Long-range goals are the heart of the General Plan. Within this Community Vision, the goals are citywide in nature, and quite general. The long-range goals in each functional element of the General Plan are much more specific, focusing on the subject matter of that element. General Plan goals are long-range in nature and are generally mission based. They are comprehensive, covering the full range of physical, social and economic aspirations.
General Plan goals are generally not prioritized; each one is as important as all others in charting the long-range course for the city. The comprehensive and general nature of the goals give the General Plan a semblance of a constitution. Goals are the inspiration, constraints, touchstones, and context upon which unforeseen future decisions and actions may be based. Like the elements of a constitution, the goals are long lasting, and modified only infrequently through a comprehensive and potentially lengthy process.
Following are fifteen citywide goals which are reflective of the Community Vision and which provide context and direction for the more specific long range goals in each functional element.
I. LONG-RANGE PLANNING: To engage in long-range physical, fiscal and economic development planning so as to create and sustain an outstanding quality of life in a community with appropriate balances between jobs and residences, development and supporting infrastructure, and the demand for services and the fiscal ability to provide them.
Sunnyvale accepts the expected growth in its population and jobs over the next two decades, and plans to accommodate that growth in a manner which preserves the character of the city and its neighborhoods. By utilizing the principles of Smart Growth, the city will direct residential development to Downtown, to mixed use development in other nodes with high transit access, and to areas designated for conversion from industrial to residential uses. Job growth will be focused in the Moffett Park and Peery Park areas, both of which have excellent freeway access. Careful land use planning, and the imposition of transportation, park, housing, school and utility impact fees on new development, will assure that proper balances are maintained among uses and between uses and the public facilities which serve them.
II. ATTRACTIVE COMMUNITY: To maintain and enhance the appearance of Sunnyvale, and to distinguish it from surrounding communities, through the promotion of high quality architecture, the preservation of historic districts and structures, the maintenance of a healthy urban forest, and the provision of abundant and attractive open space.
The physical attractiveness of a city is a major contributing factor and manifestation of its high quality of life. The form and features of the city should create a place with which residents identify and which visitors can understand. Lacking strong natural boundaries and natural landmarks, Sunnyvale must utilize manmade gateways, landmarks and special districts to establish its identity. Since much of the experience of the city is from and along public rights-of-way, a healthy canopy of attractive street trees and well landscaped medians and parkways can create a lasting positive impression. Likewise, the insistence upon well designed private development and a high level of maintenance of public spaces reflect the high standards of the city and its people.
III. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: To promote environmental sustainability and remediation in the planning and development of the city, in the design and operation of public and private buildings, in the transportation system, in the use of potable water, and in the recycling of waste.
Sustainability is a practice of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It requires the utilization of natural resources at rates no greater than nature can replace them. There is a growing awareness that our planet’s environment is fragile, and that every person and every community must do its part to protect the environment. Past environmental degradation must be remediated. The City will seek opportunities to utilize “green” practices in its operation and delivery of services, and encourage residents and businesses to adopt such practices. These might include reduced use of non-renewable energy, reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, greater recycling of waste and use of recycled materials, reduced per capita use of potable water, green building design, and reduced storm water runoff.
IV. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY: To maintain Sunnyvale’s traditional high level of public health and safety, so that all residents, employees and visitors feel safe at all times and in all places in the city.
The people and businesses of Sunnyvale take great pride and comfort in the city’s high level of public health and safety. These feelings are attributable to a well balanced service delivery including effective law enforcement, a quality park and recreation system, an outstanding library, clean streets, vigilant code enforcement, and a community culture which does not tolerate anti-social behavior. The future challenge is not so much to improve public health and safety as it is to maintain the high level of public health and safety which is currently enjoyed.
V. DIVERSE POPULATION: To celebrate the diversity of the population and to provide equal opportunity for all residents to participate fully in community life.
Sunnyvale’s knowledge-based economy has attracted a diverse population in which individuals are judged more on their personal abilities and traits than upon their ethnicity, national origin, age or lifestyle. Despite this acceptance of diversity, there are few opportunities to celebrate our differences or learn more about each other’s culture. Some groups in the community participate more fully in civic affairs than others, and wield more influence on public decision-making. Sunnyvale can create opportunities which will draw all residents to participate fully in the life of the community.
VI. AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS: To provide a variety of housing options by style, size, density and tenure, so that all segments of the population may find appropriate high quality housing in Sunnyvale that is affordable to them.
The City of Sunnyvale does not build housing, but through its land use regulations it can influence and control the type and quality of housing that is developed. Sunnyvale cannot have a major impact on the regional housing market which drives the high cost of housing, but it can take steps to provide and protect affordable housing within its boundaries. The City has historically lead the way in affordable housing and will continue to do so in the future.
VII. QUALITY EDUCATION: To support and work cooperatively with the educational institutions which serve Sunnyvale so as to provide the opportunity for a quality education for all youth, and life-long learning for all residents.
