01. CPA2023014 PZ Report
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CPA2023014
Page 1 of 6
Report to the Planning and Zoning Commission
Prepared by the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department
Case:
CPA2023014 – White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan
Hearing Date:
November 16, 2023
Supervisor Districts:
4 & 5
Applicant:
Staff-Initiated
Request:
Approval of the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan
Site Location:
General area plan boundaries: Yavapai-Maricopa County Line (north), I-10
and Yuma Rd. (south), 99th Ave and Loop 101 (east), and Vulture Mine Rd.
(west)
Site Size:
Approx. 727 sq. mi.
Recommendation:
Approve
CPA2023014
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Overview:
1.
In 2016 the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted the Maricopa County Vision 2030
Comprehensive Plan which serves as the comprehensive plan for the entire unincorporated
territories of the County. The comprehensive plan addresses state statute requirements and
implements core principles and strategic priorities to assist decision-makers in making decisions
about land use and the overall long term development patterns in the county. Vision 2030 also
contains various sub-area plans which address the unique needs of specific areas within
unincorporated Maricopa County. Planning staff periodically analyzes these long-range area
plans to ensure they accurately reflect the regions they serve. The most recent adoption occurred
in 2019 when the Board adopted a revised Daisy Mountain New River Area Plan to amend and
replace the existing New River Area Plan. The White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan has undergone
a similar analysis and update process, which is the subject of this staff report. Staff is
recommending that the Commission recommend approval of the updated White Tank Grand
Avenue Area Plan based on the process and results outlined herein.
2.
While the existing White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan is still relevant in many ways, many things
have changed since its adoption in 2000 that necessitate an update. First, vast portions of
unincorporated county territory within the plan have since been annexed into municipalities such
as Surprise, Peoria and Buckeye among others. Second, rapid growth is expected to continue due
to major industrial and residential developments, particularly in the Grand Avenue region and in
areas near the Loop 303. Lastly, an update to the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan will conform
to the currently adopted Comprehensive Plan principles and land use designations.
3.
As noted, the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan is a sub-area plan of the Comprehensive Plan,
and as such includes the same elements (i.e. planning-related topics):
•
Land Use – ARS requires a land use element that plans for a variety of land uses. The land
use plan is required to include a map and categories for land uses with defined densities and
intensities. In addition, the land use element is required to specify programs and policies for
compact form development, consider air quality and access to solar energy, and policies to
address a broad variety of land uses. Lastly, the element is required to identify aggregate
sources and policies to preserve aggregates and policies to avoid incompatible land uses in
proximity to aggregate sources.
•
Transportation – ARS requires a transportation element that plans for the general location
and extent of freeways, streets and multimodal transportation.
•
Environment – ARS requires an environmental element that contains analysis, policies and
strategies to address any effects of plan elements on air quality, water quality and natural
resources.
•
Economic Growth – An economic growth element is not required by ARS and is an optional
element within the Comprehensive Plan. This element is included for consistency with the
Comprehensive Plan. Included in the element are economic analysis, projections, goals and
policies to promote economic growth.
•
Growth Areas – ARS requires a growth areas element that specifically identifies growth areas
and whether those areas are suitable for transportation and infrastructure improvements
designed to support a mix of uses. The growth areas element also must include policies and
implementation strategies to make transportation more efficient, make infrastructure
expansion more economical and to conserve natural resources. The growth areas element
coordinates infrastructure funding with development activity.
CPA2023014
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•
Open Space – ARS requires an open space element that plans for acquisition and preservation
of open space including an inventory of areas, recreation resources and access points to said
resources. The open space element also includes policies and implementation strategies to
promote a regional system of integrated open spaces and recreation resources.
•
Water Resources – ARS requires a water resources element that inventories available surface
water, groundwater and effluent supplies. The element is also required to project and analyze
the demand for water generated by future growth and how the water supplies will serve the
future growth.
•
Energy – ARS requires an energy element that encourages and provides incentives for
efficient use of energy. The element also identifies policies and practices for greater use of
renewable energy.
•
Cost of Development – ARS requires a cost of development element to identify policies and
strategies the county will use to require private development to pay its fair share toward the
cost of infrastructure and facility needs generated by new development.
4.
In addition to each element, the updated area plan includes an executive summary for quick
reading, guiding principles and strategic priorities, an overview of existing conditions, goals and
policies for each element, and a summary of the significant public outreach program that shaped
this plan.
5.
Given length of time since the last update there are significant and meaningful changes from the
previous plan. Some of the more notable changes include:
•
A 22% reduction in the size of the planning area mainly due to annexations by the Cities of
Surprise, Peoria and Buckeye;
•
Redesignating existing land uses to those currently found in the Comprehensive Plan. This is
especially important because area plan land uses must conform to the land use designations,
terminology, and definitions within the Comprehensive Plan;
•
Expanding the planning area boundary northwest to Vulture Mine Road and identifying new
growth areas to plan for future near-term growth (approximately 10-year timeframe). Areas
that are not identified as growth areas are expected to continue the generally rural, low-density
land use pattern that currently exists.
6.
Through extensive public outreach, participants identified several important strategic priorities
that not only shape the goals and policies in this plan, but also guide decisions regarding future
growth. These principles include:
•
Improve congested and unsafe intersections;
•
Protect scenic corridors, views and open spaces;
•
Limit light pollution to protect dark skies;
•
Discourage development that is incompatible with Luke Air Force Base’s mission and
operations; and,
•
Ensure that development in the County has the appropriate and necessary level of services
for water, wastewater, and public safety.
CPA2023014
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Public Participation
7.
To reach as many citizens, organizations, and other stakeholders as possible, staff and the
project team created a citizen’s participation program. The following is a brief summary of the
outreach efforts:
•
The project team conducted four community meetings between July and October of 2023 to
identify the issues and concerns of area residents. These community meetings were well
attended as over 145 attendees across meetings had an opportunity to share their thoughts
and ideas. The first virtual-format meeting introduced the area plan update to attendees. The
project team held its second meeting in-person at the Palm Ridge Recreation Center in Sun
City West, and its the third meeting in-person at the Morristown Elementary School to meet
with rural residents. A fourth and final community workshop was held in October to seek final
input and changes to the draft plan. To help ensure effective participation staff used various
formats for the meetings, including presentations, open Q&A and live interactive “Menti” polls.
In addition, staff created an email list of 300 individuals and organizations who were notified
of the workshops, and of ways to participate in the process.
•
The project team also convened a Plan Advisory Committee (PAC) that consisted of area
stakeholder representatives including Commissioner Hernandez, staff from Luke Air Force
Base, various State and local governments, and the Homebuilders’ Association, among
others. These meetings supported and informed the development of the plan, particularly in
regard to the strategic priorities.
•
In addition to the community and PAC meetings, the project team invited select individuals to
participate in one-on-one interviews with contributing partners such as the Toyota Proving
Grounds, CAP, local governments, State Land Department, and others. These interviews
assisted the team in identifying more precise land use needs and input on the direction of the
plan.
•
Information about community workshops, ways to participate in plan preparation, and the
draft plan were posted on the Planning and Development Department’s webpage for public
viewing. The draft plan was commented on directly through a web platform called “Konveio”.
This website was updated periodically as new information became available to ensure
relevance, accuracy, and reflect community needs. Staff noticed the distribution list when the
draft plan was added to the website.
Issues & Strategies
8.
Significant public outreach efforts allowed stakeholders to identify issues that are important to
their community, and to help develop policies that address those issues. While not all-inclusive,
the following is a brief overview of the most frequently identified issues, as well as strategies in
the plan to help address them.
•
Issue: Growth and Development
Stakeholders expressed a desire to maintain low-density, rural residential land use patterns while
understanding that the area is anticipated to grow. Participants are also concerned about
continuous and rapid annexation by surrounding communities. Policies and strategies to address
these concerns include maintaining land use transitions in urban/rural interface areas and open
CPA2023014
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space land use buffers to more intense uses, and only supporting urban development when
necessary services and infrastructure are immediately available.
•
Issue – Water Availability
Water availability continues to be a significant concern for much of the planning area. In June,
the State announced that the Arizona Department of Water Resources would no longer issue
certificates of assured water supply within the Active Management Area (AMA) to new
subdivisions and that those developments would need to seek out an existing designated
provider of water (i.e. a city). This announcement, at least temporarily, has slowed new residential
development, unless and/or until further guidance is received. Maricopa County has limited
authority or ability to assist in this issue, however the draft plan does encourage residents to
integrate low impact development (LID) techniques into the design of homes and landscaping,
and encourages efforts by the Arizona Department of Water Resources to continuously monitor
and evaluate groundwater supplies.
•
Issue – Traffic Congestion/Collisions
Numerous stakeholders reported concern with the level of traffic congestion occurring along
Grand Avenue, particularly at Bell Road. Likewise, congestion is also seen at Loop 303 and Grand
Avenue. While this plan does not address specific transportation concerns in great detail, the
Maricopa Association of Governments and the Maricopa County Department of Transportation
have transportation plans which do have scheduled corridor and congestion improvements based
on funding availability. Also, the plan notes the long-term implications a future Interstate 11
corridor - which traverses the western portion of the planning area - may have on growth and
development.
•
Issue – Compatibility with Luke Air Force Base (LAFB) and Auxiliary Base #1
Stakeholders felt that compatible development near LAFB and the Auxiliary Airfield #1 are
important and should respect and protect its mission and operations. This is especially important
within the high noise and accident potential zones (HNAPZs) of the airfields. New residential
development is not permitted within the HNAPZ per State law, Also, when residential
development is proposed within the ‘Territory in the Vicinity’ of the base, this plan recognizes the
'Graduated Density Concept’ which outlines appropriate residential densities based on distance
from the base. Density increases the further away a development is from the base. Staff
monitors new development proposals in these areas and works with the LAFB to provide concise
information to the development community.
•
Issue – Open Space
Stakeholders agreed that open space should be protected and maintained where feasible. The
White Tank Grand Avenue area is home to the spectacular 29,557-acre White Tank Mountain
Regional Park with abundant scenery, wildlife, and amenities. This park also holds numerous trails
which are part of the larger Maricopa Trail System – a county-wide trail system spanning 315
miles. The park is cherished by residents as are other open spaces such as the Vulture Mountain
Recreation Area and the Hassyampa River Preserve. This plan identifies several strategies to
promote open space including park programming, reinvestment, continuing partnerships and
connecting open space in subdivisions to public open space. The plan also outlines conservation
opportunity areas and wildlife trail linkages.
CPA2023014
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Staff Analysis
9.
It is a time of rapid change in Maricopa County. In the year 2000, the planning area was a slower
and quieter place, and still much more rural. Over the last two decades, growth in the county
began shifting from East Valley communities like Chandler and Gilbert to West Valley
communities like Buckeye and Surprise. With such rapid change, the county found it prudent to
review the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan to address the related issues and impacts. The
White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan update addresses many issues that will help shape growth
and development in the years to come.
10.
Staff feels that the project team conducted an efficient and quality public outreach process.
Through community meetings, stakeholder interviews, email communications, a dedicated
website, and broad dissemination of information the project team made stakeholder input a high
priority. Staff believes that citizens felt heard during the process and that their views are well
represented by the goals and policies of this draft plan.
11.
The White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan update wisely balances future growth with the vision,
wants and needs of the area’s citizens. The goals and policies within each element represent
practical guidance to decision-makers which can be used to make sound future land use
decisions. Designed to be flexible, the updated plan addresses inevitable growth while also
representing existing lifestyles. Lastly, the update will conform with Vision 2030 which allows for
both plans to cohesively serve county needs.
Recommendation
12.
Staff recommends the Commission adopt a motion to recommend approval of case
CPA2023014 for the reasons outlined in this report.
Presented by:
Adam Cannon, AICP, Senior Planner
Reviewed by:
Darren Gerard, AICP, Planning Division Manager
Enclosure:
Final Draft, White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan (120 pages)
Public Correspondence (105 pages)
White Tank Grand
Avenue Area Plan
Final Hearing Draft
11.07.23
iii
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Clint Hickman, Chairman (District 4)
Jack Sellers, Vice-Chairman (District 1)
Thomas Galvin (District 2)
Bill Gates (District 3)
Steve Gallardo (District 5)
PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION
Lucas Schlosser, Chairman (District 4)
Spike Lawrence (District 1)
Jimmy Lindblom (District 1)
Greg Arnett (District 2)
Jay Swart (District 2)
Lily Landolt (District 3)
Erik Hernandez (District 4)
Francisca Montoya (District 5)
Kevin Danzeisen (District 5)
PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Erik Hernandez, P&Z Commission
Pam Schwartz, Sun City
Wilburn Edgar Meador Jr., Sun City West
Jenn Rahn, LAFB Community Initiatives Team
Spencer Kamps, Homebuilder’s Association
Jim Bloom, APS
Lisa Atkins, Former ASLD Commissioner
Bill Lally, Tiffany & Bosco, PA
Angela Macaluso, MCDOT
Lynndsay O’Neill, FCDMC
RJ Cardin, MCPRD
Brian Stutsman, MCSO
CONSULTANTS
Logan Simpson
Kimley-Horn
Elliot D. Pollack & Associates
Preparation of the 2023 White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan was made possible through
the collaborative effort of many public and private stakeholders. Maricopa County
extends its appreciation to all who participated in the process.
