2nd East Porterville Plan workshop tonight

The County of Tulare will hold its second public community workshop for the creation of the East Porterville Community Plan today at Alta Vista Elementary School, at 6 p.m.

Residents, businesses, and community partners are invited to engage with the process. The meeting will be hosted by Alta Vista Elementary School. A total of six workshops are planned into 2027, with an online and printable community survey available throughout the year.

The Community Plan for East Porterville will help guide future growth, land use, transportation, and community improvements. The County is seeking public input and participation from residents, businesses, schools, healthcare providers, utilities, public agencies, and all other stakeholders connected to the East Porterville community.

While community plans seek to understand community priorities and don;t guarantee funding, they're often helpful in receiving grants. On September 24 the Tulare County Resource Management Agency co-hosted the kickoff meeting for the East Porterville Community Plan at John J. Doyle Elementary School. More than 40 individuals attended the kickoff meeting, including Porterville Unified School District leadership: Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Martha Stuemky, Doyle Elementary Principal Eric Ortega, and Doyle Elementary Learning Director Manuel Alfaro.

The East Porterville Community Plan project will be a year-long process that relies heavily on community input on topics including land use, roads, transportation, infrastructure, community improvements, business opportunities, and other community priorities.

To date, about 400 survey responses have been received, answering questions such as “What would you like East Porterville to be like in the future?” and “What needs the most attention in East Porterville?” Each of the six planned workshops will build upon the previous session, include a presentation on the process, interactive activities, County resources, and time for questions and answers. Attendance at workshops is highly encouraged but not mandatory, and community members and stakeholders interested in participating can take the community survey online or request printed copies.

“The fact that survey responses are coming from students and adults alike is both inspiring and heartwarming,” said Alida Verduzco Silva, County of Tulare Economic Development Manager, who's co-managing the project with RMA Planner III Emily Gage. The related community survey is being widely circulated by both the Porterville Unified School District and the Alta Vista School District.

“Our students take pride in where they come from and have their own ideas about what they want East Porterville to look like in the future. They know their community, care deeply about it, and deserve opportunities to share their perspectives through this process. Their voices are important as we plan for the community’s future,” said Ortega.

Food will be served tonight by the Alta Vista Elementary cafeteria team. The meeting can also be viewed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/942784881904817/

The East Porterville Community Plan is part of the County’s broader work to support community-led planning in unincorporated areas. In March 2026, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors adopted the updated Allensworth Community Plan following years of collaboration among residents, the Allensworth Progressive Association, and the county. Work is also underway on an update to the Goshen Community Plan. Each effort is shaped by the community’s input regarding the needs and priorities of the individual community.

“I believe this process is incredibly meaningful for our students because it gives them an opportunity to see that their voices, ideas, and dreams matter. Our students have thoughts about their community and the future they want to see, and it is important that they understand they have a role in shaping it,” said Alta Vista Elementary Principal Anna Fine. “I am proud of our students for sharing their perspectives and recognizing that they are not just part of this community today, but also a part of its future. Providing them with opportunities to be heard helps build confidence, ownership, and a sense of belonging.”

Meeting information, project updates, and links to both surveys are available at: Community Survey - English: https://forms.gle/qYfUi1oNVxaXqLSr7; Community Survey - Spanish: https://forms.gle/wByqJr4k2xgpTMJW6; Website: https://tularecounty.ca.gov/rma/east-porterville-community-plan

Questions about the planning process may also be directed to: Emily Gage RMA Planner III, Project Planner for East Porterville Community Plan 559-624-7083, egage@tularecounty.ca.gov or Alida Verduzco Silva, RMA Economic Development Manager, Outreach Manager for East Porterville Community Plan, 559-502-0899 or averduzco@tularecounty.ca.gov

2nd East Porterville Plan workshop tonight

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