There will be a mail-only city election in May. The only issue is the proposed Flagstaff General Plan (also known as the Regional Plan) – approval or not. The ballot will only have that one question.
Who cares? Chances are pretty high that you have never encountered the current general plan and you will never encounter or have any reason to read the new proposed plan.
Having a general plan is required by the state. It must be revised or re-enacted every 10 years.
The general plan you will be voting on in May has been in the works for four years. A citizens’ committee worked on it for years (it’s nearly 300 pages). Then a draft was presented to the Flagstaff Planning and Zoning Commission and then to the Flagstaff City Council. We worked on it for six months and made numerous amendments. The final draft was approved unanimously by the City Council and now, it comes to you.
What is it? The plan has 15 chapters that address the citizens’ goals on various characteristics of the city. For example, a goal of the Water chapter is to enhance and extend utilities for efficient delivery of services in all areas of the city. Okay – who is going to be opposed to that?
In the Community Character chapter there is a goal to respect the region’s natural setting and dramatic views. Okay – what does “respect” mean? There are some vague policy statements that follow this goal that may help to define “respect.”
One of the ideas I had early in the council review was to add a prefatory statement that says, “This plan is not intended to require or preclude any particular action.” This preface was adopted by the council and is in the proposed plan.
So, the plan is a book of background information, maps and charts, and a list of aspirations with suggestions (I emphasize “suggestions”) on how to get there.
Where the plan is most important is in regard to how undeveloped land will be developed. It does not change any existing zoning. However, if you own undeveloped land in or near the city limits and you want to get a change of zoning and develop it someday, you should have been paying attention.
Conclusion: The Regional Plan is a required exercise. We have made it as flexible and non-mandatory as possible. Vote for it and let’s be done with it. FBN
Jerry Nabours is the Mayor of the City of Flagstaff.