OUTREACH INTERVIEWS
Luke Air Force Base (LAFB)
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD)
Arizona State Land Department (ASLD)
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO)
City of Buckeye, City of Surprise, City of Peoria,
and Town of Wickenburg
Central Arizona Project
Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA)
Toyota Proving Grounds Representatives, Nick Wood
and Noel Griemsmann, Snell & Wilmer
Joseph D. Liberty, Liberty Southwest Realty, LLC
MANAGEMENT
Jen Pokorski, AICP, CFM, County Manager
Darcy Kober, Assistant County Manager
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Tom Ellsworth, AICP, Planning and Development
Director
Darren Gérard, AICP, Planning Manager
Matt Holm, AICP, Planning Supervisor
Adam Cannon, AICP, Senior Planner (Plan Project
Manager)
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
Fields Moseley, Communications Director
Jason Berry, Deputy Communications Director
Elizabeth Curran, Web and Creative Services Manager
1. OVERVIEW������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������VI
»
PURPOSE & PROCESS����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2
»
CORE PRINCIPLES & STRATEGIES��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5
»
REGIONAL & LOCAL CONTEXT��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������6
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HISTORY OF THE AREA������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14
3. PLAN ELEMENTS���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������24
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LAND USE ELEMENT���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������27
»
TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������37
»
ENVIRONMENT ELEMENT�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44
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GROWTH AREAS ELEMENT����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������54
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ECONOMIC GROWTH ELEMENT���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������62
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OPEN SPACE ELEMENT�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������66
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WATER RESOURCES ELEMENT����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������75
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ENERGY, UTILITIES, & PUBLIC FACILITIES ELEMENT�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������82
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COST OF DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������88
4. APPENDICES��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������92
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APPENDIX A: 2000 WTGA LAND USES���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������94
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APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������95
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APPENDIX C: DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLANS (DMPS)���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������106
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APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������108
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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v
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
LIST OF FIGURES
»
FIGURE 1. COUNTY DOCUMENT RELATIONSHIPS.................................................................................................................................................2
»
FIGURE 2. ADVISORY & REGULATORY DOCUMENTS ............................................................................................................................................3
»
FIGURE 3. PLANNING PROCESS..............................................................................................................................................................................4
»
FIGURE 4. REGIONAL CONTEXT..............................................................................................................................................................................6
»
FIGURE 5. PLANNING AREA....................................................................................................................................................................................7
»
FIGURE 6. MUNICIPAL PLANNING AREAS...............................................................................................................................................................9
»
FIGURE 7. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE........................................................................................................................................12
»
FIGURE 8. LAND OWNERSHIP................................................................................................................................................................................29
»
FIGURE 9. FUTURE LAND USES............................................................................................................................................................................32
»
FIGURE 10. FUTURE LAND USE MAP - NORTHERN SECTION............................................................................................................................33
»
FIGURE 11. FUTURE LAND USE MAP - SOUTHERN SECTION..............................................................................................................................34
»
FIGURE 12. FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION.........................................................................................................................................................38
»
FIGURE 13. MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION....................................................................................................................................................39
»
FIGURE 14. FORECASTED 2050 TRAFFIC CONGESTION (MAG)..........................................................................................................................40
»
FIGURE 15. FUTURE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS................................................................................................................................41
»
FIGURE 16. ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES...........................................................................................................................................................52
»
FIGURE 17. POTENTIAL GROWTH AREA A...........................................................................................................................................................57
»
FIGURE 18. POTENTIAL GROWTH AREA B...........................................................................................................................................................58
»
FIGURE 19. PROJECTED POPULATION GROWTH................................................................................................................................................59
»
FIGURE 20. PROJECTED EMPLOYMENT GROWTH.............................................................................................................................................60
»
FIGURE 21. WILDLIFE CONNECTIVITY..................................................................................................................................................................69
»
FIGURE 22. CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITY AREA............................................................................................................................................70
»
FIGURE 23. OPEN SPACE NETWORK....................................................................................................................................................................73
»
FIGURE 24. WATER AND SEWER SERVICE AREA................................................................................................................................................77
»
FIGURE 25. FORECASTED CHANGE IN WATER USAGE.......................................................................................................................................80
»
FIGURE 26. PUBLIC FACILITIES AND UTILITIES..................................................................................................................................................84
»
FIGURE 27. FUTURE UTILITY AND FACILITY NEEDS...........................................................................................................................................86
vi
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
CHAPTER 1
Overview
» Purpose & Process
» Core Principles & Strategic Priorities
» Regional & Local Context
» History of the Area
1
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
The updated WTGA Area Plan
will guide decision making to
accommodate future growth,
protect quality of life, and advance
economic prosperity for current
and future generations.
2
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
PURPOSE & PROCESS
A county area plan serves as a decision-making
guide, aiding County staff, residents, and prospective
developers. It also provides guidance for the County
Planning and Zoning Commission and the County Board
of Supervisors for growth and development.
A county area plan is part of the Maricopa County
Comprehensive Plan. Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) §
11-804 states that “a comprehensive plan shall be made
with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing
a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development
of the area of jurisdiction pursuant to the present and
future needs of the county.” The comprehensive plan
describes area plans to be “small-scale plans that
account for unique conditions and needs of specific
parts of the county.” In essence, an area plan will
mirror the format of a comprehensive plan by including
elements, goals, policies, a future land use map, and be
updated as necessary to support the comprehensive
plan. Figure 1 below illustrates how the comprehensive
plan relates to area plans and other County documents.
Since the adoption of the White Tank Grand Avenue Area
Plan (WTGA Area Plan) over 20 years ago, the region has
experienced significant growth. The updated WTGA
Area Plan will guide decision-making to accommodate
future growth, protect quality of life and advance
economic prosperity for current and future generations.
An area plan does not change existing zoning. Any
proposed zoning changes must conform to the adopted
Figure 1. County Document Relationships
Other Maricopa County Plan,
Ordinances, Regulations:
Department of Transportation
Flood Control District
Environmental Services
County Area Plans
Scenic Corridor &
Special Studies
Ordinances, Regulations &
Guidelines:
Zoning Ordinance
Subdivision Regulations
Public Participation
Capital
Improvement
Program
County
Budget
Maricopa County Mission, Vision, Strategic Priorities
Broad Policy
Specific Implementation Strategies
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
3
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
comprehensive plan and area plan. Figure 2 below
illustrates the differences between policy documents,
such as comprehensive and area plans, and regulatory
documents, including the zoning ordinance, subdivision
regulations, and the building code. Neither County
policy nor regulatory documents govern incorporated
lands within the WTGA Area Plan.
Figure 2. Advisory & Regulatory Documents
State
Statutes
Building Code
Comp Plan
Required / Regulatory
Advisory / Policy
Advisory / Policy
Required / Regulatory
Required / Regulatory
Area Specific
Plans
Subdivision
Regulations
Zoning
Ordinance
Purpose
The purpose of the WTGA Area Plan is to:
»
Fulfill requirements of Arizona State law.
»
Implement Maricopa County’s Mission, Vision, and Strategic Priorities.
»
Assist Maricopa County Leadership in making informed decisions to:
• Protect public health, public safety, and the environment
• Ensure responsible growth
• Promote quality communities
• Allocate limited financial resources
• Link complex and interrelated issues
• Build community consensus
• Reflect resident desires for their community
»
Identify existing conditions, current issues, and strategies.
4
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
Planning Process
The
process
to
update
the
WTGA
Area
Plan
started with a project kickoff meeting in Spring
2023. Four main phases of the process included:
1) Existing Conditions, 2) Community Engagement, 3)
Drafting the Plan, and 4) Finalizing the Plan.
Figure 3. Planning Process
Internal Document only – 5/25/23
Executive Summary
(Full report available upon request)
7/13/23
Cover photos of the Community
Participation Plan and the
Existing Condition Report.
5
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
CORE PRINCIPLES & STRATEGIES
The County’s Comprehensive Plan contains the following three core principles:
The WTGA Area Plan embraces these County-wide core principles throughout the document and articulates
the following five strategic priorities specific to the WTGA planning area. Resident input, received through
public meetings, questionnaires, and meetings with interest groups provided the basis for the strategic
priorities shown below.
Strategic Priority 1: Improve congested and
unsafe intersections.
Land use decisions should further mitigate traffic
safety or congestion issues, and the County should
coordinate with Arizona Department of Transportation
(ADOT) to improve problem intersections.
Strategic Priority 2: Protect scenic corridors,
views, and open spaces.
Land use decisions should analyze impacts on key
corridors and natural assets and make every effort to
preserve and protect each one.
Strategic Priority 3: Limit light pollution to
protect dark skies.
Design new lighting and modify existing lighting during
development to meet dark sky requirements.
Strategic Priority 4: Discourage development
that is incompatible with Luke Air Force
Base’s (LAFB) mission and operations.
New development in and around the high noise and
accident potential zones (HNAPZs) of LAFB and LAFB
Auxiliary Airfield #1 should be compatible with the
designated mission and operation of each facility.
Strategic Priority 5: Ensure that development
in the County has the appropriate services
for water, wastewater, education, and public
safety.
Land use decisions should analyze the impacts on
service levels and infrastructure for the benefit of
existing and future residents. Development that has
more intense service or infrastructure needs should be
encouraged to develop in cities and towns where the
provision levels are higher and more commensurate to
the needs of urban development.
Strategic Priorities
1. Decisions should support implementation of Maricopa County’s mission
statement and strategic priorities.
2. Maintain a disciplined approach where comprehensive plan policies and
growth-related decisions are understandable, measurable, consistent,
practical, and promote efficiency. Land use decisions are also based on
these factors.
3. Avoid future problems by carefully considering past decisions.
6
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
REGIONAL & LOCAL CONTEXT
The WTGA Area Plan is approximately 727 sq. miles,
or 465,114 acres, and is located northwest of the City
of Phoenix along Maricopa County’s northern border,
which abuts Yavapai County. The WTGA Area Plan
comprises approximately 8% of Maricopa County and
drove population growth in the region over the past
two decades. The boundary follows a combination of
municipal borders and roads, resulting in the orange
area depicted in the map below.
2023 WTGA Planning Area
The WTGA planning area shown in Figure 5 on page 7
underwent notable changes since the last adoption
on December 6, 2000. The region’s rapid growth
and development resulted in numerous municipal
annexations of unincorporated Maricopa County by
cities, such as Buckeye, Goodyear, and Peoria. As a
result, the updated WTGA planning area shifted to
remove some areas that are now under local jurisdiction.
In addition, the boundary shifted westward to the border
of Vulture Mine Road for the County to better plan for
future growth to the northwest along the US Route 60
corridor. The southern boundary was kept intact to
account for inclusion of the High Noise and Accident
Potential Zones (HNAPZs) surrounding both Luke Air
Force Base (LAFB) and Luke Auxiliary Airfield #1. The
existing WTGA planning area boundary has an area
of 759 sq. miles or 485,760 acres, while the proposed
boundary will decrease to 727 sq. miles or 465,114 acres.
Located to the northwest of Phoenix, the WTGA planning area makes up 8% of Maricopa County’s land
area, which is 9,225 sq. miles. The WTGA planning area for the update is bounded by the Maricopa/
Yavapai County line to the north; South Vulture Mine Road and the City of Buckeye to the west; Sun City,
Sun City West, and City of Peoria to the east; and White Tank Regional Park/I-10 to the south.
727
sq. miles 465,114
acres
Figure 4. Regional Context
7
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Figure 5. Planning Area
8
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
Municipal Planning Areas (MPAs) within
the WTGA Area Plan
Municipal Planning Areas (MPAs), shown in Figure 6
on page 9, extend across most of the WTGA planning
area excluding the developments of Sun City, Sun
City West, and a western portion of the planning area
north of Buckeye. Local jurisdictions often have long
term annexation plans for the unincorporated areas
within their MPAs. While the local jurisdictions do not
have regulatory authority outside of their municipal
boundaries, this map highlights the importance of
collaboration between Maricopa County and the local
communities within the WTGA planning area. Municipal
logos of some of the larger jurisdictional coverages are
shown on the left.
Surprise Town Center, Shutterstock
9
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Figure 6. Municipal Planning Areas
10
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
HISTORY OF THE AREA
Maricopa County was established in 1887, followed
by the founding and incorporation of cities and towns
across the region through the late 1800s to mid-1900s.
A plan for the WTGA planning area was not established
until 1982 with the adoption of the White Tank/Agua
Fria Policy and Development Guide along with the
Grand Avenue Corridor Land Use Plan in 1992. The first
comprehensive plan for the County, Eye to the Future
2020, was adopted in 1997 and helped lay a foundation
for continued growth in the region. The Countywide
comprehensive plan also led to the adoption of the
first consolidated sub area plan for the WTGA Area.
