, business development, parks, transportation, public safety, city services, environmental sustainability, and overall community well-being. It reflects the community’s vision and values, helping ensure that future changes support a thriving, inclusive, and resilient Downey.

The City's last General Plan was adopted on January 25, 2005, and has a horizon year of 2025. This new update will create the vision through 2045.

Why is a General Plan Important?

• Community Engagement: The planning process involves input from residents, stakeholders, and local organizations, fostering a sense of community ownership and collaboration.
• Development: It provides a framework for decision-making, helping city officials, developers, and residents understand the priorities and standards for growth.
• Sustainability: A well-crafted general plan promotes sustainable practices, balancing economic growth with environmental change to create a resilient community.
• Long-term Vision: It helps the city anticipate future challenges and opportunities, ensuring that growth is managed thoughtfully and strategically.

Downey General Plan Elements

The Downey General Plan sets forth the city’s vision for growth and development in 10 chapters, called “elements,” each focused on a key aspect of community development. For each element—Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Open Space, Conservation, Safety, Noise, Environmental Justice, Design, and Economic Development—the General Plan includes goals and policies that provide guidance for decisions that will have long-term effect, with the overarching goal to preserve the qualities that define Downey while managing change. Some of these elements are required by state law, while others are optional and have been included to address priorities and needs specific to Downey.

Required Elements (Required by State Law):

• Land Use Element: Guides how land is used and developed to support a balanced mix of housing, jobs, and community amenities.
• Circulation Element: Plans for safe and efficient movement of people and goods via streets, transit, walking, and biking.
• Housing Element: Addresses current and future housing needs through policies that support housing production, affordability, and equity. The Housing Element was adopted in 2022 and will not be updated as part of this effort.
• Open Space Element:  Protects and enhances parks, recreational areas, and natural spaces for public enjoyment and ecological health.
• Conservation Element: Promotes the responsible use and protection of natural resources, including water, energy, and air quality.
• Safety Element: Reduces risks from natural and human-made hazards such as earthquakes, flooding, and climate impacts.
• Noise Element: Minimizes the impact of noise on residents, schools, and sensitive uses through planning and design.
• Environmental Justice Element (New). State law requires General Plans to address the fair distribution of community benefits and reduce environmental burdens on all people, regardless of income, race, or ethnicity. Downey’s Environmental Justice Element aims to prevent disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities and promote a more inclusive, healthy, and equitable city.

  Optional Elements (Optional Elements with Local Relevance to Downey):

• Design Element: Encourages high-quality architecture, public spaces, and streetscapes that contribute to a vibrant and welcoming city.

• Economic Development Element: Supports a diverse, resilient economy by attracting investment, expanding job opportunities, and strengthening local businesses.

How to get involved?

The City will engage the community through various outreach activities over the summer and fall 2025 and early 2026. Stay tuned for opportunities to provide input. Everyone is encouraged to participate!

If you want to be notified when there is an update, you can subscribe by email, here.

What have we done so far?

Pop-Up Events - We have made community engagement easy by bringing the General Plan project to family-oriented events in Downey. At local “pop-up” events such, we've talked to residents of all ages and encouraged them to share ideas, concerns, and visions. This approach builds into the General Plan the values and needs of people who live, work, and raise families here.

Recent Pop-Up Events

• Men's Health Wellness Event - June 7, 2025 - A health-focused event where staff was available to discuss the General Plan and gather feedback related to residential density, land use, and how future development should be shaped and located throughout the city.

• Touch-A-Truck Event - May 17, 2025 - A family-oriented event where staff was be available to discuss the General Plan and gather feedback related to residential density, land use, and how future development should be shaped and located throughout the city.

• Downey Street Faire - May 10, 2025 - A popular community gathering where residents learned about the General Plan and provided input related to broad community values and long-term vision.

• Bunny Patch Event - April 19, 2025 - A popular community gathering where residents learned about the General Plan and provided input related to broad community values and long-term vision.