Scottsdale General Plan 2011 Q & A
What is a General Plan?
The Scottsdale General Plan 2011 is the community’s collective vision for how Scottsdale will evolve during the next 10 to 20 years. Imagine taking a road trip and not having a map to help find your way. The same theory applies to a city. The General Plan acts as guide. It provides clear direction to the future of our city, just as a map would provide clear direction on how to get from Scottsdale to your desired destination.
What are the state mandated elements and optional elements?
The General Plan is comprised of “elements” which are similar to chapters and address different topics that affect city’s development. In 2001, there were fifteen (15) state mandated elements and three (3) elements added by Scottsdale citizens. Since the 2001 adoption, the state has mandated two (2) more elements be added.
|
State Mandated Elements | |
|
1. Land Use |
10. Public Buildings |
| 2. Circulation | 11. Housing |
| 3. Open Space | 12. Conservation, Rehabilitation, & Redevelopment |
| 4. Growth Areas | 13. Safety |
| 5. Environmental Planning | 14. Bicycling |
| 6. Water Resources | 15. Cost of Development |
| 7. Conservation | 16. Energy* |
| 8. Recreation | 17. Neighborhood Preservation & Revitalization* |
| 9. Public Services and Facilities | |
Scottsdale Specific Elements | |
| 18. Character & Design | 20. Economic Vitality |
| 19. Community Involvement | |
* New state mandated elements
The City of Scottsdale General Plan 2001 combines some of the required elements under one heading and expanded the scope of others beyond what is required by state law. Once adopted by the City Council, all elements have the same legal status. The Scottsdale General Plan 2011 includes 17 required state mandated elements and the 3 elements added by Scottsdale citizens.
Why is it important?
General Plans are important because they direct how the community looks and feels, and how it will meet future needs. For example, Scottsdale General Plan 2011 includes policies on things like open spaces, economics and neighborhood vitality.
Why do we have one?
It’s good for a city to chart its future . . . and it’s the law! Arizona requires that each city adopt a comprehensive, long-range General Plan to guide the physical development of the community. State law also requires updates of adopted General Plans every 10 years. Voters ratified Scottsdale’s existing General Plan in 2001 – so that means our 10 years is up!
Who drafted the Plan?
Scottsdale General Plan 2011 is first and foremost an update of the Council adopted and voter ratified City of Scottsdale General Plan 2001 that is currently in place. Thus, the majority of Scottsdale General Plan 2011 is goals and policies retained from the 2001 General Plan. A Council-directed 19 member citizen working group reviewed and modified by consensus every goal and policy in the Plan.
You say the General Plan is broad. But in reviewing the document, I noticed there are specific element goals and policies. For example: “Continue the acquisition of land for Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.”
The city faces important choices daily about growth, housing, transportation, neighborhood improvement and service delivery. A General Plan provides a guide for making these choices by describing long-term goals for the city’s future, as well as policies to guide day-to-day decision-making. As with any flexible policy document, there is room for interpretation, and flexibility is needed to meet the overall objectives.
What new items does Scottsdale General Plan 2011 address? How will they impact me?
Redevelopment/Revitalization: City of Scottsdale General Plan 2001 concentrated on growth. Now that Scottsdale is approaching build-out -- the maximum development allowed -- focus shifts from growth to preserving the city’s character and quality of life through revitalization and redevelopment.
Major General Plan Amendments: The Major General Plan amendment definition strikes a balance between retaining character and maintaining economic viability. It also simplifies the planning process for both the development community and citizens. It’s important to remember that all amendment changes, whether major or non-major, continue to go through a careful, stringent public review and City Council approval.
Environmental Considerations: An entirely new General Plan Energy Element has been added per newly adopted state statute requirements. One suchexample from this element includes integrating solar systems into our building designs.
What’s the same?
Because the Scottsdale General Plan 2011 builds upon and refines the existing General Plan, a lot of things stay the same:
Land-use Mix: Scottsdale General Plan 2011 retains the same land-use mix the community voted for ten years ago -- 42 percent devoted to natural/developed open space and 47 percent for our neighborhoods.
Elements: Arizona State law requires that the General Plans for cities Scottsdale’s size contain 17 sections called “elements.” Our community added three: Character and Design, Economic Vitality and Community Involvement. Although the additional elements address topics not required by state law, the issues they address are basic to our current and the future quality of life.
Four dominant themes and Six Guiding Principles – this reconfirms the community’s underlying philosophy and priorities, and make up the foundation of the overall plan
Are there tax increases associated with voters ratifying the Scottsdale General Plan 2011?
No.
What’s the timeframe?
We are currently gearing up for the public vote on March 13, 2012. Through this election, voters will decide whether to ratify Scottsdale General Plan 2011. If it’s not ratified, the existing General Plan remains in effect until there is an affirmative vote on a new one.
Where can I get more information?
Visit the Scottsdale General Plan 2011 site or contact General Plan Project Manager Ross Cromarty at (480) 312-7918 or rcromarty@scottsdaleaz.gov.
Where can I find the current General Plan?
Visit the City of Scottsdale General Plan 2001 site. A printed copy is also available for purchase at the Development Services One Stop Shop (7447 East Indian School Road).
Contact Us
Erin Perreault, AICP, Long Range Planning Manager
Phone: (480) 312-7093
Ross Cromarty, PhD, Project Coordination Liaison
Phone: (480) 312-7918