The WTGA Area Plan will update the 2000 plan and will
account for the significant growth that has occurred over
the past two decades and the continued growth that is
projected over the next twenty years. While the WTGA
planning area is now situated in the nation’s fourth
largest county, the area’s most significant population
growth did not occur until the 21st century. The area’s
history, however, dates back thousands of years.
As early as 9000 B.C. various indigenous tribes
inhabited this region. These early tribes were comprised
of nomadic people traveling through the area on their
way from Asia and Alaska to Mexico and South America.
However, because of their nomadic existence their
settlements did not become part of the landscape, and
little is known about their way of life.
The first known permanent settlers were the Hohokam
people, who occupied the area from approximately 500
to 1450 A.D. It is believed that this group lived in small
farming villages throughout the region, including in
the present White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Their
dwellings were shallow, rectangular pit homes built
primarily below ground. As their culture developed, they
began concentrating on small settlements in larger
villages surrounded by walls. Once this occurred, the
Hohokam built an extensive irrigation canal system
along the Salt and Gila River Valleys, much of which
was used by the European settlers in the 19th century.
Although the Hohokam attained a high degree of
stone-age civilization, they had no alphabet or written
language and therefore left no narrative stories. This
is unfortunate because sometime around 1300 A.D.,
the Hohokam abandoned the area for locations and for
reasons still not known.
Beginning in the 1500’s, the Spanish explorers
colonized the region, and from 1540 to 1821 claimed
the area for the Spanish crown. When Mexico declared
independence from Spain in 1821, the region became
part of the Republic of Mexico. However, neither Spain
nor Mexico extensively settled in the area and very
little permanent occupation occurred in either the Salt
or Gila Valleys. With the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
in 1848 and the Gadsden Purchase in 1853, the entire
region became part of the United States. The first Anglo-
American settlers, primarily trappers, began arriving in
the region during the 1820’s. However, it was the mid-
1800’s California gold rush that transformed the Gila
River into a virtual highway of settlers and prospectors.
In fact, it is estimated that by 1851 over 60,000 people
had passed through the Gila River Valley on their way to
California.
By the late 1800’s, Anglo settlement increased due to
the expanded presence of the U.S. Army, large-scale
irrigation development, the discovery of minerals, and
the opening of the railroad. In 1877, the “Desert Land
Act” permitted settlers to obtain title to 640 acres
of desert land if they agreed to irrigate it within three
years. By the 1890’s, over 100,000 acres of desert were
irrigated in the Salt and Gila River areas which attracted
still more settlers to the region. Settlement occurred in
the Buckeye area as early as 1855, Peoria in 1888, and
Glendale in 1892. Irrigation and agricultural production
accelerated with the completion of the Roosevelt Dam
in 1911 and the entry of Arizona into the Union in 1912.
Other dams were also constructed along the Salt, Verde,
and Agua Fria Rivers. The 176-foot-high Waddell Dam,
constructed in 1927, was at the time the largest multiple
arch dams in the world.
By World War I, several West Valley communities
began to emerge. El Mirage, Surprise, Litchfield Park,
Goodyear, Avondale, and Tolleson grew primarily due
to cotton production. These communities later took
on increasing importance around 1940 when a U.S.
Army representative was sent to Arizona to find a site
Hohokam Irrigation System Visualization, Robert B. Ciaccio
11
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
for an Army Air Corps field for training fighter aircraft
pilots. In 1941, a 1,440-acre site was chosen, and Luke
Air Force Base (LAFB) was opened. Luke trained over
12,000 fighter pilots by the end of World War II but was
decommissioned in 1946. In 1951, LAFB was reactivated
and has been training U.S. and Allied pilots ever since.
LAFB was named after Second Lieutenant Frank Luke
who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
and the number-two U.S. flying ace in World War I.
World War II also marked a change in land use patterns
throughout the area. Low-cost land and industrial
decentralization
brought
electronics,
aluminum,
and aerospace industries to the region. Along with
these industries came more people, and agriculture
began to be replaced by residential development. The
area’s pleasant climate and the widespread use of air
conditioning made the West Valley attractive to retirees.
Retirement communities became part of the region’s
growth pattern when Youngtown and Sun City started
in the mid-1950’s. Retail business followed people
here, and many stores moved from central Phoenix to
suburban areas. Completion of the Central Arizona
Project, Interstate-10, and other major roadways also
had impact on growth in the West Valley as individuals
and business were able to move farther way from
central city services, creating villages, satellite cities
and master planned communities.
Today, the WTGA planning area is one of the fastest
growing regions in the county. This growth continues to
offer certain benefits such as access to urban services,
increased employment opportunities, as well as location
and housing choices for residents. However, growth and
development continue to exacerbate certain problems
such as urbanization of rural, agricultural, and Sonoran
Desert areas, increasing the cost of servicing scattered
development and increasing air pollution due to longer
travel distances. While not a complete solution the
WTGA Area Plan assists in addressing these problems
by
enhancing
cooperation
between
government
agencies, citizens, and other affected interests, and
by considering regional implications. Figure 7 below
illustrates the comprehensive history of and timeline for
the region.
Waddell Dam - 1927, Mark Durben
Frank Luke - 1918, USAF
12
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
Figure 7. Planning and Development Timeline
Planning & Development Timeline
for the White Tank Grand Avenue Area
13
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
CHAPTER 2
14
CHAPTER 2: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community
Engagement
15
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
“I’d definitely say that the people
make this area great. Everyone
knows each other and helps out.”
-Community member when asked what makes the White Tank Grand Avenue Area unique.
16
CHAPTER 2: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community engagement is the cornerstone of any
comprehensive planning effort. In 2000, the County
Board of Supervisors adopted a Public Participation
Program in accordance with ARS § 11-805.B. This
program established the minimum public participation
required to ensure an inclusive and comprehensive
planning process. In accordance with the program and
with ARS, the project team developed a wide range of
strategies to both efficiently and effectively guide the
public input process for the plan update. These strategies
included meetings with the Plan Advisory Committee
(PAC), outreach discussions with key stakeholders, a
project website, live surveys, online questionnaires,
and social media outreach. In addition, members of the
public also had an opportunity to participate in public
meetings and hearings with the Planning and Zoning
Commission and the Board of Supervisors.
JUNE 2023
OCTOBER 2023
PAC Meeting
June 27th, 2023
Questionnaire #1 Launched
July 19th, 2023
Virtual Community Meeting
July 19th, 2023
In-Person Community Meeting
August 24th, 2023
PAC Meeting
August 29th, 2023
Questionnaire #2 Launched
September 4th, 2023
In-Person Community Meeting
September 27th, 2023
PAC Meeting
October 4th, 2023
Virtual Community Meeting
Questionnaire #3 Launched
October 16th, 2023
Engagement Photos from Community Meetings in Sun City
West and at Morristown Elementary School
17
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Plan Advisory Committee (PAC) Meetings
Early in the process, the plan project team identified
several key entities to serve as part of a Plan Advisory
Committee (PAC). The PAC consisted of community
representatives, stakeholders, and subject matter
experts. This group met virtually three times between
June and October 2023 to discuss a variety of topics,
including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
for the area as well as strategies, goals, and policies of
the plan. The purpose of the PAC was to guide and direct
the planning process within their areas of expertise. The
PAC also served as ambassadors to the plan getting the
word out about various community engagement events.
Contributing Partner Interviews
Those unable to serve on the PAC, but otherwise
interested were given the opportunity to provide
input through a virtual interview. The project team
conducted interviews between June and October 2023.
Participants are detailed on the Acknowledgment page
of this document.
Community Questionnaires
The project team posted community questionnaires on
the project website between July and October. The goal
of the first questionnaire was to understand the quality of
life, reasons why participants live, work, and recreate in
the area, and top issues or areas to improve. The second
questionnaire asked for feedback on strategic priorities
and goals for the area. Lastly, the third questionnaire
launched with the October community meeting for
community members to provide input on the draft plan.
All questionnaires asked locational questions to ensure
comprehensive engagement across the WTGA planning
area.
Community Meetings
The project team held four community meetings
between July and October 2023. Two virtual meetings
were held at the beginning and end of the process, an in-
person morning meeting was held at Sun City West and
an in-person evening meeting was held at Morristown
Elementary School. The meetings were all advertised
broadly. Content at the meetings included interactive
participation such as live polls, comment cards,
interactive poster boards, and direct communication
with the project team.
Engagement Photos from Community Meetings in Sun City
West and at Morristown Elementary School
18
CHAPTER 2: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Engagement Photos from Community Meetings in Sun City West and at Morristown Elementary School
19
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
OUTREACH CALENDAR OF EVENTS
PARTICIPATION
June 27, 2023
PAC meeting # 1
12 Representatives
July 19, 2023
Questionnaire #1 (active until August 31, 2023)
134 Respondents
Virtual Community Meeting #1 (5:30 – 6:30 PM / Notice published on July 6th; July
10th; and July 14th in District 4 email blast, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
Newsflash, Press Releases, Facebook, Nextdoor, and through PAC members)
28 Attendees
August 24, 2023
In-Person Community Meeting #2 (10:00 – 11:30 AM, Palm Ridge Recreation Center,
Sun City West / Notice published on August 3rd, 7th, 18th and 23rd in District 4 email
blast, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Newsflash, Facebook, Nextdoor, and
through PAC members)
57 Attendees
August 29, 2023
2nd PAC meeting
12 Representatives
August 31, 2023
ZIPPOR (Planning and Zoning Commission workshop) Meeting
9 Representatives
Questionnaire #2 (active until September 30, 2023)
234 Respondents
September 27, 2023
In-Person Community Meeting #3 (5:00 – 6:30 PM, Morristown Elementary School
/ Notice published on September 6th, 8th, 13th, 22nd, and 25th in District 4 email
blast, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Newsflash, Press Releases, Facebook,
Nextdoor, and through PAC members)
60 Attendees
October 4, 2023
3d PAC meeting
12 Representatives
October 16, 2023
Questionnaire #3 (The results of this questionnaire will be communicated at the BOS
hearing and within the final document.)
TBD
Virtual Community Meeting #4 (5:30 – 7:00 PM / Notice published on October 3rd;
5th, 9th, and 13th in District 4 email blast, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
Newsflash, Press Releases, Facebook, Nextdoor, and with PAC members, (The results
of this community meeting will be communicated at the BOS hearing and within the
final document.)
32
Community Outreach Calendar of Events, June - October 2023
20
CHAPTER 2: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
WHAT DID WE HEAR?
Below is a summary of community feedback highlights
throughout the planning process.
Feedback from Questionnaire #1, outreach interviews,
and the first virtual community meeting is presented
below. In these engagement events, participants
were asked about their relationship to the planning
area, what’s going well, and where they see areas for
improvement.
Top reasons to live,
work & recreate in area:
Top issues & areas
to improve:
OPEN SPACE/PARKS/
RECREATION
WATER SUPPLY
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
TRAFFIC CONGESTION
ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
FACILITIES
SAFETY ON ROADWAYS
PEACEFUL LIVING
OVER DEVELOPMENT
RURAL LIFESTYLE
DIMINISHED RURAL
CHARACTER
“It has a rural feel without being
too far from amenities. Beautiful
mountain views and dark skies.”
“Access to outdoor
activities and affordable
neighborhoods.”
“Beautiful area. Please ensure there
is balance between development and
preserving.”
21
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
What makes the
White Tank Grand
Avenue Area Unique?
At the first PAC meeting,
participants articulated the
following within a live poll:
How would you rate the quality
of life in the White Tank Grand
Avenue Area?
FAIR
(11%)
POOR
(4%)
GOOD
(52%)
EXCELLENT
(28%)
NO OPINION
(5%)
STRENGTHS
»
Community
»
Economy
»
Rural
»
Open Space
»
Housing Affordability
»
Growth
»
Economic Development
»
Employment Opportunities
»
Community Development
»
Tourism
»
LAFB
OPPORTUNITIES
»
Limited Water Supply
»
Loss of Rural Character
»
Missing Infrastructure
»
Land Use Conflicts
THREATS
»
Infrastructure
»
Local Services
»
Traffic
»
Transit and Commute
»
Housing Availability
»
Land Uses
WEAKNESSES
SWOT
ANALYSIS
22
CHAPTER 2: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
WHAT DID WE HEAR? (CONTINUED)
Feedback from Questionnaire #2, the second and third
community meetings, outreach interviews, and in the
second PAC meeting, participants had the opportunity
to share their opinions on strategic priorities for the
planning area. The results from these exercises,
summarized below, helped inform the plan’s strategic
priorities, goals, and policies.
Protect Scenic Corridors, Views, and
Open Spaces.
Discourage development that is incompatible with
Luke Air Force Base (LAFB) mission and operations.
Coordinate with Arizona Department
of Transportation (ADOT) to improve
congested/dangerous intersections.
