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As you may have guessed from recent posts there are multiple working groups for the Regional Plan. These working groups include Economic Development and Cost of Development, Circulation and Bicycles, Public Facilities, Services and Safety, and Development Scenarios (Land Use).
The Working Group meeting notes, as well as DRAFT elements in-progress, are posted to the website, and are available to the public: HERE
Thank-you for your continued commitment to the Flagstaff community.
Circulation & Bicycle Working Group will meet this Thursday, January 26, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Staff Conference Room, City Hall, second floor to discuss matter related to the Regional Plan. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
The Economic Development Working Group will be meeting on Wednesday, January 25, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, City Hall, first floor to discuss progress on this Regional Plan element. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
The Public Facilities Working Group will be meeting today, Thursday, January 19, from NOON to 1:30 p.m. in the Staff Conference Room, second floor, City Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
The Regional Plan – Circulation Working Group will be holding a meeting to discuss progress on Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 3:30 PM-5:00 PM. The meeting will take place in the Staff Conference Room at City Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
What do you think are Flagstaff’s circulation pros and cons?
Flagstaff, Ariz. — There has been much discussion and debate regarding the Flagstaff Regional Plan of 2012, which includes 17 elements of improvement for the city. However, during the last few months, possibly the most important element has been up in the air for discussion… Water!
The Citizen Advisory Committee decided on four new water goals that may be a part of the Flagstaff Area Regional Plan update and up to votes in the year 2012. These goals currently include:
1.) Develop a sustainable water budget incorporating regional hydrology, ecosystem needs, and social and economic well-being Interpretation: Making sure the City has a long-term water resources master plan that takes into account the needs of the community and of the surrounding natural ecosystem
2.) The City manages a coordinated system of water, wastewater, and reclaimed water utility service facilities and resources and indentifies funding to pay for new resources. Interpretation: The city needs to be fiscally responsible when planning and coordinating its water, wastewater, and reclaimed water systems in order to provide the highest level of services the most prudent way.
3.) Satisfy current and future human water demands and needs of the natural environment through sustainable and renewable water resources and strategic conservation measures. Interpretation: Making sure that the Flagstaff water supply will not only support the present generation, but will also support the projected future population as defined within the Regional Plan. Ideas to support the water needs of our community include water resource planning, increased water conservation, that should include building technology to more efficiently capture and use rainwater and greywater while investing in water resources and infrastructure in the future as the needs arise.
4.) Avoid leap-frog development by logically enhancing and extending public water, wastewater and reclaimed water services including their treatment, distribution, and collection systems in both urbanized and newly developed areas of the City. Interpretation: Constructing businesses, housing, and other buildings closer together compact growth will allow us to be more efficient with operating and maintaining our water and wastewater infrastructure systems. .
For more information on this and other Regional Plan issues, please visit our website.
The study recommends that “land-use policies should foster compact, mixed-use developments that generate shorter trip distances that are more suitable for walking and biking,” The researchers also suggest that in addition to infrastructure improvements, cities and states should create restrictions on car use, such as car-free zones, reductions in motor vehicle speeds, and limited and more expensive car parking.
November public meetings are scheduled to gather early public input on developing Forest Plan language
Interested members of the public are invited to engage in the revision of the Coconino National Forest’s Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). The public will learn about the Forest Plan revision process to date, comment on current draft desired conditions for the forest, and provide ideas for the development of guidelines and management approaches. Three meetings will be held between 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.:
Monday, November 8 – Flagstaff, AZ
Radisson Woodlands Hotel, 1175 W Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Tuesday, November 9 – Cottonwood, AZ
Cottonwood Recreation Center, 150 South 6th St, Cottonwood, Arizona 86326 Wednesday, November 10 – Happy Jack, AZ
Happy Jack Lodge, (directions found at http://www.happyjacklodge.com/)
Between 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. an open house focusing on ecological plan components will be held in each location.
Following the open house, a workshop on the recreation plan components will begin with a presentation promptly at 6:00 pm. Individuals planning to attend the recreation workshop should arrive by 6:00 and plan to stay until 8:30 pm.
To allow for maximum consideration during the next step in the planning process, comments related to the subjects of the November meetings should be submitted by December 1, 2010 by email at: coconino_national_forest_plan_revision_team@fs.fed.us or online via the Contact Us page (http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/contact/index.shtml). Written comments may also be mailed or delivered to Coconino National Forest, Attn: Plan Revision, 1824 S. Thompson, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.
Please note that comments are always welcome and will be considered in subsequent steps of the plan revision process. Names and addresses submitted in response to any request for comments are also considered part of the public record for this project and may be released to the public if requested under the Freedom of Information Act. Providing contact information is optional.
The Forest Plan revision process is following an aggressive schedule, yet opportunities for public involvement will be available throughout the revision process.
