Downey : Conservation, Safety, Noise Chapters of Plan Revised

The City Council on Tuesday revised three chapters of the General Plan, which sets policy for development in Downey. The General Plan is being revamped for the first time since 1973.

The plan’s conservation, safety and noise chapters were revised to require that water conservation devices be installed in new buildings and that historic trees be preserved. The revisions also call for a citywide plan for street lights and sidewalks and monitoring of noise levels at existing commercial buildings. The City Council must still pass ordinances to enact the new policies, said Mary Martineau, senior planner.

Revised housing and hazardous waste chapters were approved during the last two years. The remaining chapters of the plan are scheduled to be revised by the City Council this year, officials said. Those chapters deal with open and recreational space, community design, economic development, road circulation and land use.