Encourage urban development going to cities
and towns where urban service/infrastructure
are readily available.
Limit pollution to protect dark skies.
Coordinate with adjoining jurisdictions on
the provisions of neighborhood commercial
and employment uses as growth occurs.
Coordinate with Cities/Towns to
maintain buffers around rural areas.
Encourage lower density and less
intense development.
23
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Engagement Photos from Community Meetings in Sun City
West and at Morristown Elementary School
CHAPTER 3
24
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Plan Elements
» Land Use
» Transportation
» Environment
» Growth Areas
» Open Space
» Water Resources
» Energy, Utilities, &
Public Facilities
» Cost of Development
25
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
The WTGA Area Plan establishes
comprehensive and broad goals
and policies for each topic area or
element in the plan.
26
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
OVERVIEW OF THE ELEMENTS
The WTGA Area Plan establishes comprehensive
and broad goals and policies for each topic area or
element in the plan. These goals and policies support
the core principles of the comprehensive plan and the
community-driven strategic priorities for the WTGA
planning area. The WTGA Area Plan should be read and
used in conjunction with the County’s Comprehensive
Plan. For comprehensive plans, the ARS require
the inclusion of eight plan elements: Land Use,
Transportation, Environment, Growth Areas, Open Space,
Water Resources, Energy and Cost of Development. ARS
allows for optional elements as well. For consistency
with the comprehensive plan, this section will include
these required elements as well as the elective element
of Economic Growth.
Section Structure & Definitions
Each element includes a general discussion of the topic and analysis followed by applicable goals and policies
which are defined as follows:
Goal: A concise statement describing the condition to be achieved. It is derived from the core principles
of the comprehensive plan and the strategic priorities for the area and does not suggest specific actions
but describes a desired outcome.
Policy: A specific statement derived from the goals to guide public and private decision making.
Elements
The following sections contain a detailed discussion of each element.
1. LAND USE
2. TRANSPORTATION
3. ENVIRONMENT
4. ECONOMIC GROWTH
6. OPEN SPACE
7. WATER RESOURCES
8. ENERGY, UTILITIES, &
PUBLIC FACILITIES
5. GROWTH AREAS
9. COST OF DEVELOPMENT
27
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
LAND USE ELEMENT
The Land Use Element is required per ARS and designates the proposed general
distribution, location, and extent of uses of the land for housing, business, industry,
agriculture, recreation, education, public buildings and grounds, open space, and
other uses within the WTGA planning area. Additionally, in accordance with the
statutes, this section addresses the following:
»
Standards of population density and building intensity for various land use
categories,
»
Specific policies that the County may use to promote compact development
activity and locations where those patterns are encouraged,
»
Policies that address maintaining a broad variety of land use categories
including a discussion of the existing land uses, and
»
Discussion and identification of sources of aggregates from maps available
form state agencies as well as polices to preserve aggregate resources and the
avoidance of incompatible land uses.
The consideration of air quality and access to solar energy is discussed in
subsequent sections of this chapter.
Sun City, Shutterstock
28
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Existing Land Uses
As shown in the bar chart below, over 190,000 acres or
nearly 51% of land use within the WTGA planning area
is designated rural. A significant portion of land is also
dedicated to open space at approximately 28% and
military-compatible uses at 8%. Single family land uses
make up approximately 11% and the remainder of uses
including employment and commercial make up less
than 2%.
Existing Land Ownership
Existing land ownership as shown in Figure 8 on page
29 is an important factor when determining future
land use. As shown in gray, nearly half, or 46%, of the
land within the WTGA Plan Area is privately owned.
The Arizona State Land Department (ASLD), shown in
dark blue at 29%, manages the state trust lands with
the mission of enhancing their resources for the value
and optimization of economic return for their trust
beneficiaries. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
owns 17% of land within the WTGA Plan Area, and local
or state parks account for 7% of the area. The military
owns 1% of the land in the planning area and these areas,
along with adjacent lands under private ownership, are
regulated by the state defined HNAPZ. The nature and
use of these lands are reflected in both the future land
use designations and on the Future Land Use Map in
Figure 9 on page 32.
Aggregate Resources
According to the Arizona Geological Survey, there are
a number of active mines located within the WTGA
planning area. Most are located along the Agua Fria
River and to the east of Luke Air Force Base. Resources
mainly include sand and gravel, crushed stone, and salt.
While aggregate mining is an important and necessary
part of the economy, the noise, light, dust, and traffic
from mines can impact the quality of life of nearby
residents. To protect aggregate mining and safeguard
residents’ enjoyment of their property, Maricopa County
supports open space buffers, land use transitions and
other techniques that appropriately separate existing
and future aggregate mining operations from residential
land uses. ARS require that existing mining operations
should be preserved for future development and policies
should be in place to avoid incompatible land uses.
While the Future Land Use Map addresses general
location where aggregate can be found, Maricopa
County also encourages developers and property
owners to research the location of existing and future
mining operations prior to purchasing or choosing to
develop a property. Common sources of aggregate
resources are mountains and washes or riverbeds. For
more information on potential locations of aggregate
resources, refer to the Arizona Geological Survey
Document Repository for the current Geologic Map
Database for Aggregate Resource Assessment for the
Phoenix Metropolitan Area and surrounding regions.
Existing WTGA Area Land Use by Category (% Acres)
29
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Figure 8. Land Ownership
30
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Future Land Uses
All future land use designations have been updated
since the previous plan was adopted in 2000 to align with
Maricopa County’s Comprehensive Plan and mapped to
illustrate the community’s vision for the planning area.
As described in Chapter 1, the WTGA planning area has
been revised and is now 727 Sq. Miles. The following
reflects significant changes to the Future Land Use Map
illustrated in Figure 9 on page 32:
»
Two potential growth areas, which are more fully
described in the growth areas section, are added to
account for anticipated population and job growth.
»
Land owned by the BLM that changed from rural to
open space to align with BLM’s preferred land uses
for these areas.
»
Land owned by the ASLD changed from open
space to single-family rural to accommodate future
potential development in accordance with the ASLD
mission.
»
Approved Comprehensive Plan Amendments (CPAs)
since the previous plan are identified within the map
along with their associated land use categories.
»
Approved Development Master Plans (DMPs) are
identified.
»
Approve scenic corridors, designated floodways,
and special flood hazard zones.
»
General designation of areas where aggregate
resources are found.
»
All incorporated areas within the planning area are
shown as gray or light blue within the HNAPZ of
LAFB and the Luke Auxiliary Field #1. These areas
are not governed by County land use policy or
regulation but are shown for continuity of the WTGA
planning area.
For ease of viewing, the Future Land Use Map is also
divided into two sections in Figures 10 and 11 on pages
33 and 34.
The breakdown of future land uses within the
unincorporated area of the WTGA planning area includes
nearly 177,000 acres, or 47%, of land designated as
Single Family – Rural. Unincorporated area makes up
590 square miles of the plan area. This rural designation
surrounds the White Tank Mountain Regional Park and
covers much of the area’s northwest quadrant. Open
space comprises over 114,000 acres or over 30% of the
area. The military compatible use accounts for 8% of
the planning area. While some of this area is under local
jurisdiction, the use remains the same given the needs
of LAFB and the regulations outlined in ARS. In addition
to rural development, several other single family land
use types are also represented, including large lot, small
lot, and transitional lot which make up over 12% of the
area. The remaining uses make up less than 2% of the
planning area and include employment, commercial,
zoo, community service, multiple family – low, utilities,
heavy industrial, neighborhood retail, community retail,
and office.
Future Land Use Category
Acres
Percent
Single Family - Rural
176874
46.84%
Open Space
114267
30.26%
Single Family - Transitional Lot
38140
10.10%
Military Compatible
31622
8.38%
Single Family - Large Lot
9172
2.43%
Mixed Use Employment
6139
1.63%
Single Family - Small Lot
368
0.10%
Regional Commercial
355
0.09%
Zoo
154
0.04%
Community Service
100
0.03%
Multiple Family - Low
91
0.02%
Utilities
89
0.02%
Heavy Industrial
79
0.02%
Neighborhood Retail
66
0.02%
Community Retail
37
0.01%
Office
20
0.01%
Total:
377,573
100%
Note: Total acreage excludes incorporated area.
31
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Future Land Use Designations
The WTGA Area Plan has been updated to reflect the
current future land use designations as identified in
the Comprehensive Plan. Although the Comprehensive
Plan has an all-inclusive list of designations that can be
referenced, the WTGA Area Plan utilizes the following
sixteen (16) future land use designations with their
respective description and characteristics.
Regional Retail
Lead tenant of more than one department store along
with small-scale secondary stores typical of outlet
or enclosed malls; total retail space: 400,000+ Sq. Ft
(anchor ratio: 50% - 70%); typical site area: up to 100
acres.
Community Retail
Lead tenant of one or more department, warehouse, or
specialty retail stores along with small-scale secondary
stores typical of a Power Center; total retail space:
100,000 - 400,000+ Sq. Ft (anchor ratio: 40% - 60%);
typical site: up to 40 acres.
Neighborhood Retail
Lead tenant single supermarket or specialty retail store
along with small-scale secondary stores; total retail
space; 30,000 – 150,000 Sq. Ft. (anchor ratio: 30% - 50%);
typical site area: up to 15 acres.
Mixed Use Employment
Mix of office, research, warehouse, light industrial, and
support employment uses on the same or adjacent
parcels. Residential and general retail uses are not
allowed.
Office
Office space for administrative, professional, semi-
professional, and support activities where no retail trade
is conducted.
Heavy Industrial
Manufacturing, assembly, and fabrication of large
goods requiring heavy raw materials; processing and
refinement of natural resources.
Military Compatible
Applicable only within ARS defined High Nose or Accident
Potential Zone (HNAPZ). It includes only those uses
determined to be compatible and consistent with the
HNAPZ of a military airport or ancillary military facility.
Community Service
Facilities for government, education, religious worship,
cemeteries, social gathering, public safety, residential
care, and large-scale medical care which serves the
general public.
Utilities
Electric generating plants, water and wastewater
treatment
facilities,
and
associated
offices
and
accessory equipment.
Open Space
Unimproved
areas
specifically
designated
for
preservation in an unaltered, natural state which only
offer passive recreation.
Zoo
Zoo, wildlife preserves, exotic animal farms.
Single-Family Rural
Density of 1 dwelling unit or less per gross acre.
Single-Family - Large Lot
Density greater than 1 dwelling unit per gross acre, but
not more than 2 dwelling units per gross acre.
Single-Family - Transitional Lot
Density greater than 3 dwelling units per gross acre, but
not more than 5 dwelling units per gross acre.
Single-Family - Small Lot
Density greater than 5 dwelling units per gross acre, but
not more than 8 dwelling units per gross acre.
Multiple Family – Low
Density greater than 8 dwelling units per gross acre, but
not more than 12 dwelling units per gross acre.
32
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Aggregate resources
Figure 9. Future Land Uses
33
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Figure 10. Future Land Use Map - Northern Section
34
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Figure 11. Future Land Use Map - Southern Section
35
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Land Use Analysis
Balancing housing and development needs across the
region while maintaining open spaces and the rural
character of the WTGA planning area is a top priority and
challenge for the community. Many community members
recognized the need for more housing and development
to accommodate existing and future residents, but also
expressed their appreciation and concerns for the area’s
retention of a rural and peaceful character and access
to, and protection of, open spaces, viewsheds, and dark
skies. This strong interest in preserving open space and
rural character balanced with needed growth is reflected
in the Future Land Use Map where over 77% of land is
designated as open space and single family - rural.
Future Land Use Strategies
1. Prioritize protection and preservation of open
spaces, views, and rural character. The updated
Future Land Use Map designates all land owned by
the BLM as open space and some of the land owned
by the ASLD as Rural. Rural is also designated
around the area’s largest open space, the White Tank
Mountain Regional Park and interspersed in both
growth areas with guidance to adequately buffer
existing rural and large lot developments. Scenic
corridors, floodways and special flood zones are
illustrated on the Future Land Use Map as a tool
for decision-makers to consider appropriateness of
proposed developments in or near those areas.
2. Accommodate growth where appropriate to address
housing needs. To accommodate housing and to
prioritize growth compactly and most efficiently,
the Future Land Use Map contains two designated
potential growth areas, where higher density
(more compact) and intensity land uses have been
incorporated. These areas lie along US 60 and Loop
303 and are poised for development as they are within
proximity to urban services and infrastructure. The
County encourages development within these areas
to occur in an adjoining municipality with appropriate
water, sewer, police and fire service. Growth areas
are further discussed in the Growth Areas section of
this document.
3. Ensure that development is compatible with Luke
Air Force Base’s mission and operations. Maricopa
County is a longtime supporter of LAFB in the region
and previously instituted a rigorous development
review system to ensure a collaborative relationship
with the base. Policies within the WTGA Area Plan
will continue to ensure that development within
the HNAPZ is both compatible with the mission
and operations at LAFB and compliant with ARS.
