Downtown Specific Plan

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What is a Specific Plan?

A Specific Plan is a tool authorized by the California Government Code Sections 65450 – 65457 for the systematic implementation of the General Plan in a defined portion of a community’s planning area. A Specific Plan must specify in detail the distribution, location and extent of land uses for the area; public and private facilities proposed to be located in the area and needed to support the land uses; standards and criteria by which development will proceed; standards for the conservation, development, and use of natural resources, where applicable; and a program of implementation measures, including financing measures.

Specific Plan Area

The Downtown Martinez Specific Plan study area covers about 220 acres and is bounded on the north by the Martinez Regional Shoreline and Martinez Waterfront Park; on the east by the Shell Martinez Refinery and a hillside residential area accessed from Miller Avenue; on the south by Susana Street; and on the west by cemeteries, Rankin Park, Talbart and Richardson Avenues, and by Thomas Hill, the bluff to the west of Berrellesa Street. The study area includes the Downtown commercial and civic core and surrounding neighborhoods.

Purpose of the Downtown Specific Plan

The purpose of the Downtown Specific Plan is to guide public and private investment to ensure that future development and infrastructure projects help realize the Martinez community’s goals and visions for the future of Downtown. The principal goals are complementary and are meant to be mutually reinforcing:

To enhance the quality of life for Martinez residents, and
To bring back commercial dynamism to the downtown business area.

The Specific Plan is thus intended to protect and perpetuate the small-town character and quality of life of downtown Martinez; revitalize its economy by strengthening the Downtown business district as a shopping and dining destination for Martinez residents and visitors; capitalize on past investments such as the waterfront, Alhambra Creek, and Intermodal Station; create new housing opportunities for a variety of household types; and preserve and enhance Downtown’s historic small-town character.

Further, the Specific Plan is intended to promote “smart growth” and “sustainable development” in Downtown Martinez, by:

Providing for compact, pedestrian-oriented development.
Providing for denser housing within walking distance of transportation centers.
Taking advantage of existing infrastructure.
Providing for mixed land uses.
Requiring attractive, distinctive design for new development

How the Specific Plan Works

The Specific Plan is designed to establish a vision and development framework for the Downtown and the means to implement that vision. The Plan is being implemented through public investments and private development projects. Implementation is regulated through the Specific Plan's detailed development standards, land use regulations, design standards and guidelines, and the City’s design review process.