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November 2, 2022 CPA2022008 Page 1 of 1 Report to the Board of Supervisors Prepared by the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department Board Hearing Date: November 2, 2022 (Cont. from July 27, 2022) Case #/Title: CPA2022008 – Queen Creek Area Plan Decommission Supervisor Districts: 1 & 2 Request: Decommission the Queen Creek Area Plan. CPA approval is by Resolution. Additional Comments: The Queen Creek Area Plan was originally adopted in 1989, with the latest version updated and adopted in 1992. It currently consists of approximately 92 square miles. Research completed by our GIS team and staff found that approximately 78 square miles of the plan area or 85% has been incorporated by the City of Mesa, City of Chandler, Town of Queen Creek, and Town of Gilbert. Only approximately 14 square miles of unincorporated land remains within the Queen Creek Planning Area, thus it no longer fits with the County’s area plan program expectations. The Board continued this case to the November 2, 2022 hearing to allow for additional outreach efforts. On June 29, 2022, staff sent an e-mail to registered interest groups in the Queen Creek area, but only received one inquiry from the Town of Queen Creek without concern. There is no known opposition to the proposed decommissioning. Commission Recommendation: On 6/16/22, the Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of CPA2022008 to decommission the area plan. Presented by: Rachel Applegate, Senior Planner Reviewed by: Darren Gérard, AICP, Planning Manager Attachments: 6/16/22 P&Z Packet (4 pages) PZ Handout – County Area Plan Status Summary (1 page) 6/29/22 Outreach e-mail notice (2 pages) Town of Queen Creek Inquiry (2 pages) Resolution (2 pages) CPA2022008 Page 1 of 3 Report to the Planning and Zoning Commission Prepared by the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department Case: CPA2022008 – Queen Creek Area Plan Decommission Meeting Date: June 16, 2022 Supervisor Districts: 1 & 2 Request: Decommission the Queen Creek Area Plan (staff initiated) Recommendation: Approve to decommission the Queen Creek Area Plan Overview & Staff Analysis 1. The Queen Creek Area Plan was originally adopted in 1989, with the latest version updated and adopted in 1992. It currently consists of approximately 92 square miles generally located Elliot Rd. (north), Hunt Hwy/Empire Blvd. (south) Meridian Rd. (east), Gilbert Rd. (west), just south of the East Mesa Area Plan. Map of Queen Creek Area Plan Boundaries 2. Much has changed in the planning area since the last update in 1992, like several of the other County Area Plans, which was discussed at the August 19, 2021 ZIPPOR Meeting. Staff evaluated all of the current area plans based on the following criteria to determine which ones could be considered for decommissioning: • Percentage and total area of land that has been incorporated through annexation since plan approval; • The number of Comprehensive Plan Amendments (CPAs) and/or Development Master Plans (DMP’s) that have occurred in the last 10-years within each area plan; CPA2022008 Page 2 of 3 • The potential for growth/large-scale development, as well as other unique factors related to each specific area plans such as regional parks and open space, natural barriers, and types of land uses; and • The original and most recent update (if applicable) for each plan. 3. Specific to the Queen Creek Area Plan, research completed by our GIS team and staff found that approximately 78 square miles of the plan area or 85% has been incorporated by the City of Mesa, City of Chandler, Town of Queen Creek, and Town of Gilbert. Only approximately 14 square miles of unincorporated land remains within the Queen Creek Planning Area. Map of Incorporated Portions Within Queen Creek Area Plan 4. Since 2010, only 5 CPA’s or DMP’s have been approved in the Queen Creek Area Plan boundary, showing the lack of proposed growth with larger scale developments for changing the future land use designations of the plan. 5. Current County jurisdiction includes mostly rural/residential zoning and land uses (including multi-family) with commercial along Power Rd. and San Tan Blvd. Recently approved CPA2022008 Page 3 of 3 CPA/Zone Change for Industrial (Pacific Proving Grounds) adjacent to Gateway Airport and SR-24 extension has condition for Pre-Annexation agreement into City of Mesa. 6. The potential benefits of decommissioning this area plan would be that it would remove an outdated document, where staff can focus on county island specific research and updates within the future Comprehensive Plan update. The current plan has not been updated for nearly 30 years and it does not represent the current conditions and goals/policies of the Queen Creek area. The most important aspect of decommissioning the plan is that all remaining County jurisdiction land would automatically be reverted to “Rural Development Area (RDA)” with a density range of 0 – 1 d.u./ac. It is important for the unincorporated areas to remain with the lowest intensity land use designation which would require a public hearing process for requested changes (if zoning is not already established) including zone changes and land use proposals over 40 acres that does not fit within the RDA land use designation category. 7. Staff will focus on a county island study and policy portion to evaluate all areas of the County as part of the next Comprehensive Plan update in 2026, which will be in the process for updating within the next couple of years. This study would provide goals and policies in support of the Comprehensive Plan to offer specific direction related to the growth and development within county island areas. The county island study would be used as follows: • Provide up to date information on existing conditions including utilities and services within these areas; • Analyze future development requests to understand what, if anything, is feasible within existing county islands and how to encourage annexation when needed; • Set specific strategies and policies for different types, sizes, and locations of these county islands. This will help guide proposals to viable development options if available based on particulars of each area; and • Promote a