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July 27, 2022 CPA2022008 Page 1 of 1 Report to the Board of Supervisors Prepared by the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department Board Hearing Date: July 27, 2022 Case #/Title: CPA2022008 – Queen Creek Area Plan Decommission Supervisor Districts: 1 & 2 Request: Decommission the Queen Creek Area Plan 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. Commission Recommendation: On 6/16/22, the Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of CPA2022008 to decommission the area plan. Staff Recommendation: Staff is requesting the Board continue CPA2022008 to the November 2, 2022 hearing to allow for additional outreach efforts. 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) Note: 6/16/22 Draft P&Z Minutes are not available as of the writing of this report, but can be provided upon request later when available. 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.