A Blueprint for Community Aspirations: the California General Plan Process
You may have heard that Napa County’s General Plan process is ramping up in 2025—but what exactly is a General Plan?
Often called a community’s “blueprint for the future,” a General Plan sets long-term goals and priorities for housing, transportation, land use, sustainability, open spaces, and more. Under California law, cities and counties are required to adopt and periodically update General Plans.
Napa County’s General Plan was last revised in the summer of 2008, and the forthcoming update is an opportunity for residents to get engaged, voice their views and participate in shaping this critically important document.
Join Napa Valley Community Foundation for an insightful discussion with City Planner and Urban Designer John Rahaim, who will explain the California General Plan Process—what it is, why it matters, and how everyday residents can get involved.
When: February 6, 2025 | 5:30 – 6:30 PM (doors open at 5:00 PM)
Where: Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
RSVP: Below
This event is free and open to the public and hosted by Napa Valley Community Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. It is not affiliated with or sponsored by Napa County government.
About our Speaker
John Rahaim is a City Planner and Urban Designer. In his career, he has focused on housing policy, equitable development, and urban design in three large American cities.
Most recently, Mr. Rahaim was the Planning Director for San Francisco from January 2008 to May 2020, a period when the city experienced its most substantial population growth in nearly a century.
Prior to his appointment in San Francisco, Mr. Rahaim was a planner and urban designer for the cities of Seattle, Washington and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and held adjunct teaching positions at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Washington; since leaving his position in San Francisco he held an adjunct position at Harvard University.
Mr. Rahaim is currently an adjunct professor at the University of California at Berkeley, in the Master of Real Estate+Design program
Mr. Rahaim received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Architecture, with an emphasis on urban design, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Hourly Schedule
- 5:00 - 5:30
- Doors Open
- 5:30 - 6:00
- Keynote Address from John Rahaim
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Speakers:
John Rahaim
- 6:00 - 6:30
- Audience Q&A
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Speakers:
John Rahaim
Speaker
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John RahaimLecturer in Real Estate Development + Design, Berkeley College of Environmental Design
John Rahaim is a City Planner and Urban Designer. In his career, he has focused on housing policy, equitable development, and urban design in three large American cities.
Most recently, Mr. Rahaim was the Planning Director for San Francisco from January 2008 to May 2020, a period when the city experienced its most substantial population growth in nearly a century.
Prior to his appointment in San Francisco, Mr. Rahaim was a planner and urban designer for the cities of Seattle, Washington and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and held adjunct teaching positions at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Washington; since leaving his position in San Francisco he held an adjunct position at Harvard University.
Mr. Rahaim is currently an adjunct professor at the University of California at Berkeley, in the Master of Real Estate+Design program
Mr. Rahaim received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Architecture, with an emphasis on urban design, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
