Barry Miller, in partnership with Placeworks (then called DC&E), was retained to update the Newark General Plan. Barry had primary responsibility for drafting the Plan, while DC&E produced the EIR. The Update was characterized as a “tune-up”, since it retained the vision embodied by the prior General Plan and made minimal changes to the Land Use Map. The goal was to update baseline data, incorporate recent plans, and move the horizon year to 2035.

Prior to starting on the project, the City contracted with the City and Regional Planning Department at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo to engage its students in data collection and analysis. Students conducted a land use survey, held community workshops, and developed Plan alternatives, providing a foundation for the consultant team to complete the work.  

The updated Newark General Plan includes a new Health and Wellness Element and an Economic Development Element. It incorporates policies on climate change, sustainability, and complete streets. The Plan accommodates 6,000 new housing units over a 25-year period, including approved Specific Plan areas on the perimeter of the city. The Plan also includes policies to improve the historic city center and sustain New Park Mall as a regional center.