The city of Surprise is seeking to develop and implement a Desert Rural Zoning designation for its rural residential property owners to opt into.

The kickoff meeting to discuss the proposed designation will occur from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Asante Library, 16755 W. Vereda Solana Drive.

The Desert Rural Zoning designation is a proposed zoning district intended to recognize, preserve, protect and enhance the character and quality of life within Surprise’s existing traditional rural communities while also allowing for compatible surrounding development.

The process to create this zoning district will include several community meetings to gather resident input and is expected to conclude in next spring.

This zoning designation helps implement the goals associated with the Rural Residential Overlay in the Surprise General Plan 2040, which voters approved in the July primary election.

This overlay recognizes long-established rural residential communities in Surprise characterized by private large-lot residential lands with reduced infrastructure compared to an urban or suburban community, such as sidewalks, curbs and gutters, street lighting, or public water and sewer, and which promote the keeping of livestock, farmland, open space and scenic vistas.

To learn about the Desert Rural Zoning designation, see the Desert Rural Overlay map or view a list of other meeting dates, visit surpriseaz.gov/DesertRural.