Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Modesto 2050 General PlanThe City of Modesto (City) will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Modesto 2050 General Plan (proposed project) and will hold a public scoping meeting to receive comments on the scope of the EIR. The City will prepare a program-level EIR evaluating the environmental impacts of the General Plan’s policies and the development they would allow through 2050. While the evaluation of future site-specific development projects is outside the scope of the EIR, the document will be designed to support future California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) streamlining. The proposed project, its location, and potential environmental effects are described below, and additional information on the Modesto 2050 General Plan is available at https://gp2050.modestogov.com/. The City is requesting input on the scope and content of the EIR from public agencies, organizations, and individuals during this 30-day period. With respect to the views of responsible and trustee agencies as to significant environmental issues, the City needs to know the reasonable alternatives and mitigation measures that are relevant to each agency’s statutory responsibilities in connection with the proposed project. A copy of the Notice of Preparation (NOP) is available for review at the City of Modesto Community and Economic Development Office or online at https://gp2050.modestogov.com/documents/.Project Location: Modesto is in the San Joaquin Valley, in central Stanislaus County, approximately 75 miles east of San Francisco. State Route (SR) 99, SR-132, and SR-108 provide regional access to the City. Please see Figure 1, Modesto Regional and Vicinity Map, attached. Project Summary: The City is updating its General Plan to guide development and growth through 2050. The projected growth in the EIR Study Area (Figure 2) is provided in Table 1, Proposed 2050 Buildout Projections in the EIR Study Area. Table 1. Proposed 2050 Buildout Projections in the EIR Study Area Existing Conditions Projected Growth Buildout (Existing (2026) 2026-2050 Conditions + Proposed (Proposed Project) Project) Estimates (2050) Population 220,048a 103,900 323,948 Housing Units 78,627a 38,500 117,127 Jobs 143,700b 57,300 201,000 Buildout Projections in the EIR Study Area. State of California Department of Finance. 2026, May. E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2020–2026. b State of California Office of Economic Development. 2025, July. Modesto Occupation Data. State law requires that the General Plan contain eight elements: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Open Space, Noise, Safety, Conservation, and Environmental Justice. This update addresses seven: Land Use, Transportation, Economic Development, Environmental Justice, Health and Safety, Open Space and Conservation, and Community Facilities and Services. A Housing Element update is not included. The proposed project reflects a community vision for Modesto’s future, shaped by the community through a comprehensive engagement process. For more information regarding the proposed project, please refer to the project website at https://gp2050.modestogov. com/ or contact Michael Hren, Principal Planner, Planning Division, at 209.577.5267 or GP-Modesto2050@ modestogov.com. Probable Environmental Effects of the Project: The EIR will address a range of environmental impacts that could result from implementation of the General Plan, including the subject areas of aesthetics, agricultural and forestry resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural and tribal cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services and recreation, transportation, utilities and service systems, and wildfire. Development consistent with the General Plan is likely to result in impacts to one or more of the environmental topic areas. Policies and actions explained in the General Plan will reduce some of the environmental impacts to less-than-significant levels. For impacts that will remain significant and unavoidable even with application of policies and actions, a statement of overriding considerations will be considered.NOP Comment Period: Written comments should be submitted at the earliest possible date but no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, to Michael Hren, Principal Planner, Planning Division, 1010 10th Street, Suite 3100, Modesto, CA 95354, 209.577.5267, or GP-Modesto2050@modestogov. com. Please include “Modesto 2050 General Plan EIR” as the subject. Public agencies providing comments are asked to include a contact person for the agency.NOP Scoping Meeting: A public scoping meeting to summarize the proposed project and provide an opportunity to submit comments on the scope and content of the EIR will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, starting at 5:30 p.m. Community members can attend at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81917046886?pwd=Uzaaqata6BZQGx9jWrnEUOU6k8icia.1.