Additionally, the areas surrounding the HNAPZ are
also designated on the Future Land Use Map to align
with LAFB’s Graduated Density Concept (GDC). In
short, the GDC supports densities from the 65 Ldn
(noise contours) at 0-2 du/ac to ½ mile, 0-4 du/ac
from ½ to 1 mile, and 0-6 du/ac from 1 to 3 miles.
LAFB Control Tower, U.S. LAFB
36
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Land Use Goal #1:
Promote
balanced,
efficient,
and
compact
land
development patterns within the WTGA planning
area with the appropriate level of services for water,
wastewater, education, and public safety that is
compatible with adjacent land uses, is well integrated
with the transportation system, and is sensitive to the
natural environment.
Land Use Goal #2:
Protect the mission of LAFB as well as the public health,
safety, and welfare in areas around LAFB and Luke
Auxiliary Airfield #1.
Land Use Policy #1:
Maricopa County supports continued coordination with
federal, state, and local agencies to ensure a balanced
mix of land uses in the region.
Land Use Policy #2:
Maricopa County supports development within the
WTGA planning area with commensurate services
or infrastructure and development that adequately
mitigates negative impacts to surrounding lands or
communities.
Land Use Policy #3:
Maricopa County supports increasing the housing stock
in the WTGA planning area in areas that are supported
by the appropriate levels of services and infrastructure.
Land Use Policy #4:
Maricopa County supports providing incentives, such as
density bonuses, for planned communities that set aside
at least 20% of the total single family residential units
for affordable housing, which shall be defined as single
family housing that is 25% lower than the median sales
price of existing homes in the Phoenix metropolitan area,
as determined by the most recent National Association
of Realtors report.
Land Use Policy #5:
Maricopa County supports high quality commercial
centers and well-designed office, business, and industrial
parks that are properly located within the WTGA planning
and that proximate to populated areas and transportation
facilities.
Land Use Policy #6:
Maricopa County will continue to comply with military
airport or ancillary military facility ARS policies by
continuing coordination with LAFB for developments
within and around the HNAPZ of LAFB or Luke Auxiliary
Airfield #1 to ensure compatibility and consistency with
the base mission and operations.
Land Use Policy #7:
Maricopa County supports the LAFB Graduated Density
Concept (GDC) and will continue to increase awareness
of compatible land use planning in the vicinity of the
military airport or ancillary military facility.
Land Use Policy #8:
Maricopa County supports development that aligns with
adopted scenic corridor policies and regulations.
Land Use Policy #9:
Maricopa County supports existing automobile proving
grounds and aggregate resource extraction that is well-
buffered and encourages new proximate development
that is compatible with the continuing operation of
automotive proving grounds and aggregate resource
extraction.
Land Use Policy #10:
Maricopa County supports development that maintains
the rural and open space land use designations as
buffers or transitions around existing rural and large lot
developments in the WTGA planning area.
Land Use Policy #11:
Maricopa County supports the development of regional
retail and employment mixed uses adjacent to Loop 303.
Land Use Policy #12:
Maricopa County supports efforts to preserve major
floodways as open space and/or in a natural state.
LAND USE GOALS AND POLICIES
The goals and policies described in this section are intended to guide future land use decisions within the WTGA
planning area.
37
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT
Transportation Network
Roadway Network
The WTGA planning area’s roadway system varies widely in density and complexity.
Primary road networks include:
1. Inside Loop 303 and along I-10: standard one-mile arterial network with
supporting collectors
2. Sun City/Sun City West: curvilinear roadway network with fewer continuous
corridors
3. Northwest of Loop 303: limited continuous roadways, comprised of State
Routes and Sun Valley Parkway, with little other connectivity
Figure 12 on page 38 shows the existing roadway network. Notable aspects of the
WTGA planning area roadway system include:
»
There are seven freight routes in the WTGA planning area, largely on state
routes and major arterials.
»
Concentrations of serious injury and fatal crashes occur on Loop 303, Bell
Road, and US 60. The Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT)
Transportation System Plan (TSP) identifies the US 60 and Bell Road corridors
in Sun City as crash hotspots for all severities.
»
There are 10 miles of congested roadways, including along US 60 and Loop
303.
»
The majority of pavement in the study area is reported as fair or better; 22.6%
of pavement rated as poor.
Multimodal Transportation
The area’s existing multimodal transportation network includes public transit
systems, active transportation infrastructure, and aviation facilities. The
multimodal transportation network is shown in 13. There are 16 bus routes, 83
bus stops and 2 park-and-rides that serve the WTGA planning area. Transit routes
include local, express, and rural routes.
The area has access to 202 miles of active transportation facilities composed of
hiking trails and shared use paths. Newer arterial roadways in the area include on-
street bicycle lanes and sidewalks. Regional connectivity of bikeways is minimal,
present only along US 60 and Sun Valley Parkway. There are three regional parks in
the area: White Tank Mountain Regional Park, the Hassayampa River Preserve, and
the Vulture Mountains Recreation Area.
Although there are no public airports within the WTGA planning area, there is Luke
Auxiliary #1 Airfield and LAFB. LAFB and Luke Auxiliary Field #1 break up the
arterial street grid network for several miles.
Roadway Network
Opportunities
»
Improving freight bottlenecks
and
facilities
to
better
accommodate
freight
will
improve
economic
development,
traffic
operations, and safety.
»
Investment
in
congestion
mitigation
strategies
and
safety measures will reduce
travel time and crashes.
»
It
would
require
minimal
improvement
to
bring
all
roadways up to fair or good
conditions.
Multimodal Network
Opportunities
»
Expand bus service to the
west and north to improve
connectivity and accessibility.
»
Regional active transportation
facilities would make travel
easier for users looking to walk
or bike.
»
Land
use
constraints
in
proximity
to
LAFB
and
the creation of Loop 303
have
created
development
opportunities for warehousing
fulfillment
and
distribution
facilities.
38
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Figure 12. Functional Classification
39
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Figure 13. Multimodal Transportation
40
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Transportation Network Analysis
In the Momentum 2050 Regional Transportation Plan,
Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) modeled
future traffic congestion for the entire region as shown
below in Figure 14. Without major roadway capacity
investments, many of the arterial roadways in the WTGA
planning area will have a “failing level of service” by
2050. Failing levels of service (LOS) indicate severe
congestion.
To address these anticipated congestion issues,
both MAG and MCDOT are planning multimodal
improvements, which are shown in Figure 15 on page 41.
The planned alignment of the future I-11 corridor is also
mapped and runs along the western side of the WTGA
planning area. This plan notes that a future I-11 is not
guaranteed to develop along this corridor and requires
funding opportunities to become available at the state
level to advance to design and construction.
Planned improvements recommended in ADOT’s US 60
Corridor Study are also mapped. The plan recommends
intersection and corridor improvements along US 60 from
SR 74 to Wickenburg. Recommended improvements are
not currently programmed for funding.
MAG-planned improvements include increasing corridor
capacity, along with interchange, and intersection
projects. There are no major transit enhancements
planned by MAG in the WTGA planning area. MAG-
planned
improvements
are
fiscally
constrained,
meaning that these improvements are expected to be
fully funded with revenues collected through 2050.
MCDOT-planned projects are not necessarily fiscally
constrained, meaning that funding is not identified for
all the improvements in the map.
I-11 Intermountain West Corridor
I-11 is a planned new interstate corridor connecting
the Mexican border at Nogales with Las Vegas, also
servicing the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan
areas. The Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study
was published in 2021 and identifies a 2,000-foot-
wide corridor as a starting point within which the
proposed interstate would be constructed.
Arizona does not currently have funding identified
to construct the interstate; however, upgrades to
US 93 between Wickenburg and I-40 are being
designed and constructed to interstate standards
for future conversion to I-11.
Figure 14. Forecasted 2050 Traffic Congestion (MAG)
41
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Figure 15. Future Transportation Improvements
42
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Transportation Goal #1:
Coordinate land use decisions with transportation
investments to maintain and expand the existing
transportation network to responsibly accommodate
growth.
Transportation Goal #2:
Promote and protect public health by improving roadway
safety and mitigating traffic congestion.
Transportation Goal #3:
Support the development of the WTGA planning area as
a regional logistics and warehousing hub along Loop 303
and around LAFB.
Transportation Goal #4
Promote and improve infrastructure for alternative
methods of transportation for, bicyclists, pedestrians,
golf-cart users and equestrians.
Transportation Policy #1
Maricopa County supports the preservation of the
necessary right of way to maintain and extend the one-
mile grid system and the preservation of the scenic
corridors outlined in the plan.
Transportation Policy #2
Maricopa County supports the enforcement of minimum
street standards and subdivision requirements to ensure
adequate secondary or emergency access for emergency
vehicles as well as applicable MCDOT standards for all
new collector and arterial roads.
Transportation Policy #3
Maricopa
County
supports
developer(s)
taking
responsibility for the construction of new roads that
provide access to new development. Upon completion of
construction, roads that are of regional or community-
wide significance should be dedicated to a local
jurisdiction or Maricopa County, as appropriate.
Transportation Policy #4
Maricopa County supports improvement of the LOS on
congested roadways, including US 60 and Bell Road,
through MAG and MCDOT-recommended capacity
improvements as well as regional signal coordination
through inter-jurisdictional cooperation and the use of
intelligent transportation system (ITS) innovations and
program advancements.
Transportation Policy #5
Maricopa County supports continued monitoring of
intersections with high rates of serious injury and fatal
crashes (including along US 60 and Bell Road in Sun
City) development of appropriate countermeasures to
address them, and pursuit of regional, state, and federal
funding mechanisms to construct safety-oriented
improvements.
Transportation Policy #6
Where feasible and effective, Maricopa County supports
designing new roadways to include pedestrian facilities
with separation from vehicular traffic to improve comfort
and safety as well as safe multimodal crossings on
arterial roadways near trails, schools, and other activity
centers.
Transportation Policy #7
Maricopa County supports Maricopa County Sheriff’s
Office (MCSO) coordinating with local police departments
to develop a coordinated traffic enforcement plan to
ensure high-crash locations are appropriately monitored.
Transportation Policy #8
Maricopa County supports mitigation of truck traffic
noise and pollution impacts on residential communities
through use of a primary freight network, construction of
sound walls, and engine braking prohibitions.
Transportation Policy #9
Maricopa County supports the identification and
evaluation of regional-scale public transportation, such
as an express bus service to connect the WTGA planning
area to the rest of the Phoenix region.
TRANSPORTATION GOALS AND POLICIES
The following goals and policies are identified to aid in improving and expanding transportation opportunities for
residents and visitors of the WTGA planning area.
43
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Transportation Policy #10
Maricopa
County
supports
coordination
with
WTGA planning area jurisdictions to ensure active
transportation plans provide system continuity and
connections, including multiuse trails and paths, across
jurisdictions and between municipalities and developed
areas of unincorporated Maricopa County.
I-11 Concept, ADOT
Transportation Policy #11
Maricopa County supports the development of on- and
off-street golf cart facilities and parking at activity
centers, particularly in areas with concentrations of
senior citizens and age-restricted communities such as
Sun City and Sun City West.
44
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENT ELEMENT
The Environment Element is required by ARS and addresses policies and strategies
aimed at anticipated effects on air and water quality and other natural resources
associated with proposed development in the WTGA planning area.
Environmental Features
Maricopa County is known for its warm and dry desert climate, with average high
temperatures ranging from the mid-60s (Fahrenheit) in the winter to an average of
106 degrees in the summer. Most notably, the WTGA planning area is home to the
White Tank Mountain Regional Park shown above, which is comprised of nearly
30,000 acres and the largest regional park in Maricopa County. The region’s major
rivers, the Gila River and Salt River, run east to west through the County just south
of the plan area. The Agua Fria, which provides 83,000 acre-feet of water to Lake
Pleasant annually, runs through the WTGA planning area as does the Hassayampa
River, which flows north to south from Prescott into the Gila River.
Vegetation and Wildlife
Maricopa County includes diverse flora and fauna, including the critically
endangered Sonoran Desert Tortoise, which eats mesquite grass and cactus fruit
and burrows below creosote bushes that give off its distinct musky, earthy smell
after monsoon rainstorms. Maricopa County is home to several endangered and
threatened species that formally had free roam. The Sonoran pronghorn is one of
Mesquite Canyon Trail in White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Mare Czinar
45
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
a handful of species that survived the ice age. The White
Tanks would have been part of the Sonoran pronghorn’s
historical
habitat.
Now,
roughly
200
individual
pronghorns remain with territory within the Barry M
Goldwater Range and the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife
Refuge. The Mexican Wolf once inhabited the park and
was threatened by extinction from poaching and habitat
loss. Programs to reintroduce the Mexican wolves have
succeeded in increasing wolf numbers to roughly 105 in
Arizona. The iconic bald eagle has seen a resurgence in
Arizona since the species was listed in the Endangered
Species Act in 1978. While at one time, there were only
11 breeding pairs, conservation efforts led to a stable
increase in bald eagles in Arizona and their removal from
the Endangered Species List in 2011.