comprehensive approach to understanding the current state of county islands, and to outline possible solutions for the future from a policy and guideline perspective for these areas of the County. Recommendation 8. Staff recommends the Commission motion for approval of case CPA2022008 to decommission the Queen Creek Area Plan for the reasons outlined in this report. Presented by: Ray Banker, Senior Planner Reviewed by: Darren Gerard, AICP, Deputy Director Attachments Case Map 301 W. Jefferson St., Ste. 170 Phoenix AZ 85003 Phone: (602) 506-7139 Fax: (602) 506-3711 www.maricopa.gov/planning Maricopa County Planning & Development Department Date: June 16, 2022 To: Maricopa County Planning & Zoning Commission From: Darren V. Gerard, AICP, Planning Services Manager RE: County Area Plans status summary The following summary was presented to the Commission in August 2021 when staff was given direction to proceed with decommissioning of five area plans – Laveen, Estrella, Mobile, East Mesa and Queen Creek. From: Darren Gerard (PND) To: Matthew Holm (PND) Subject: CPA2022008 decommissioning of the Queen Creek Area Plan Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2022 8:09:00 PM Attachments: Queen Creek.docx image003.png image004.png image005.png To: Registered Area of Interest groups within the Queen Creek Area Plan From: Darren V. Gerard, AICP, Planning Manager Re: CPA2022008 decommissioning of the Queen Creek Area Plan Maricopa County is undertaking a comprehensive analysis of all County Area Plans to ensure that they reflect the current conditions of the local community they serve, and to ensure they remain compliant with the are plan program as outlined in Vision 2030, The Maricopa County Comprehensive Plan. Several area plans (see below), including the Queen Creek Area Plan, no longer meets these criteria, thus will be decommissioned and a new strategy will be used to oversee future growth in this area. The Queen Creek Area Plan was adopted in 1992. It covers approximately 92 square miles, but an estimated 85% of the area has been incorporated by the City of Mesa, City of Chandler, Town of Queen Creek, and Town of Gilbert that have left mostly scattered and discontiguous county islands. The result is that only approximately 14 square miles of unincorporated land remains within the Queen Creek Area Plan. Because of these annexation patterns, the existing Queen Creek Area Plan no longer represents the conditions and goals/policies of the area, and no longer meets the requirements and expectations for inclusion in the County’s area plan program. The most important aspect of decommissioning this plan is that all remaining unincorporated land will now be designated “Rural Development Area (RDA)” which a residential density range of 0 – 1 d.u./ac. and is appropriate for primarily rural-type land uses. Also, the RDA will help ensure that the local community is notified of any future requests for zone changes that do not meet these low-density criteria so that it can participate fully in these decisions. Decommissioning this area plan will not change or otherwise affect any previously approved comprehensive plan amendment (CPA) or existing zoning with the planning area. Rather, the decommissioning and RDA designation will be a new and effective strategy to evaluate future growth in coordination with the community. Please submit any comments online at: https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Regulatory-Planning-Development-15/Comment-on-a- Planning-Case-183, or you may send them directly to me as noted in my signature block below. Darren V. Gérard, AICP Planning Services Manager Maricopa County Planning & Development Department 301 W. Jefferson Street, Suite 170, Phoenix, AZ 85003 Desk: 602-506-7139 | Cell: 602-723-2241 | Fax: 602-506-3711 Darren.Gerard@maricopa.gov P&D is now 100% digital for construction permit applications. Find information on our new permit process here. As of March 29, P&D’s main office has relocated to 301 W. Jefferson St. From: Darren Gerard (PND) To: Erik Swanson; Brett Burningham Cc: Matthew Holm (PND) Subject: RE: BOS Meeting - July 27th Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 6:06:00 PM Attachments: 14. CPA2022008 Staff Report.pdf County Area Plan review handout.pdf Erik/Brett: attached is a staff report discussed by the P&Z last week. The decommissioning/repeal/revocation recommended is simply due to the plan having served its purposed but arguably grown antiquated. The land use in general would default back to the county comprehensive plan’s Rural Development Area. Any large-scale rezoning in the future processed through the County would likely be accompanied by a Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Darren V. Gérard, AICP Planning Services Manager Planning & Development 602-506-7139 Darren.Gerard@maricopa.gov From: Erik Swanson <erik.swanson@queencreekaz.gov> Sent: Monday, June 20, 2022 11:52 AM To: Darren V. Gérard (PND) <Darren.Gerard@Maricopa.Gov>; Brett Burningham <brett.burningham@queencreekaz.gov> Subject: BOS Meeting - July 27th Good afternoon Darren, I hope all is well with you. I was made aware of the below item on the upcoming agenda, but unfortunately have no idea what it is in regards to. Do you have any information you can share? CPA2022008 – Queen Creek Area Plan - Removal of Area Plan – Dists. 1 & 2 Sincerely, -- Erik Swanson Planning Administrator t: (480) 358‑3013 e: erik.swanson@queencreekaz.gov 22358 S Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 Office hours: Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed on Fridays Emails generated by council members, members of Town commissions and committees and by staff and that pertain to Town business are public records. These emails are preserved as required by law and generally are available for public inspection. Email correspondence is regularly reviewed by members of the public, media outlets and reporters. To ensure compliance with the Open Meeting Law, members of the Town Council, Commissions and Committees should not forward or copy e-mail correspondence to other members of the Council, boards or commissions and should not use reply all when responding to this message. Any questions should be directed to the Town Attorney: (602) 285-5000.