April 1, 2010 --A Planning Commission workshop will take place Wednesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School regarding the draft update to the Land Use & Circulation Element (LUCE) of the City’s General Plan.

The workshop will be an initial step prior to a series of so-far unscheduled Planning Commission and City Council hearings on the document.

The two government bodies have had brief sessions on the LUCE since it was released in November, but no formal hearings have taken place.

When finalized, the LUCE will establish Santa Monica’s land use and transportation policies for the next two decades.

It contains many slow-growth features, but also gives opportunities for commercial development, including on the east end of the City where several projects have been proposed.

The public comment period on the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the LUCE concluded last month.

The City’s consultant is preparing responses that will be included in the Final EIR. The LUCE must be approved by the City Council before becoming an official document.

To view the LUCE and the draft EIR, as well as other related information, go to: www.shapethefuture2025.net.