From time to time, the City Council undertakes land use studies that focus upon specific City resources or geographical areas that the Council has identified as sensitive to redevelopment pressures and other economic changes. These studies are called Area Plans. The intent of Area Plans is to identify and protect unique and desirable characteristics of areas within the City while defining goals, policies and development regulations to regulate growth in an orderly manner.

 The City has prepared the Area Plans for the South Of Forest Area (SOFA), the Baylands, and El Camino Real. More information regarding these plans is found on the individual Area Plan websites.