The Land Use and Circulation Element establishes a pattern for land use and sets out clear standards for the density of population and the intensity of development for each location. The element establishes a direct tie between the timing, amount, type and location of development with the traffic, service and infrastructure demands such development will generate.

Land Use and Circulation Goals, Policies and Programs

Summary/Recap of Existing LUC Goals:

• LUC-A Preserve the Quality of the City's Residential Neighborhoods
• Preserve and strengthen the identity and qualities of a City's residential neighborhoods and assure that:
  1. All new development, renovation or remodeling are harmoniously designed and operated to integrate with the existing neighborhood
  2. Noise, traffic and other conflicts between residential and non-residential land uses are eliminated or minimized to the extent possible
  3. Each residential neighborhood has access to a developed park or park-like recreational area within walking distance to most residents, and that park facilities are well maintained, diverse and adequate to meet the needs of residents.
• LUC-B Promote Proper Site Planning, Architectural Design and Property Maintenance
• Ensure high quality site planning and architectural design for all new development, renovation or remodeling and require property maintenance to maintain the long-term health, safety, appearance and welfare of the community.
• LUC-C Provide for Economic Development
• Provide for economic development which:
  1. Maintains the City's ability to finance City services and construction and maintenance of public improvements
  2. Offers local employment opportunities for the City residents so that inter-city commuting can be reduced
  3. Assures the availability and diversity of resident-serving goods and services
  4. Allows for specialized commercial uses, such as automobile service stations, water-oriented commercial uses and day care facilities.
• LUC-D Maintain a Variety of Land Uses
• Maintain land designated for a variety of residential, commercial, light industrial, recreational and public institutional purposes which:
  1. Provide a mix of housing types, densities and tenure
  2. Ensure that a variety of commercial and industrial goods, services and employment opportunities are available in the City
  3. Offer a range of recreational and public facilities to meet the needs of the City's residents.
• LUC-E Reinforce Metro Center as a City-wide Focal Point.
• Establish and reinforce a Metro Center as the Focal Point of the City and enhance the potential of a Metro Center as a competitive business and activity center and specialized mixed use living environment.
• LUC-F Provide Adequate Services and Facilities
• Ensure that new and existing developments can be adequately served by
• municipal services and facilities.
• LUC-G Assure Safe Commercial and Industrial Uses
• Ensure that commercial and industrial uses are safe and strictly control any industrial by-products, odors or emissions which may adversely affect the health or safety of the City residents or workers and the overall environment in the City, as provided in the General Performance Standards of the Foster City Municipal Code.
• LUC-H Encourage Mixed Use Projects
• Encourage mixed use projects, with the residential portion of mixed use projects built at the maximum allowed densities to reduce trips to, from and within the City. (Make this a policy instead of a goal)
• LUC-I Provide for Diversified Transportation and Circulation Needs
• Develop, improve and maintain a circulation system which provides efficient and safe access for private vehicles, commercial vehicles, public transit, emergency vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
• LUC-J Maintain Acceptable Operating Conditions on the City's Road Network
• Maintain acceptable operating conditions on the City's road network at or above a Level Of Service D and encourage the maximum effective use of public and private vehicles, reduce the growth in peak hour traffic volumes and reduce single passenger trips.
• LUC-K Provide Adequate Parking
• Ensure that adequate off-street parking is incorporated into new and modified projects and designed for safe and effective circulation.