Common Name
ESA Listing Status
Lead Office
Gila trout
Threatened
Fishes
Gila chub
Endangered
Fishes
Acuña Cactus
Endangered
Flowering Plants
Yuma Ridgway's rail
Endangered
Birds
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Threatened
Birds
Southwestern willow flycatcher
Endangered
Birds
Lesser long-nosed bat
Recovery
Mammals
California least tern
Endangered
Birds
Nichol's Turk's head cactus
Endangered
Flowering Plants
Brown pelican
Recovery
Birds
Ocelot
Endangered
Mammals
Razorback sucker
Endangered
Fishes
American peregrine falcon
Recovery
Birds
Gila topminnow (incl. Yaqui)
Endangered
Fishes
Desert pupfish
Endangered
Fishes
Mexican spotted owl
Threatened
Birds
Spikedace
Endangered
Fishes
Arizona Cliffrose
Endangered
Flowering Plants
Desert Tortoise, National Park Service
Additional Threatened Species Within Maricopa County, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Additional Threatened Species Within Maricopa County
46
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
White Tank Mountain Regional Park Petroglyphs, Roger Hall
Archaeology
The White Tank Mountains in Arizona reflect the region’s
storied history with a range of prehistoric and historic
archaeological
sites,
including
prehistoric
Native
American petroglyphs, canal systems, and habitations
ranging from small farming hamlets to large villages.
Western Archaic People were mobile hunter-gatherers
who inhabited and used the area to procure plant and
animal resources as early as 3,500 B.C. The Hohokam
inhabited the area from about A.D. 500 to 1450 and
established habitations and irrigated farmland at the
west end of a large canal system and used the nearby
highlands for hunting for and collecting upland plants
and mineral resources. In the centuries that followed,
O’Odham, Piipaash, and Western Yavapai Tribes visited
the mountains. Petroglyphs, some as old as 5,000 years,
can be found throughout the White Tank Mountains, with
the largest group along the Waterfall Canyon Trail at
“Petroglyph Plaza.”
47
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Air & Water Quality
As shown in the adjacent chart, in 2019, Maricopa
County recorded an annual average of 8.4 micrograms
per cubic meter of fine particulate matter, which is below
the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPAs) annual
average standard of 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter. In
comparison, the State of Arizona as a whole recorded an
annual average of 4.8 micrograms per cubic meter of fine
particulate matter. Policies within this section are aimed
at maintaining air quality in the WTGA planning area
by supporting development that reduces or mitigates
practices that exacerbate this issue.
Maricopa County’s water quality is regulated by the
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
Water supply is primarily from groundwater, accounting
for 54%, while surface water accounts for 39%, and the
remaining 7% comes from reclaimed water. In 2022 the
City of Glendale performed a water quality analysis. The
results showed that the pollutants arsenic, fluoride, and
nitrogen, were below federal maximum contaminant
levels
(MCL)
(http://www.glendaleaz.com/2022ccr).
Similarly, Surprise’s water quality report found no
pollutants in violation of federal MCL levels (surpriseaz.
gov/water reports). Water Quality in the WTGA planning
area appears to be adequate. Water supply and
distribution is further addressed in the Water Resources
section of this chapter.
48
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Potentially Hazardous Areas and Noise
Generating Uses
Although there are various noise generators within the
WTGA planning area such as mining operations and
highways, there are two significant sources of noise
and potential hazards which include automobile proving
grounds and military operations. Additionally, although
the nation’s largest nuclear plant is not within the
WTGA planning area, its proximity merits discussion of
potential hazards impacts of the facility. Development
around these important existing uses should maintain
appropriate buffers and compatibility to ensure the long-
term compatibility of these economic drivers for the
region but to also protect the resident’s quality of life.
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS)
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS) is located
approximately 55 miles west of downtown Phoenix near
the unincorporated community of Wintersburg. PVNGS
supplies power to approximately 4 million people in
several states making it the largest power producing
facility in the U.S. When constructed approximately 30
years ago few people lived near the plant, and while the
surrounding population is still relatively low several large
master planned communities that could eventually be
home to tens of thousands of new residents are planned
within the Emergency Planning Zone. The Maricopa
County
Department
of
Emergency
Management
(MCDEM) defines the Emergency Planning Zone as a
ten-mile radius surrounding PVNGS where protective
actions could be required to safeguard the public from
exposure to radioactive material should an unintended
radioactive release occur. A larger safety area known as
the Ingestion Exposure Pathway Emergency Planning
Zone extends as many as fifty miles from PVNGS and
does impact the WTGA planning area. Protecting lives is
the highest priority in the event of a radioactive incident
at the plant which is why careful land use planning is
so important. Proper transportation planning is also
needed to help ensure the safe and timely evacuation
of residents if necessary. However, careful land use and
transportation planning must also be combined with
educating residents living in the PVNGS area about the
importance of this issue to their health and safety.
Proving Grounds
Automobile manufacturer Toyota operates a 12,000-acre
proving grounds located west of Wittman and 60 miles
northwest of Phoenix. The proving grounds allow Toyota
to test on and off-road vehicles year-round on 25 miles of
paved roads and 52 miles of dirt tracks. Toyota opened the
proving grounds to the broader automotive industry with
the creation of the Arizona Mobility Test Center (AMTC).
AMTC will allow other automobile manufacturers access
to engineering support services as well as access to a
full range of vehicle evaluation validation processes.
Also located near the town of Wittman is the Ford Motor
Company Arizona Proving Ground (APG) operating at a
size of 1,498 acres.
Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant, Google Earth
49
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Luke Air Force Base & Auxiliary Airfield #1
LAFB conducts 16,000 operations in its local airspace
annually. Those operations are critical for Luke’s flight
training mission. In response to rapid development
around the base as well as its Auxiliary Airfield #1,
HNAPZ that surround each of the facilities are defined
and memorialized in the ARS to address compatible
land use around the base and the long-term safety and
welfare of surrounding communities. ARS § 28-8481
identifies specific uses that are and are not considered
compatible with the high noise or accident potential
zone. Other uses may be permitted upon mutual consent
of LAFB and the local jurisdiction. Within the Future Land
Use Map the WTGA Area Plan designates areas within
the HNAPZs as “Military Compatible.” The purpose of
this designation is to ensure that future development
is compatible with the high noise or accident potential
generated by these military facilities that may have
an adverse effect on public health and safety. This
designation complies with ARS so only those uses
that are compatible and consistent with the high noise
or accident potential generated by these facilities are
permitted. State law also identifies a larger risk area
around LAFB and Luke Auxiliary Airfield #1 where
military aircraft can impact public health and quality of
life called “Territory in the Vicinity of a Military Airport”.
This area extends ten miles to the north, south and west,
and four miles to the east parallel from the center of
the main runway at Luke Air Force Base and Auxiliary
Airfield #1. While land use restrictions do not apply in
this area, noise reduction techniques are required in the
construction of new habitable buildings. Additionally,
as discussed in the Land Use section of this document,
Maricopa County acknowledges and supports the LAFB
GDC which surrounds the HNAPZ with delineated and
appropriate densities.
Natural Hazards & Issues
According to the 2021 Maricopa County Multi-
Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, key natural
hazards and issues in the WTGA planning area include:
Wildfires
Wildfires may not pose a serious structural threat to the
largely urban areas of Maricopa County and Phoenix.
However, they do pose a threat to areas deemed “Wildland
Urban Interface” (WUI). With residential and commercial
development encroaching further into the WUI, there is
an increased likelihood of structural damage, human
displacement, and loss of life. During the summer
Luke Air Force Base, Airman First Class Mason Hargrove
Desert Brush Fire, Shutterstock
50
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
months, high temperatures and a dry climate create an
easily combustible environment, resulting in wildfires
ignited by natural events or human error. Additionally, the
Sonoran Desert is not wildfire-adapted. As a result, fires
within the desert open space can create significant and
lasting damage to natural ecosystems highly regarded
by residents in the region.
Extreme Heat
In a valley surrounded by mountains in every direction,
Maricopa County and the Phoenix Metro Area’s
geography creates a unique environment that allows
for temperatures to regularly rise above 100 degrees.
Between 1991 and 2020, Phoenix averaged 111 days
above 100 degrees and a record breaking 145 days
greater than 100 degrees (NWS, 2020). The Arizona
Department of Health Services projects heat waves will
be longer and hotter. Paired with the County’s unique
geography and urban sprawl, the urban heat island
effect could potentially exacerbate the human health
effects. According to Maricopa County’s Climate and
Health Strategic Plan, heat-related human mortality will
increase, along with airborne particulates and pollutants
(Climate Health Strategic Plan, 2016).
Dust, Flooding, and Monsoon Storms
During the monsoon season, approaching thunderstorms
produce downbursts, whipping up the desert dust,
resulting in massive dust storms. Dust storms are often
unpredictable, with the only warning sign being an
imposing wall of dust several thousand feet high and
stretching miles across. Monsoon dust storms frequently
lead to multi-vehicle accidents due to reduced visibility.
Monsoon storms bring a welcome but brief respite from
the extreme summer heat. In Arizona, monsoon season
typically arrives in mid-to-late June and lasts until
September. Winds from the south bring moisture, leading
to thunderstorms across the state. Monsoon storms are
typically brief and intense, with the season delivering
nearly half of Maricopa County’s annual 8.03 inches of
rainfall (Phoenix averages - usclimatedata.com). In areas
with steep terrain, these storms can cause flash flooding
in low-lying roads and dry washes. Flash floods also
pose risks and often start in rural mountainous regions
where heavy rainstorms rapidly transport water through
dry washes and riverbeds. Special Flood Hazard Areas
(commonly known as 100-year floodplains, or areas with
a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given
year) are shown on the Future Land Use Map and on
Figure 16 on page 52 within the WTGP Area Plan.
Land Subsidence and Earth Fissures
Land subsidence has also been identified in the planning
area. This phenomenon occurs when water is removed
from underground reservoirs, and the weight of the
overlying material compresses, causing the land to
settle. Once compressed, alluvial deposits take up
less space than before, and the ground surface sinks.
The effects of subsidence can be significant, including
damage to infrastructure (e.g., highways, railroads,
utilities, irrigation systems, sewage disposal facilities,
recreational facilities, and private residences, increased
flooding, increased potential for groundwater pollution,
and accelerated soil erosion). Land subsidence also
creates another potential problem: earth fissures. Earth
fissures are cracks in the ground surface that occur
because of uneven or differentiated land subsidence.
Earth fissures, found in several areas around LAFB,
usually occur along the periphery of subsidence areas and
carry large volumes of surface water runoff. Depending
on circumstances, fissures can form gullies as much as
50 feet wide and 10 to 15 feet deep. Once fissures begin,
they tend to increase in number and length, spreading
at uneven speeds and directions for several miles.
Figure 16 identifies both significant land subsidence and
known earth fissure activity areas. Water conservation
and reduction measures, as discussed in the Water
Resource section, will continue to be an important factor
in alleviating additional impacts resulting from these
issues.
Phoenix Dust Storm, Alan Stark
51
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Environmental Analysis
As noted in this section, there are several environmental issues that potentially impact the WTGA planning area. As
growth and development continues in this region, the following strategies should be considered to help mitigate and
improve to the extent possible these factors.
Environmental Strategies
1. Prioritize and encourage protection of the natural
and cultural environment. Policies within the
WTGA Area Plan will be designed to protect native
vegetation and wildlife though identification of
native habitats, migration routes, and natural flood
channels. Coordination with Arizona Game and Fish
Department (AZGFD) and surrounding jurisdictions
is key in helping project migration routes and
corridors that cross jurisdictional boundaries.
Continued coordination with the State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) is critical for identifying
and
protecting
historic
and
archaeological
resources as new development occurs. Infill and
compact development can also help create areas for
protection of the natural and cultural environments.
2. Maintain and improve the environment. Though
levels of air and water quality are satisfactory in
the WTGA planning area today, it is important that
they be maintained for the benefit of existing and
future residents of the region. Policies discouraging
mass grading as well as innovative planning and
site design techniques, such as the use of low
impact development process, will be encouraged
to reduce or mitigate environmental degradation.
Implementation of the Maricopa County Multi-
Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan is important
for the WTGA planning area. As development and
redevelopment occurs, dark sky standards will be
applied to continue improving the dark skies within
the region for management of outdoor lighting.
3. Protect and buffer existing noise generating and
potentially hazardous uses. As discussed, there are
a number of uses in the region that are important
to the economy of the region, but also produce
adverse impacts such as noise or other hazards. It is
important to continue support of public notification
of these uses as well as protection of the uses from
encroachment and the public from harm. Policies
are aimed at notification, buffering, and coordination
to ensure that proximate land uses are compatible
around or in areas potentially affected by PVNGS, the
proving grounds, and military facilities.
Cover of Maricopa County Multi-Jurisdictional
Hazard Mitigation Plan, Maricopa County
52
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Figure 16. Environmental Features
53
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Environment Goal #1:
Encourage development practices that improve the
natural and cultural environments and mitigate high risk
hazard areas and natural hazards.
