Throughout 2025, Permit Sonoma facilitated more than 50 public engagement events and gathered community feedback to develop a draft vision statement and guiding principles. Building on that foundation, staff are now working with a consultant to prepare a public engagement plan and developing an Existing Conditions and Trends Report. These next steps will help guide engagement throughout the planning process and establish baseline information on current conditions to inform policy development. The engagement plan will be available for public review and comment by late March. The conditions report will likely be released soon thereafter.

While detailed outreach activities are not yet being scheduled, the General Plan Update will include numerous opportunities for participation over the next three years, including:

• Public review and comment on the public engagement plan
• Public release and review of the Existing Conditions and Trends Report
• Community workshops and stakeholder meetings during alternatives development (which will address all elements — including agriculture)
• Public development and review of draft goals, policies, and plan components
• Environmental review with formal public comment periods
• Public hearings prior to adoption

The best way to receive updates on the release of upcoming materials, meeting announcements, and opportunities to provide input is to become a member of the DCVA and receive our Email Newsletter.