Excellent public education is an essential ingredient to a high quality of life. For many families with young children, the quality of the schools is a primary determinant of where they will chose to live. Although the City of Sunnyvale does not have jurisdictional authority over public education, it can help maintain a quality educational system by working closely with the school districts that serve the city. It can share facilities with the schools (as is now the case with school playfields), help schools build community partnerships, provide safe places for youth to gather for positive activity outside of school hours, and provide excellent public library services.
VIII. OUTSTANDING RECREATION, ARTS, AND CULTURE: To provide outstanding recreation programs, library services, and visual and performing arts to meet the interests and needs of the diverse population.
A complete community provides its residents not only employment opportunities to realize income, but also leisure activities to stimulate the mind, body and spirit. Sunnyvale has long been recognized for its diverse recreational programs and popular library. Less well represented are visual and performing arts, to be enjoyed either as a participating artist or as a spectator. Sunnyvale residents must often travel to other nearby communities to enjoy theater, concerts or dance. This cultural and entertainment “leakage”, like the present leakage of retail purchases, provides an opportunity for development of more visual and performing arts programs and venues within the city.
IX. DYNAMIC DOWNTOWN: To create and support a strong and attractive traditional downtown which serves as the community’s central marketplace, common gathering place, and symbolic center.
The vitality and attractiveness of Sunnyvale are not reflected in its Downtown today. Vacant storefronts and a shuttered mall suggest a distressed community, lacking in positive identity. It is clear that both the desire of the public and the demand of the market are to recreate a traditional downtown of shops, restaurants, offices, and residences, as a common gathering place, central market place and symbolic center for the City of Sunnyvale.
X. ROBUST ECONOMY: To retain, attract and support strong and innovative businesses, which provide quality jobs for the city’s workforce, tax revenue to support public services, and a positive reputation for Sunnyvale as a center of creativity and productivity.
Sunnyvale sits in the very center of the Silicon Valley, world renowned for its innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. The businesses which have grown up in the community bring wealth to its residents and cutting edge products to the world market. But the competition for such businesses, among the cities of the region and among similar regions throughout the world, is intense. To maintain its position of predominance, Sunnyvale must continue to provide opportunities for strong and innovative businesses, both large and small, including start-up companies and headquarters of large successful companies, to locate in the city; and it must strengthen its reputation as a business friendly community.
XI. BALANACED TRANSPORTATION: To provide and maintain a balanced multi-modal transportation system which provides choice, convenience, and efficiency for the movement of people and goods.
A modern multi-modal transportation system consists of streets and freeways, mass transit, bikeways and walkways. While in the foreseeable future the private automobile will continue to be the dominant mode of travel, a reasonable balance of the other modes is necessary to conserve energy, reduce air pollution, reduce congestion and provide convenient conveyance for those without ready access to an automobile. The system must have the physical capacity to expand as the city grows, and must have access to sufficient financial resources to support that expansion.
XII. SUPPORTIVE UTILITIES: To provide and maintain water, sewer, solid waste disposal, and drainage facilities that are safe, efficient, and reliable, and which can develop sufficient capacity to meet the expected growth of the city.
The health, safety, and quality of life of a city is dependent upon the quality of its supporting infrastructure, including water distribution, sanitary sewer system, solid waste collection and disposal, and surface drainage. Much of the utility infrastructure serving Sunnyvale has been in place for many years, requiring a high level of maintenance and replacement. In addition, the City must be prepared to expand the capacity of that infrastructure in step with population and economic growth so as to maintain the overall quality of life.
XIII. COMMUNITY IDENTITY: To foster a strong sense of community which promotes participation in civic affairs, community pride, and a sense of place.
A community’s identity influences the willingness of residents to become involved, and ultimately the ability of the City to accomplish its municipal goals. Residents must take pride in their community, and have faith that they can make a difference; otherwise they will not participate and feel that they have a stake in the future. City-wide public events reinforce a sense of community, and physical landmarks, districts, and gateways help to create a sense of place.
Sunnyvale’s goal is to create a community with which all residents identify, so that they are prepared to work together to plan and to take actions to build a better community.
XIV. CARING COMMUNITY: To provide support for those in the community who are not able to fully support themselves, so that all residents may enjoy the city’s high quality of life.
Sunnyvale is fortunate that most residents are physically, mentally, and financially able to support themselves. A caring community provides support for those among them who are not fully self-supporting. Although responsibility for health and welfare programs rests primarily with the county, state, and federal governments, Sunnyvale can play a role to ensure that its residents have access to those services, to support local non-profit agencies which fill gaps in those services, to provide facilities in targeted areas of need for delivery of those services (such as the Columbia Neighborhood Center), and to promote housing which is affordable to low-income households, the elderly, and those with special physical or mental needs.
XV. RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT: To continue to provide local governance which meets the many and diverse needs of the people and businesses, which is managed to be efficient, effective and compassionate, and which welcomes public participation in an open and accountable public decision making process.
The Council-Manager form of governance has proven to be the right structure for the City of Sunnyvale. Through this structure, and through the commitment and innovation of elected and appointed leaders over time, the City has been able to attain a reputation as being responsive, efficient, and customer serving. It is also generally considered to be an open and accessible government. Such a reputation is difficult to build, but easy to lose unless the people of Sunnyvale and their elected and appointed leaders vigilantly demand that exceptional level of local governance.
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