Environment Goal #2:
Protect and support military facilities, missions, and
operations within and around the state delineated high
noise and accident potential zones.
Environment Policy #1:
Where feasible and effective, Maricopa County supports
new development utilizing Low Impact Development
(LID) techniques in site design. LID techniques help
reduce flooding, control dust, and improve water quality,
including minimizing the clearing of native vegetation
and mature trees, and retention of stormwater onsite and
for fire prevention.
Environment Policy #2:
Maricopa County supports development that considers
adverse environmental impacts on the natural and
cultural environment. Specifically, Maricopa County
supports preserving the White Tank Mountains, Agua
Fria River, Hassayampa River ecosystems, and wildlife
corridors, as well as cultural heritage sites, artifacts, and
traditions, and the interface with the surrounding region.
Environment Policy #3:
Maricopa
County
supports
continuing
to
build
relationships and collaborations to preserve ecosystems
by including entities, such as Arizona Game and Fish
Department (AGFD) and the Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality along with Maricopa County’s
Environmental Services and Flood Control District of
Maricopa County (MCFCD) Floodplain Management, in
the entitlement and plan review process.
Environment Policy #4:
Maricopa County supports enforcing its Military
Compatible land use designation and zoning districts for
compatible development within and around the HNAPZ
and protecting the viability of the military presence in the
area and the region.
Environment Policy #5:
Maricopa County supports the enforcement of the Dark
Sky Ordinance and supports regional efforts to limit
excessive nighttime light in accordance with Dark Skies
Association standards.
Environment Policy #6:
Maricopa
County
will
continue
to
support
the
implementation of decisions to buffer noisy or hazardous
activities from quieter less intense areas. This can be
accomplished through coordination with appropriate
entities as well as encouraging site development
techniques to preserve open spaces through naturalized
washes and wildlife corridors.
Environment Policy #7:
Maricopa
County
supports
and
encourages
the
preservation of floodplains and washes and the
protection of viewsheds within scenic corridors.
Environment Policy #8:
Maricopa
County
supports
development
projects
that survey and integrate or protect native plants for
landscaping and shading, regional flood control, and
minimal emissions.
Environment Policy #9:
Maricopa County supports the removal of non-native
vegetation in close proximity to development to reduce
fire hazards and the revegetation of drought-tolerant
plants that minimize wildfire risk.
Environment Policy #10:
Maricopa County supports biological and cultural
surveys in consultation with the SHPO and AGFD for
new developments prior to any new construction or trail
projects.
Environment Policy #11:
Maricopa County supports continued coordination with
proving ground facilities to ensure that they are aware of
any new development within proximity of their facilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS AND POLICIES
The following goals and policies are identified to ensure the environment is maintained, protected, and improved in
the WTGA planning area.
54
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
GROWTH AREAS ELEMENT
The Growth Areas Element is required by ARS and addresses an overview of
growth trends and associated policies with special attention toward areas
suitable for planned multimodal transportation and infrastructure expansion and
improvements designated to support a planned concentration of a variety of uses.
Growth Trends
Per MAG data, the WTGA planning area is expected to grow significantly over the
next forty years. Most of this area’s growth will occur within annexed areas outside
of Maricopa County’s jurisdiction. MAG’s projections are driven by proposed and
potential development within this area along with consideration of proscribed
land uses for undeveloped areas. The unincorporated area is projected to grow in
population from 65,988 to 68,454. The table below represents projected population
growth within the planning area, including the breakdown between growth within
unincorporated Maricopa County and within local jurisdictions.
Projected Population Growth within WTGA Area
Sun City, Shutterstock
55
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Employment growth will accompany population growth
in the WTGA planning area. The table above shows
the projected number of jobs within the planning
area, including both incorporated and unincorporated
Maricopa County. Employment types included in the
job projections include permanent jobs as well as
construction, work-at-home and other non-site-based
employment. MAG developed the above projections
based on both land uses within the planning area and
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
sector-based job categories. A steady increase in
employment is projected between 2020 and 2060 within
the WTGA planning area.
Growth Constraints
The County Comprehensive Plan identified and analyzed
three categories of growth constraints which affect the
location of growth within the WTGA planning area:
1. Physical
constraints
such
as
floodplains,
subsidence/earth fissures, and water availability.
Floodways and special flood hazard areas cover
substantial portions of the planning area, specifically
in the southwest area. Topography and open spaces,
such as Vulture Mountains Recreation Area, White
Tank Mountain Regional Park and the Hassayampa
River Preserve also constrain growth to existing
corridors of development.
2. Built constraints such as infrastructure and services,
noise generating land uses, and hazardous areas.
There are limited infrastructure and services within
the western portion of the planning area, which limits
the potential for new development. The HNAPZs of
LAFB and Luke Auxiliary Airfield #1 also limit the types
of development permitted surrounding these areas.
3. Ownership constraints such as federal land, state
trust land, and Maricopa County regional parks. A
significant portion of the planning area is owned
by the BLM. This land has been designated as open
space, which limits development potential in much of
the north and western portion of the area. In addition,
ASLD owns significant land in the planning area and
their lands are meant to be used for the highest and
best use for the State designated beneficiaries.
Much of this land has been designed as rural.
Though growth may occur anywhere in the WTGA
planning area, combining growth trends with growth
constraints logically leads to two higher potential
growth areas. That said, growth in these areas needs
to be planned and managed to ensure the quality and
sustainability of the region as development occurs.
Road infrastructure, water and sewer capacity, public
safety needs, schools, and sensitivity to the natural
environment must also be considered and addressed.
Employment
Growth within
the WTGA Area
(2020-2060)
56
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Growth Areas
Two potential growth areas are identified in the Future
Land Use Map and in Figures 17 and 18. Both potential
growth areas take into consideration recent past growth
trends and are driven by projected population and jobs
growth depicted in Figure 19 and Figure 20. Whether
the growth in these areas occurs in the unincorporated
County or whether it is annexed and occurs in an adjoining
municipality will greatly depend on the nature of the
development as well as the services and infrastructure
available to service the development adequately. As
per its existing comprehensive plan policy, the County
will continue to encourage urban development to annex
into cities and towns where appropriate levels of service
and infrastructure are more readily available, as well as
ensure that County development has the appropriate
level of services for water, wastewater, education,
and public safety. If development is proposed in
unincorporated Maricopa County, each development will
be analyzed on a case-by-case basis during the planning
and entitlement process.
Potential Growth Area - A
Potential Growth Area A (PGA-A) in Figure 17 on page
57 is located along US 60 between the City of Surprise
and the Town of Wickenburg’s planning areas and north
of the HNAPZs of Luke Auxiliary Airfield #1. This area
has been under high development pressure over the last
decade and is projected to have increased population
and job growth. The area contains the unincorporated
communities of Wittmann, Circle City, and Morristown,
as well as approved comprehensive plan amendments
for Santa Barbara Ranch, Broadstone Ranch, Rancho
Maria, and Walden Ranch, as well as the BNSF industrial
project going through preliminary entitlement in the City
of Surprise. While some of these developments have
zoning in place and others do not, the key factor in the
continued development momentum will be the ability
to service the projects with utilities and public safety
adequately. Other factors in PGA-A will be providing land
use transitions and buffering for new development for
the established and existing rural communities, as well
as protection of the viewsheds and scenic corridors, such
as State Route 74, Castle Hot Springs, and Wickenburg
Highway Scenic Corridor.
Potential Growth Area B
Potential Growth Area B (PGA-B) in Figure 18 on page
58 is located between the City of Buckeye’s planning
area and east of Loop 303 and the HNAPZs of LAFB
and between Peoria Avenue and Indian School Road.
This area has also seen a lot of development pressure
with high projections in job and population growth and
is currently under varying degrees of construction with
the master planned communities of Cortessa, White
Tank Foothills, Granite Vista, and Zanjero Trails. Other
factors in PGA-B will be providing land use transitions
and buffering for new development for established
and existing rural and large lot communities, as well as
protection of the viewsheds and the Olive Avenue Scenic
Corridor.
57
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Figure 17. Potential Growth Area A
58
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Figure 18. Potential Growth Area B
59
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Figure 19. Projected Population Growth
60
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Figure 20. Projected Employment Growth
61
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Growth Areas Goal #1:
Support growth in the potential growth areas that is
fiscally and environmentally responsible, protects public
health and safety, preserves scenic corridors and open
space, buffers and enhances established rural areas,
and promotes sensible annexation patterns.
Growth Areas Policy #1:
Maricopa County supports new development located
within designated potential growth areas as long as the
development is provided with the appropriate level of
services and infrastructure.
Growth Areas Policy #2:
Maricopa County supports annexation for growth with
higher levels of service and infrastructure needs than
can be provided for in the County.
Growth Areas Policy #3:
Maricopa
County
supports
continuing
to
build
relationships with municipalities, school districts, and
other providers and stakeholders within the WTGA
planning area to ensure that both existing and future
residents within the potential growth areas are best
served.
Growth Areas Policy #4:
As new development occurs within the potential growth
areas, Maricopa County supports preserving viewsheds
and scenic corridors as well as the provision of open
space buffers around established rural and large lot
developments.
Growth Areas Policy #5:
Maricopa County supports development within the
growth areas that both accommodates and provides for
multi-modal transportation.
Growth Areas Policy #6:
Maricopa County supports nonresidential development
within the growth areas that is compatible with
established development and mitigates any adverse
effects such as traffic congestion, strain on water supply,
and viewshed obstruction.
Growth Areas Policy #7:
Maricopa County supports a planned concentration of a
variety of uses within the potential growth areas as long
as uses are served adequately and designed to provide
transition and buffers between established uses.
GROWTH AREAS GOALS AND POLICIES
The following goals and policies have been identified and intended to guide decisions related to growth within the
WTGA planning area.
Dysart High School, dysart.org
62
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
ECONOMIC GROWTH ELEMENT
The Economic Growth Element is not required by ARS, however, it is an important
topic to Maricopa County and is addressed in the comprehensive plan. This section
addresses economic strengths and economic growth within the WTGA Planning
Area specifically in relation to the retail and housing industries.
Economic Strengths
The strengths of a local economy can be illustrated by a very simple metric known
as the “Location Quotient” or LQ. LQ compares the percentage of jobs in each
industry in a community to a larger economy, such as a county or state. An LQ over
1.0 indicates that a particular industry has a greater presence in the local economy
compared to the larger economy indicating the strength of the local area. An LQ
less than 1.0 shows the potential weaknesses of an economy. The WTGA planning
area has been compared to that of Maricopa County. The data below includes all
employers with more than 5 employees. As shown on the table below, the WTGA
planning area has a number of strengths in its local economy compared to the
County that benefit the residents and communities of the area.
Location Quotient for WTGA Area
WTGA Area
Maricopa County
Industry Cluster
Employees
% of Total
Employees
% of Total
LQ
Business Services
3,410
4.27%
235,910
12.78%
0.33
Construction
4,870
6.09%
130,570
7.07%
0.86
Consumer Goods Manufacturing
1,580
1.98%
25,540
1.38%
1.43
Consumer Services
9,880
12.36%
206,060
11.16%
1.11
Education
5,290
6.62%
135,900
7.36%
0.90
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate (FIRE)
2,550
3.19%
162,940
8.83%
0.36
Government, Social, & Advocacy Services
13,500
16.89%
141,780
7.68%
2.20
Health Care
3,670
17.10%
224,780
12.18%
1.40
High Tech Manufacturing & Development
480
0.60%
79,360
4.30%
0.14
Hospitality, Tourism, & Recreation
3,210
4.02%
72,580
3.93%
1.02
Media, Publishing, & Entertainment
590
0.74%
13,670
0.74%
1.00
Metal Inputs & Transportation-Related Manuf
480
0.60%
20,270
1.10%
0.55
Non-Metallic Manufacturing
370
0.46%
19,730
1.07%
0.43
Resource-Dependent Activities
1,760
2.20%
21,030
1.14%
1.93
Retail
12,720
15.91%
215,910
11.70%
1.36
Telecommunications
400
0.50%
22,330
1.21%
0.41
Transportation & Distribution
5,180
6.48%
117,550
6.37%
1.02
Total
79,940
1,845,910
Location Quotient for WTGA Area, MAG Arizona Employment Viewer
63
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
The strongest clusters within the local economy include:
»
Government, Social, and Advocacy Services
»
Resource-Dependent Activities (agriculture, mining)
»
Consumer Goods Manufacturing
»
Health Care
»
Retail
»
Consumer Services (restaurants, dry cleaners, etc.)
»
Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreational
»
Transportation and Distribution
»
Media, Publishing, and Entertainment
In particular, the WTGA planning shows significant
strength in the government sector primarily due to the
presence of LAFB. Resource dependent activities also
have a high LQ although employment in that cluster
is modest. Consumer goods manufacturers include
Subzero, Mlily USA, and Ball Corporation.
