A LRDP is a comprehensive plan that guides physical development, such as the location of buildings, including academic and administrative space needs, housing, buildings, open space, circulation, parking and other land uses. An LRDP identifies the physical development needed to achieve academic goals and is an important reference document for the campus, the University, and the general public, and addresses long-term physical growth. In connection with other plans, the LRDP provides the overarching vision and priorities that the PDF and CFP support. See Bylaws of the Regents of the University of California; Charter of the Finance and Capital Strategies Committee, Appendix C; and Regents Policy 8103: Policy on Capital Project Matters.
Campuses prepare LRDPs based on their academic goals and the projected on-campus population, primarily comprised of students, faculty, and staff, for an established future date (often referred to as the “horizon year”). The Regents approve each LRDP and its accompanying Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which evaluates the environmental effects of the proposed development anticipated under the LRDP. There are no University requirements for the content, organization, or longevity of an LRDP. The following sections are guidelines for the organization, elements, and organizing concepts that can be included in an LRDP.
The organization of an LRDP may vary, but it usually includes the following information:
- Historical perspective, including historical plans for the campus and the evolution of those plans over time.
- Location, physical setting, and relationships to the neighboring community, including surrounding land uses, circulation and transportation systems, and environmental resources.
- Planning process for the LRDP, including community outreach.
- Projected development, including academic and administrative facilities, housing, transportation, and utility infrastructure.
- Natural or environmentally sensitive areas to be preserved, enhanced, and/or used in limited fashion.
In addition, the LRDP shows how and where space needs will be met on the site and generally contains the following elements:
- Land use
- Landscape and open space
- Circulation and transportation
- Utilities
Land Use. This element shows the location of proposed land uses. The goal is to provide guidance for locating future structures and uses while maintaining adequate flexibility for future decision making. The level of detail in this element varies. Academic uses may all be under a single "Instruction and Research" land use designation, or there may be separate designations for academic uses, administration, recreation, student housing, family student housing, support services, and open space.
Landscape and Open Space. Each campus has different types of open space: formal paved plazas and courtyards, less formal landscaped areas, and undeveloped natural areas. The LRDP indicates the role of open space, for example, whether buildings are integrated into the predominant landforms and vegetation (e.g. the Santa Cruz campus), or buildings are predominant and open spaces are connections among building clusters.
Circulation and Transportation. The LRDP shows how people move to and through the site in the future. All forms of travel are considered: pedestrian, bicycle, mopeds, motorcycles, cars, service and delivery vehicles, emergency vehicles, and hazardous material transportation. The LRDP indicates which paths and roads are shared by one or more forms of travel and which are segregated. Parking for all vehicle types is addressed.
Utilities. This element focuses on the campus systems for domestic and irrigation water, wastewater, storm drainage, sanitary sewers, chilled water and steam, electrical distribution, natural gas, and communications. Each type of utility's expansion strategy is planned to accommodate the growing campus population and technology changes.
Because an LRDP affects an area's physical environment, an evaluation of its impacts is required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Because an LRDP may create significant impacts, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required. Environmental evaluations are normally managed by the planning office at each location. Once the comprehensive evaluation of environmental effects is completed and approved, subsequent projects may have simpler environmental documentation requirements if they were covered in the LRDP EIR.
At the initiation of a new or major LRDP update, each location must consult with the UCOP about format and content, as well as location and public participation processes. Preparation of an LRDP includes consultation with a wide variety of people on- and off-campus: faculty, students, staff, adjacent jurisdictions, and community groups. The mechanism and extent of consultation vary by location. A location submits a draft LRDP and an administrative draft LRDP EIR to the UCOP for review. Once the draft LRDP and EIR are finalized, they will be presented to the Regents for approval. The LRDP is considered a draft plan until it is approved by the Regents. A campus prepares the Regents’ item and a presentation about the LRDP and the EIR requesting the Regents' approval. An LRDP may be amended at any time and is in effect until a new LRDP replaces it. LRDPs may be amended for individual building projects, area plans, or to accommodate different future uses in certain areas, or they may be totally revised when they become out of date. LRDP amendments are approved by the Finance and Capital Strategies Committee, unless classified as “minor,” for which authority has been delegated.