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7C Page 4 General Plan since the previous draft, the project description will need to be revised and a new Notice of Preparation (NOP) will be prepared. An NOP scoping session will be scheduled with the Planning Commission in December. The NOP is a document stating that an EIR will be prepared and is the first step in the Environmental Impact Report process. A final draft of the General Plan will be submitted to the City Council and Planning Commission by November 19. At the meeting on November 23, City Council will be asked for input on the revised draft and acknowledgement that the plan reflects the Council's policy objectives and that it is therefore appropriate to proceed with the completion of the Environmental Impact Report. The desired outcome of that meeting will be for City Council to approve the draft New General Plan as the proposed "project description" and direct the Planning Commission and staff to complete the Draft Environmental Impact Report for subsequent Planning Commission certification. An "open house" before the meeting on November 23 will be held in the foyer with exhibits and discussions for the Planning Commission and City Council. As required by CECA, formal adoption of the New General Plan can only occur after the EIR has been certified by the Planning Commission. In order to complete the new General Plan and EIR process, the following chronology of activities will occur: December 2009 through March 2010: . Preparation of Draft EIR . Planning Commission review the Draft and Final EIR . Planning Commission certifies EIR and reconciles General Plan with EIR . Planning Commission recommends the New General Plan for formal adoption by City Council. Spring 2010: . City Council formally adopts New General Plan The sched ule for adoption of the General Plan is extended to spring of 2010 because the EIR requires a 45 day public review period, preparation of a Final EIR, and several public hearings before any action can be taken by the Planning Commission and City Council. Based on the high volume of comments received on the first public review draft of the New General Plan, it should be anticipated that there may also be a large number of comments on the Draft EIR which could result in a need for more time to prepare the Final EIR. Staff will continue to monitor and update the City Council on the schedule. ALTERNATIVES Do not consider the General Plan update and provide no comments on the most recent significant changes to the New General Plan as summarized in this staff report. FISCAL IMPACT Funds for completion of the General Plan and Environmental Impact Report are included in the approved budget.