What is the purpose of the General Plan?

The Town of Gilbert’s General Plan is the Community’s long-range guide for future physical, economic and social development decisions over the next 20+ years. The General Plan contains a vision statement, along with maps, goals, policies and implementation strategies that address issues such as growth, housing, economic development, transportation, environment, parks and open space, community design, and preservation and conservation.

What topics does the General Plan address?

There are both State-mandated and optional “elements,” or topics, that go into a General Plan. State law requires that a General Plan for a community the size of Gilbert address the following core elements:

• Land Use
• Circulation
• Open Space
• Growth Areas
• Environment
• Cost of Development
• Water Resources
• Conservation
• Recreation
• Public Facilities
• Housing
• Rehabilitation and Redevelopment
• Safety
• Bicycling
• Energy
• Preservation
• Revitalization

To maintain Gilbert’s innovative and forward-thinking culture, the General Plan may also include additional elements that cover topics such as Health and Wellness, Education and Innovation, and Arts and Culture.