In consultation with the General Plan Working Group and with the input of the community at large (including residents, property owners, business owners, and stakeholders), a vision statement was crafted to capture the key values and aspirations expressed by the community for the future of Rio Vista. The vision statement is also a description of an ideal future for the community to work towards.

In addition, guiding principles were prepared for making the vision statement a reality. Guiding principles will serve as guideposts for the creation of goals, policies, and implementation measures contained within the General Plan. These principles expand on the main ideas contained in the vision statement, so that important concepts are given more weight.

DRAFT VISION STATEMENT
In 2045, Rio Vista will be a thriving waterfront community with small-town charm and a strong sense of community. We will be a diverse, inclusive and safe place to live, learn, work, and play for all generations. Rio Vista supports and values local businesses, the arts and community events; welcoming visitors from around the region. We will be stewards of the environment and honor our agricultural and cultural heritage in the Sacramento River Delta region. We will remain true to these values to maintain a high quality of life, economic prosperity, and opportunity for our residents.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES
As Rio Vista looks to the General Plan 2045 horizon, the community’s potential to grow outward appears limited by physical constraints such as the Sacramento River and historic natural gas facilities and by land ownership that does not appear supportive of development. Due to these constraints new development is expected to focus inward into the existing community and the following Guiding Principles will inform City decisions to promote the quality of life, economic prosperity, and opportunities desired by our residents and visitors to Rio Vista:

1. Revitalize Downtown and the Waterfront District. Promote a downtown that is a vibrant destination with unique retail, entertainment, arts, dining, and lodging options. Support and attract businesses. Provide the infrastructure needed to support growth in the downtown and waterfront area. Promote, incentivize and foster the expansion of retail, commercial and housing uses in the downtown and waterfront area. Preserve the historic character of downtown while supporting new development.

2. Improve Mobility and Access for All Users. Provide a safe, efficient, and accessible roadway system that serves the mobility needs of all users. Improve the City’s circulation network to provide safe travel for pedestrians, bicyclist, vehicles, and trucks. Efficiently move people and goods without compromising quality of life, safety, and smooth traffic flow for residents and businesses.

3. Support a Variety of Housing Options. Encourage a mix of housing types to create diverse neighborhoods that meet the needs of all Rio Vista residents. Promote the building, retention, and renovation of housing to meet the needs of all incomes, ages, and abilities.

4. Foster a Sustainable Community. Plan for public facilities that respond to the community’s growing needs and a changing environment. Ensure today's needs are met without jeopardizing the community's ability to meet future needs. Promote high-quality, long-lasting development that allows residents to meet daily needs, such as education of our children, shopping, employment, and recreation, in close proximity to their homes. Encourage resource-efficient building techniques, materials, and other principles of green building design in new building construction and renovations.

5. Offer Recreational Opportunities. Ensure all residents have easy access to recreational opportunities, such as parks, play fields, river frontage, walking and biking paths and trails. Expand parks and recreational programs to serve both residents and visitors. Provide a variety of sports and activities for Rio Vista residents of all ages.

6. Foster Economic Growth. Promote a strong local economy by fostering the growth and expansion of a diversified business community. Support businesses that create a wide range of jobs for Rio Vista's resident workforce. Make forward-thinking investments that position Rio Vista to be successful in an evolving economy.

7. Promote Fiscal Strength. Plan land uses at the appropriate scale and intensity, and location to provide the right balan

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Draft Rio Vista Vision Statement and Guiding Principles