Envision El Paso

project timeline

We are wrapping up the following:

  1. Vision & Goals Framework

  2. Community Goals & Strategies

Input gathered from residents during engagement events held April-September 2024, informed both reports.

We are in the process of updating our Future Land Use designations, which will be shared with the public for their input in Spring 2025.

The City of El Paso has embarked on updating the 2012 Comprehensive Plan which will build upon the things we love about our community and focus on the things we want to improve for the future. 

This Comprehensive Plan Update will build upon adopted plans and policies and in support of the Mayor and Council’s Strategic Plan 2022. Updates to the Comprehensive Plan from the 2012 Plan El Paso (See: Volume 1 and Volume 2) have been proposed on the basis of following themes:   

  • Housing Affordability 

  • Mobility Choice

  • Sustainable Living 

  • Economic Development

  • Fiscally Responsible Policies 

On June 20, 2023, City Council approved the award of the contract for the Comprehensive Plan to our consultant, Arcadis. 

*Click on image to expand

What is a Comprehensive Plan? 

A Comprehensive Plan is a document created by local governments and residents to determine what the focus and vision of the community should be over a 20-year period. 

A Comprehensive Plan is a requirement by the state for a local government to have Zoning regulations. 

It also provides a broad tool to help communities identify how they want to prioritize resources and future planning efforts. The Plan can be used as a guide for a city in budgeting and policy decisions, drafting regulations, and creating five-year Strategic Plans. 

The Plan looks at the relationships between land uses, infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, and community needs, and can impact how and where a community grows over time. It seeks to include broad, equitable, and diverse public engagement from residents across all areas of the city. 

The City of El Paso has embarked on updating their 2012 Comprehensive Plan which will build upon the things we love about our community and focus on the things we want to improve for the future. 

Explainer Video

Visit our engagement Calendar to Get updates on upcoming events.

  • Strategic Planning Session

    We kicked off the engagement process for Envision El Paso by leading two activities at the 2024 Strategic Planning Session. Participants included 47 staff members including council representatives and department directors participated along with seven community members.

    Photo Reel

  • Envision El Paso Working Group

    The working group will be responsible for working with the City’s planning team and their consultant to provide diverse perspectives and feedback regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update. The working group is a mix of council appointed members and selected community leaders.

    Learn More

  • Envision El Paso Ambassadors

    As a vital link between city government and its residents, Ambassadors will play a key role in fostering collaboration, gathering input, and ensuring that the updated Comprehensive Plan reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of the El Paso community.

    learn more

  • Community Symposium

    The event brought together community members, professionals, and city leaders to engage in meaningful discussions about the future of El Paso. Discussions focused on sustainable urban development, city planning, and community-driven solutions to foster a more connected city.

    learn more

IN THE NEWS

  • "City’s community workshops on ‘Envision El Paso’ kicked off Wednesday"

    KTSM.COM

  • "City of El Paso hosts workshops for Envision El Paso, a comprehensive plan update"

    KVIA.COM

FAQs

  • The City of El Paso’s Comprehensive Plan is permitted by the State of Texas as a primary tool to guide long-term growth and change over a 20-year period. It is not a zoning ordinance, but it does help to guide amendments to the code as well as the zoning map.

    A Comprehensive Plan can guide a city in budgeting and policy decisions, drafting regulations, and creating two-year Strategic Plans. It looks at the relationships between land uses, infrastructure — such as roads and utilities — and community needs and can affect how and where a community grows over time. It seeks to include broad public engagement from residents across all areas of the city.

  • Envision El Paso is an update to Plan El Paso, the existing comprehensive plan that was adopted in March 2012. The update is needed because much has changed since then, and El Paso is now faced with a new set of challenges and opportunities.

    With these key themes — mobility choice, sustainability, affordable housing, economic development, sustainable living, and fiscal responsibility — Envision El Paso will address those challenges and opportunities and advance our community.

  • Envision El Paso serves as a road map for El Paso’s future development, guiding decision-making processes and investments to create communities that residents want to live and thrive in. The focus for policy updates include to increase housing options to increase affordability, driving development in areas where it is fiscally responsible and more sustainable, and updating our infrastructure maintenance plan to take care of existing and future infrastructure and facilities.

  • The City of El Paso Planning & Design Division is leading this project in partnership with a citywide interdepartmental team and other public agencies in the region. They are assisted by an expert consultant team that has a mix of global experience and deep local roots and knowledge.

    The project is being guided by a working group appointed by the El Paso City Council, as well as a team of project ambassadors who will be extending our reach into neighborhoods across the city.

  • A driving focus of the Envision El Paso initiative is equity so that we can reach as many El Pasoans as possible, particularly those in underserved areas. Various methods will be used to engage with and gather feedback from residents throughout El Paso during the planning process. Some approaches include outreach events such as community meetings and pop-ups, surveys, interactive online platforms, multilingual outreach, and social media and digital communication.

    Envision El Paso has a team of Envision El Paso Ambassadors from all parts of the City to help us reach El Paso’s varied population. Visit EnvisionEP.com to contact us about hosting a meeting with your local neighborhood association, church group, civic group, or other local organization with one of our Envision El Paso Ambassadors.

    By employing a combination of these engagement strategies, Envision El Paso can ensure that the planning process is transparent, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the city’s residents.

  • Give us your feedback! We want to hear from as many residents as possible about what they believe El Paso should be in the years to come.

    Visit this website often to share your ideas and invite others to share their input too. Upcoming meeting dates and locations can also be found here.