Written rules and procedures for Scottsdale’s General Plan update process have been approved by city leaders, outlining necessary actions in pursuit of a new municipal guiding document.
On …
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Written rules and procedures for Scottsdale’s General Plan update process have been approved by city leaders, outlining necessary actions in pursuit of a new municipal guiding document.
On June 16, Scottsdale City Council approved resolution No. 11851, which establishes written and adoption procedures for the General Plan update process, in compliance with Arizona state statute requirements.
A city’s General Plan provides a guide for short- and long-term decision making, as well as day-to-day planning.
The General Plan is the primary tool for guiding the future of the city. It contains the community’s goals and policies on character and design, land use, open space and the natural environment, business and economics, neighborhood vitality, transportation and growth.
In addition to forming the physical shape of the city, the General Plan has other duties such as addressing community services, protecting desert and mountain lands and giving neighborhoods character.
By state statute, General Plans are to be updated every 10 years; however, there aren’t repercussions for not doing so. The West’s Most Western Town is operating under its 2001 plan.
Once a plan is drafted, it goes to the Planning Commission and City Council for approval. The final step to a General Plan approval is to be ratified by residents via an election.
Scottsdale began its latest iteration for updating the General Plan earlier this year, and created a citizen review committee who are reviewing the draft 2035 General Plan as an initial step prior to the document moving through community review.
The committee is comprised of representatives from Scottsdale’s boards and commissions.
The procedures adopted by City Council on June 16 detail requirements and timing associated with public outreach, adoption and ratification processes intended for the update that is underway.
The 2035 General Plan update is being planned to be considered by Scottsdale voters in the November 2021 general election, if adopted by City Council.
The nuts and bolts
The adopted process and written procedures includes an outline of a public outreach and distribution plan.
The document seeks to provide effective, early and continuous public participation in the development of the General Plan. The city’s Planning Agency is stipulated to provide:
Broad dissemination of proposals and alternatives;
Opportunity for written comments;
Public hearings after effective notice;
Open discussions, communications programs and informational services both in-person and online; and
Consideration of public comments.
After the citizen review committee reviews and possibly modifies the draft 2035 General Plan, the document will be reviewed by the public, the Planning Commission and the City Council.
A written summary report of citizen and stakeholder public participation input will be prepared and highlight: suggestions/comments received; comment sources; content reference and action on suggestions.
When the 2035 draft General Plan is prepared for Planning Commission consideration, the document shall be broadly distributed.
At least 60 days before the General Plan is noticed, the city’s Planning Agency shall transmit the proposal to the Planning Commission, and submit copies for review and further comments to: the county; the Arizona Commerce Authority; the Department of Water Resources; and any person or entity that requests in writing to receive a review copy of the proposal.
The process of a new General Plan for adoption by the City Council will consist of at least six months.
The Planning Commission shall hold at least two or more public hearings at different locations within the municipality to promote citizen participation.
The City Council shall hold at least one public hearing study session; and a adoption hearing will be held separately.
Both hearings will require notice of at least 15, and not more than 30, days before the hearing.
The adoption of a new General Plan requires two-thirds approval of Scottsdale City Council.
To be ratified by Scottsdale voters in the general election, the plan needs to be approved by the council at least 120 days prior to the election.
During that time, the city will provide educational public outreach and materials to residents and stakeholders on the new General Plan content.
If voters do not approve the 2035 General Plan, the 2001 General Plan remains in effect.
Melissa Rosequist Managing Editor | East Valley @mrosequist_
I first started my journalism portfolio at the age of 15 while in high school before going on to study at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Being in the journalism field is the only professional avenue I was ever interested in, and have worked hard covering topics from school boards to hard news while working for the Independent, where I have been awarded for my reporting.
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