Joint Antioch Council-Planning Commission General Plan Update Kickoff Meeting Oct. 21
Community input wanted during two-year process
By City of Antioch
Join us for the General Plan Update Kickoff Meeting on Tuesday, October 21st at 6:00 PM at the Antioch Community Center in Prewett Family Park at 4703 Lone Tree Way.
This special joint session with the City Council and Planning Commission will serve as a “General Plan 101” and is a great opportunity to learn how Antioch plans for the future and how YOU can get involved!
Every city and county in California is required by state law to prepare and maintain a planning document called a General Plan. A General Plan is designed to serve as the jurisdiction’s “constitution” or “blueprint” for future decisions concerning land use, social issues, circulation, recreation, infrastructure, public services, environment, and resource conservation. This General Plan Update will ensure Antioch addresses recent changes in state law, proactively plans for future challenges and opportunities, prioritizes economic growth and vitality, and builds upon the City’s unique heritage and community-focused
atmosphere. The update, through each element, will provide a basis for local decision making and involves the community in the process of identifying goals and policies to define how the City should respond to needs for physical development over time.
On August 26, 2025, the City Council selected the De Novo Planning Group team to prepare its General Plan Update. The team’s subconsultants will provide technical expertise: W-trans (traffic and circulation), EPS (economic development and fiscal sustainability), Kearns & West (community outreach), and Cogstone Resource Management (cultural and historical resources).
The process will occur over the next two years with the Draft General Plan to be issued in January 2027 and final adoption by the Council in July or August 2027.
The Council and Commission will hear and see the presentation from De Novo Planning Group regarding the General Plan Update process and provide staff and the consultant with input regarding the following:
Opportunities, Issues, and Priorities
1. What are the top three most critical issues or opportunities you believe this General Plan Update must address to best serve Antioch’s future?
2. Are there any specific geographic areas or corridors within Antioch (e.g., the waterfront, specific commercial districts, a neighborhood) that you feel require special attention or a focused vision during this process?
3. Beyond fulfilling state requirements, what key achievement or outcome will define this General Plan Update as a success for the City of Antioch?
General Plan Advisory Committee
The Council and Commission will also discuss forming an advisory committee.
To ensure the General Plan Update receives consistent and focused feedback, an advisory committee is often established. The structure of this committee is a key decision that shapes how community and technical input is integrated into the process. We seek direction on whether one should be established, and, if so, the preferred model for Antioch. Common options include:
• Option A: Community-Based Advisory: This is a committee appointed by the City Council, typically composed of 9 to 15 residents, business owners, and community stakeholders who represent a diversity of geographic areas, interests, and demographic backgrounds. With this approach, the GPAC would hold a series of public meetings to discuss General Plan topics and provide an opportunity for public comment. Locally, the City of Brentwood and Contra Costa County have used this approach for their General Plan Updates.
• Option B: Technical Advisory Committee: This approach relies on a committee of technical experts from City departments (e.g., Planning, Public Works, Economic Development) and key partner agencies (e.g., school districts, regional transit, utility providers). The TAC ensures the plan is technically feasible and coordinated. In this model, broader public input is gathered primarily through the visioning workshops, open houses, and focused community meetings rather than a standing citizen committee. The City of Pittsburg employed this approach for its recent General Plan Update.
• Option C: Hybrid Model with the Planning Commission: In this streamlined model, the Planning Commission serves as the primary advisory body, holding dedicated study sessions throughout the process to provide policy guidance. This approach prioritizes efficiency, leveraging the Commission’s existing knowledge of land use issues and is often supplemented by a staff-level TAC for technical review.
Let’s talk about the big picture: growth, housing, transportation, parks and more. Your voice matters in shaping the future of Antioch.
Click to read the meeting agenda.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
the attachments to this post:
Antioch GP Update Summary of Process
Antioch GP Update Schedule
Jt ACC & PC Mtg
