Hold a public hearing, discuss, consider, and act upon the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-14 regarding adoption of the new 2026 Imagine Sunnyvale Comprehensive Plan.
Staff recommend approval of the 2026 Imagine Sunnyvale Comprehensive Plan.
This is a town-initiated comprehensive plan and future land use map update that is applicable to all properties within the Town of Sunnyvale. The Town of Sunnyvale Strategic Plan 2025 continued emphasis on review and update of the Town’s long-range plans, which includes the Comprehensive Plan. The current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in February of 2017. Conditions both within the Town and in the surrounding municipalities have changed drastically over the last few years. As a result, it is of utmost importance that the new Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map should reflect the realities of today and prepare the Town for future needs.
Town Council had approved a professional services agreement with Houseal Lavigne to develop this long-range planning document in April 2025. Funds were allocated spanning two fiscal years to accomplish this study. Starting with kick-of events and activities during August 6 - 8, 2025 through September 22, 2026, four stages of community engagement were managed by the consultants and the Planning and Development department staff. Public support and feedback were gathered through a visioning workshop, community open house, online survey, stakeholder interviews, and several pop-up events. Detail results and analysis of existing conditions and public input are provided on the project website. The 18-month long planning process has developed a clear community vision, a future land use map, different land use development strategies, and a robust implementation matrix.
The draft Imagine Sunnyvale Comprehensive Plan is organized into nine chapters:
Chapter 1 – Introduction: The Imagine Sunnyvale Comprehensive Plan is a detailed policy document that guides land use, development, and community investment to ensure a high quality of life. The Introduction chapter outlines the purpose of the Plan, provides an overview of the planning process, and identifies the regional context and planning area.
Chapter 2 – Community Profile: The Community Profile chapter summarizes key demographic, housing, and economic trends alongside findings from public engagement. The data informs the vision, goals, and recommendations throughout the Comprehensive Plan.
Chapter 3 – Vision and Goals: The Vision and Goals chapter reflects feedback received from the community throughout the planning process, outlining a vision for the future of Sunnyvale. This chapter includes a vision statement that forms an aspirational narrative and reflects the community’s ideal future for Sunnyvale.
Chapter 4 – Land Use and Development: The Land Use and Development chapter identifies and addresses a range of land use topics such as new growth areas, land use compatibility issues and mitigation strategies, employment development, and conservation areas.
Chapter 5 – Residential Areas: The Residential Areas chapter provides guidance on issues impacting Sunnyvale’s housing and neighborhoods, which contribute to the town’s livability and desirability. It outlines policies to protect property values, maintain neighborhood character, promote conservation subdivision design, and introduce context-sensitive, age-in-place housing options.
Chapter 6 – Commercial and Employment Areas: The Commercial and Employment Areas chapter provides guidance on the Town’s fiscal health and long-term sustainability. This chapter establishes strategies to diversify the tax base, build a pedestrian-oriented Town Center, guide growth along key commercial corridors, and support high-value employment opportunities.
Chapter 7 – Transportation: The Transportation Chapter provides guidance to continue building on the Town's multi-modal transportation network enhancing access, mobility, and connectivity for all users, regardless of mode or ability. This chapter adheres to the 2025 Mobility Plan, provides strategies for maintaining efficient and effective mobility for drivers while expanding alternative transportation options for all users to create a more accessible and well-connected community.
Chapter 8 – Community Facilities and Infrastructure: The Community Facilities and Infrastructure chapter identifies policies related to essential services and public amenities that contribute to resident’s high quality of life. This chapter focuses on municipal facilities, public safety, educational coordination with Sunnyvale ISD, a proposed expanded library and community center, park system enhancements, utility capacity, and open space/floodplain protection.
Chapter 9 – Implementation: The Imagine Sunnyvale Comprehensive Plan is intended to direct future decisions and actions within the Town that support the community’s established vision and goals. The Implementation chapter focuses on realizing the vision for the Plan by providing early implementation priorities, listing potential funding sources, and including strategies for executing policies through a detailed Action Matrix.
The final document incorporates community, Town Council, staff, and multiple stakeholder feedback and input. The Imagine Sunnyvale Comprehensive Plan will support the Town’s strategic vision of “a unique, rural community with small town values…..”. The plan has created a clear and concise land use development strategy to direct future growth of the community, while providing actionable implementation items to aid in successful implementation of the plan over its 20-year lifetime. The 2026 Imagine Comprehensive Plan will be the guiding document for any new development application or potential UDO amendment projects.
Legal notice has been published in Star Local Media on October 9, 2026, related to the public hearing. As of writing this report, the town has not received any response with regards to the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan. Planning and Zoning Commission considered the Comprehensive Plan item at their October 21, 2026 regular meeting.