If you missed one of our Open Houses in November, you can still let us know your thoughts on ‘Housing’ in the area. Please respond to one or more of the following questions:
1. Is there an adequate supply of housing from homeless shelters to housing for the workforce? If not, why and what may be one of the solutions?
2. How can our community as a whole pro-actively provide housing for all residents?
3. What do you feel are the largest obstacles to addressing housing affordability and availability in the Flagstaff Region?
4. What is ONE strategy that would be most effective to addressing housing affordability and availability in the Flagstaff region?
Click here to see what community members have said so far.
You are invited to talk about issues on housing such as supply, and housing choices.
When: Friday, December 3, 2010 from NOON to 3 p.m.
Where: Aquaplex, 1702 North Fourth Street.
Also, here is the agenda on the points we will hit during the meeting.
Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Kim Sharp (ksharp@flagstaffaz.gov) so we know how many sandwiches to have. Thank you, and we look forward to this community discussion on housing policy for the Regional Plan.
Flagstaff – Climate change has been added into the Regional Plan. Environmental Science Professor Scott Anderson and Meteorolgist Lee Born explain why they think planning for climate in Northern Arizona is so important, because of the bad consequences that could happen.
Listen HERE
In October and November, Flagstaff residents were asked to complete a series of questions regarding community values in the region. The results are in! Analyze them and let us know your thoughts.
Do you agree with the majority? What do you think the results say about Flagstaff residents’ values?
Nate Berg (Planetizen) – Mega-cities of 10 million people or more are getting a lot of attention these days. But smaller big cities are really where interesting and potentially hazardous growth patterns are occurring, according to this piece.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center has designated Flagstaff a bronze-level Walk Friendly Community for its walkability initiatives and programs. Walk Friendly Communities is a new national program that recognizes communities for their commitment to pedestrian safety, mobility, access, and comfort.
Flagstaff’s recognition is based on a number of local programs and initiatives that benefit walking, including the popular and extensive Flagstaff Urban Trails System, a nationally-recognized Safe Routes to School program, incorporation of walk-friendly policies in transportation plans, and events like neighborhood walkability audits, International Walk to School Day and Flagstaff Walks!.
Flagstaff is among eleven communities recognized in the inaugural round of Walk Friendly Communities, and the only one in Arizona.
Click here for more information about the Walk Friendly Community program:
The Bicycle Friendly Community Program awarded Flagstaff a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly Community last year for its commitment to investing in cycling and encouragement efforts, such as the citywide commuter challenge, the world-class Flagstaff Urban Trails System and 200 miles of singletrack.
To see last year’s list of Bicycle Friendly Communities, click here.
In the dictionary, the word “charrette” is defined as an intensive effort to finish a project,
especially an architectural design project, before a deadline. This is exactly what the City of Flagstaff is doing when it comes to addressing how the area should manage future growth. The Regional Plan July
design charrettes will allow for citizen input on future development, economic vitality, and natural
resource protection in a hands-on visual way.
During the Design Charrette Days (which are held on July 14th, 15th, 21st, and 22nd), many areas
related to future growth will be discussed. These areas include ‘Green Infrastructure’ (Parks, FUTS trails,
open space, wildlife corridors, and conservation areas for riparian waterways), land use/vacant parcels,
and existing infrastructure (roads, water, and sewer). These focused discussions will concentrate on:
Thursday, July 14, 2011 (Public Open House 10 am – 2 pm & 4 – 6 pm) @ Community Federated
Church
- (10 am – 2 pm) Environment and natural resource. (4 –6 pm) Growth areas, transportation,
reviewing Infrastructure, and available land.
Friday, July 15, 2011 (Public Open House 11 am – 2 pm) @ Community Federated Church
- Discussing options for growth.
Thursday, July 21, 2011 (Public Open House Noon – 4 pm) @ Community Federated Church
- Reviewing scenarios.
Friday, July 22, 2011 (4 – 6 pm) @ Heritage Square
- The Final Presentation of growth scenarios will be showcased at Heritage Square for public
awareness and input.
Interested Flagstaff residents can participate in the Design Charrette process by meeting at the
Federated Community Church at 400 W. Aspen Avenue during the dates. For more information, visit
the Flagstaff Regional Plan webpage at flagstaff.az.gov/regionalplan.
Please take a minute to fill out our one-page questionnaire. Your feedback is very important for the Regional Plan.
You may return your answers in a number of ways:
- Fill out and return to City Hall, you can leave at the CD Counter with my name at the top, or ask for Kim Sharp.
- Mail back to: 211 W. Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Attn: Kimberly Sharp
- Fill it out by hand and then make a PDF of your answers to e-mail back to Kim Sharp (ksharp@flagstaffaz.gov)
- Bring with you to one of the Charrette Open House days, listed under Upcoming Events
