In 2017, Barry Miller was retained by the City of San Rafael to prepare and manage its General Plan Update. San Rafael, the county seat and economic hub of Marin County, is located 15 miles north of San Francisco. As it planned for 2040, this community of about 60,000 residents faced an acute housing shortage, traffic congestion, a changing economic base, and increasing flood risks associated with sea level rise. The General Plan established a clear path for San Rafael to remain a thriving city with a vibrant downtown, strong neighborhoods, high-quality community services, and a distinct identity.

  The San Rafael 2040 General Plan places a strong emphasis on social and economic equity, including a new General Plan Element dedicated to these issues. Much of Marin County’s workforce lives in San Rafael, and nearly one-quarter of its households are lower-income renters employed primarily in service industries. New policies and programs address affordable housing, pedestrian and bicycle safety, park improvements, and expanded retail choices. The Plan also emphasizes resilience, recognizing that many homes and jobs are located in areas vulnerable to tidal flooding. Additional priorities include historic preservation, open space management, creek restoration, and redevelopment of an aging regional mall. The Plan anticipates an additional 2,500 households and 5,000 jobs by 2040, nearly all on previously developed sites.

As project manager, Barry was responsible for authoring the Plan, managing all subcontractors, and leading an extensive community engagement program. This included staffing 30 monthly meetings of a 24-member Steering Committee, organizing community workshops, and supporting Planning Commission and City Council meetings. Barry also secured grant funding and managed a Downtown Plan and Form-Based Code, prepared concurrently with the General Plan and adopted in 2021. He was subsequently selected to prepare the City’s 2023–2031 Housing Element, certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development in June 2023.