Weaknesses in the local economy include Business
Services; Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate; High
Tech Manufacturing; Metal Inputs and Transportation-
Related Manufacturing; Non-Metallic Manufacturing;
and Telecommunications. Typically, newly developing
areas of Maricopa County first experience residential
development followed by retail development that
is following rooftops. True job growth in business
services, manufacturing, and other industries lags by a
number of years. Transportation & Distribution is shown
as about equal to Maricopa County levels. It is possible
that the data from MAG does not yet reflect distribution
companies that have entered the area over the past few
years.
Economic Growth
The economy of the WTGA planning area is diverse and
among the fastest growing regions of Maricopa County.
The completion of the Loop 303 Freeway has provided
a significant stimulus to economic growth that will
further expand employment opportunities for the area’s
residents. As noted, the area has a number of strengths
that benefit the residents and communities of the WTGA
Planning area. The predominant industry clusters
include government, consumer goods, and health care.
Since 2018, the WTGA planning area has captured
34% of all industrial development in Maricopa County.
More than 15 million square feet of industrial space is
currently under construction in the WTGA Area. Given
its resources of modern interstate and state highways
(particularly the Loop 303 Freeway), rail service, and
proximity to the Southern California markets, the long-
term outlook for the area to improve its employment
base is very positive.
Retail
The retail market of the WTGA Planning area is
experiencing significant construction activity spurred
by residential growth. With recovery from the lingering
effects of the 2007 – 2009 recession and its weak
recovery, the retail market throughout Maricopa County
is finally seeing new shopping center development.
The retail vacancy rate within the area stands at 1.1%, a
level not seen in recent history, and will stimulate new
development activity. Most of the new retail development
in the area is occurring in the Prasada master planned
community in Surprise near the intersection of Loop 303
and Waddell Road.
Housing
The WTGA planning area has grown rapidly over the past
two decades from an estimated population of 149,000
in 2000 to 391,900 in 2020, creating huge demand for
housing. Today, the area accounts for 20.8% of all
single family housing permits in the metro area with the
majority of that activity occurring in the City of Surprise.
Multifamily housing development has grown modestly
over the past decade, but increased by nearly 1,500 units
in 2021. Most of the units were built in the urbanized
parts of the area in the cities of Surprise and Glendale.
Housing construction will continue in the future in the
region to satisfy the demand for housing generated by
population growth.
64
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
ECONOMIC GROWTH
OPPORTUNITIES
The key economic factor for the WTGA planning
area is diversification of the employment base.
As the area continues to grow, it will offer a
broader range of employment opportunities and
higher wage jobs. Ultimately, this will increase
the jobs-to-population ratio of the area and
reduce commuting for many residents.
Economic Growth Analysis
Building on the population and employment growth
illustrated in the Growth Areas section and the factors
considered in this section, the WTGA planning area
is forecasted by the MAG to increase in population
by approximately 285,700 persons through 2040, an
increase of 61.5%. Job growth will accelerate at an even
faster pace of 70%, creating nearly 93,000 new jobs over
the next 18 years. As a result, the job-to-population ratio
for the WGTA planning area is expected to increase from
0.27 in 2018 to 0.30 by 2040. These rapid growth rates
will have tremendous impact on the region’s economy,
housing market, and employment opportunities.
A population increase of 285,700 persons will likely
create demand for over 114,000 housing units. In order
to accommodate that population, a full range of housing
types will be required, from suburban ranches to high
density apartment complexes. Retail development will
continue to follow the rooftops and should be in active
areas where they can provide the services demanded by
the new population. Most importantly, the expansion of
the population will provide a ready source of labor for the
expanding employment base. Further diversification of
the area’s economy is needed to reverse today’s pattern
of commuting and improve wage levels of the area’s
residents. Of the 145,755 employed individuals living in
the WTGA planning area, 87% leave the area each day
for work.
The basic infrastructure assets of the WTGA planning
Area, including freeway access and rail and airport
availability, are well developed. Proximity to the Southern
California markets is a key asset as well as the ample
open spaces in the region which provide an opportunity
for expansion of eco-tourism. Continued expansion of
the WTGA planning areas educational opportunities
is also an important component for expanding the
skill sets of residents. Secondarily, a greater focus on
attracting different types of industries that can take
advantage of the area’s resident workforce (both college
and non-college educated), will need to be a key focus
of the economic development strategy moving forward.
Housing Construction, Wikimedia Commons
65
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Economic Growth Goal #1:
Assist municipalities in the WTGA planning area to
diversify their economies consistent with available
resources and to improve the quality of employment
opportunities.
Economic Growth Goal #2:
Support an economic environment that nurtures locally
based employment and economic opportunity.
Economic Growth Goal #3:
Support the presence of higher education facilities
in the WTGA planning area to enhance the workforce
development pipeline.
Economic Growth Policy #1:
Maricopa County supports coordination with the Arizona
Commerce Authority, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
(GPEC), WESTMARC, and other organizations to support
industry clusters that will provide long term, stable
growth in the area.
Economic Growth Policy #2:
Where
feasible
and
effective,
Maricopa
County
supports the use of tax-exempt bond financing from
the Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority
(IDA) for affordable housing, manufacturing facilities,
infrastructure projects, and non-profit facilities.
Economic Growth Policy #3:
Maricopa County supports the provision of information
and assistance to prospective businesses about
Maricopa County and the resources available from the
County.
Economic Growth Policy #4:
Maricopa County supports meeting the consumer needs
of the area’s expanding population by encouraging
additional
retail
and
neighborhood
commercial
businesses.
Economic Growth Policy #5:
Maricopa County supports partnerships with local
organizations such as Local First Arizona and others to
provide programs to small businesses.
Economic Growth Policy #6:
Maricopa County supports the development and
expansion of vocational and technical schools such
as WestMEC in the WTGA planning area that provide
technology training at the high school level.
Economic Growth Policy #7:
Where feasible and effective, Maricopa County supports
collaboration efforts with educational providers within
the WTGA planning area to develop the local workforce’s
skills in key industry clusters.
Economic Growth Policy #8:
Maricopa County supports collaboration efforts with
nonprofits and developers to increase eco-tourism in the
region.
ECONOMIC GROWTH GOALS AND POLICIES
The following goals and policies are identified to aid in supporting economic growth in the WTGA planning area.
66
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
The Open Space Element is required by Arizona statute and includes a
comprehensive inventory of open space and recreational areas within the WTGA
planning area. Following the inventory, this element analyzes forecasted needs
and demonstrates strategies, goals and policies to acquire, establish, integrate
and promote open space areas and recreational resources.
Open Space Network
Open Space is an asset that is overwhelmingly appreciated by the community. The
WTGA planning area contains approximately 114,267 acres, or 30% of open space,
within the 727 sq. mile planning area. This open space designation includes the
County regional parks and preserves listed below and illustrated in Figure 23 on
page 73, as well as land owned and managed by the BLM, that typically designates
their land for open space and recreational purposes unless disposed of to another
entity. There are also significant trails, scenic corridors, floodways, and special
flood hazard areas that comprise the open space network. Additionally, there
are other open space areas found in subdivision parks, subdivision open spaces,
schools, and golf courses scattered across the WTGA planning area.
White Tank Mountain Regional Park
White Tank Mountain Regional Park is the largest park in the County’s regional park
system with 29,557 acres. According to the Maricopa County Comprehensive Plan,
“most of the park is made up of the rugged and beautiful White Tank Mountains,” but
the park also includes amenities such as parking, picnic sites, ramadas, restrooms,
volleyball courts, playgrounds, 40 reservable sites for tent or RV camping, 43.26
miles of trails, an amphitheater, and equestrian facilities.
Vulture Mountain Recreation Area
Vulture Mountain Recreation Area is 71,000 acres, and MCPRD has leased acres
in the area to provide recreation facilities and services for visitors. The Recreation
and Public Purpose (R&PP) lease in the Vulture Mountain Recreation Area is for
the management of 1,046 (park) acres of the Vulture Mountain Regional Area. The
lease allows for the construction of amenities such as an entry station, parking,
picnic areas, campsites, a playground, restrooms, ramadas, trailheads, trails, an
amphitheater, and an OHV staging area.
Hassayampa River Preserve
The Hassayampa River Preserve is a 776 acre habitat for wildlife, including foxes,
javelinas, bobcats, reptiles, amphibians, dragonflies, and over 300 bird species.
According to the Parks Vision 2030 Plan, the preserve includes several short trails
that traverse riparian areas, woodlands, a lake, and lead to the stunning view at
Lyke’s Lookout. Other amenities include parking, picnic areas and campsites.
Top: White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Jan Pauw
Middle: Vulture Mountain Recreation Area, Kyle M.
Bottom: Hassayampa River Preserve, John Menard
67
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Trails
In addition to the trails mentioned above, the WTGA
planning area also contains the Maricopa Trail System
(MTS).
Maricopa Trail System
The MTS shown in the illustration below includes over
315 miles of existing trails that ring the County and
was originally part of the Sun Circle Trail. The Board of
Supervisors (BOS) formed a trail commission in 2000,
and by 2002, the County developed the trail concept
for the MTS, which grew from 19 miles of trails in 2019
to the current day mileage. The overarching goal is to
connect surrounding municipalities and major regional
parks across Maricopa County. The trails accommodate
walkers, hikers, runners, mountain bikers, equestrians,
and inline skaters.
In 1965, the Arizona State Horseman’s Association and
appointed Maricopa County Hiking and Riding Trails
Committee worked together to establish the 110-mile
Sun Circle Trail. The Sun Circle Trail is also designated
as a National Recreation Trail and is now a part of the
larger MTS. The original agreement by the BOS, Bureau
of Reclamation (BOR), and Salt River Project (SRP)
allowed for portions of canal banks to be used as trails.
In 2015, all parties renewed the agreement.
Maricopa County’s Sun Circle Trails, Maricopa County
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CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Scenic Corridors
While not designated as “open space”, there are five
adopted scenic corridors in the WTGA planning area
which are illustrated on the Future Land Use Map.
These scenic corridors are designed to protect valuable
viewsheds related to open space and are described
below. Two of the five scenic corridors are regulatory
which means that the design requirements, or a portion
thereof, are mandatory. The remainder three scenic
corridors have policy guidelines and design guidelines;
however, developers are not required to implement such
guidelines under by right uses of land.
Castle Hot Springs Road Scenic Corridor
The Castle Hot Springs Road Scenic Corridor extends ¼
mile on each side of the centerline of Castle Hot Springs
Road in Maricopa County. The 2000 White Tank Grand
Avenue Area Plan proposed a study of the corridor.
Following the study, the Board adopted this corridor
in 2006 in response to area public involvement. While
the corridor is non-regulatory, the guidelines protect
mountains, vegetation, washes, and the unique views
and characteristics of the area.
State Route 74 Scenic Corridor
The State Route 74 Scenic Corridor is a scenic corridor
that is both regulatory and policy. The regulatory
portion extends to 500’ on each side of the centerline of
State Route 74 in Maricopa County. The non-regulatory,
or policy portion, extends from 500’ to ¼ mile on each
side of the centerline of State Route 74. The Board
adopted the original regulatory portion of the Corridor
in 1994 while the policy portion was adopted in 2006
in conjunction with a corridor study. The corridor is
intended to help integrate growth into the community
and minimize impacts to personal property and quality
of life. There are design guidelines in place that include
policies for landscape, natural habitats, character/
identity, building height, lighting, signs, and fencing.
Regulatory requirements associated with the corridor
may be found within the Maricopa County Zoning
Ordinance.
McMicken Dam Scenic Corridor
The McMicken Dam Scenic Corridor is a non-regulatory
scenic corridor with boundaries that extend ¼ mile on
each side of the property owned by the FCDMC and
the Maricopa County Regional Trail, except properties
within the City of Surprise. The intent of the design
guidelines established within this corridor is for the
protection and enhancement of the McMicken Dam area
to be implemented as development occurs.
Olive Avenue Scenic Corridor
The Olive Avenue Scenic Corridor is a non-regulatory
scenic corridor that extends ¼ mile on both sides of
Olive Avenue right-of-way in Maricopa County between
State Route 303 and White Tank Mountain Regional
Park. Design guidelines are in place to promote physical
and visual public access to open space resources. Goals
within the plan include entry or gateway into the White
Tank Mountain Regional Park and blending of urban and
rural land uses.
Wickenburg Highway Scenic Corridor
The boundaries of the Wickenburg Scenic Corridor
encompass lands within two miles of the edge of the
right-of-way of both sides of the Wickenburg Highway
(U.S. Highway 60- 89) extending from Bell Road to the
Town of Wickenburg corporate limits. Policies in the plan
address orderly development, growth accommodation,
adequate transportation and utilities, and no down
zoning with negative impact. Regulatory requirements
associated with the corridor may be found in the
Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance.
Floodway and Special Flood Hazard Areas
As can be seen in Figure 23 on page 73, the WTGA
planning area contains a significant amount of
designated Floodways and Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Though some of these areas may be developed or
channelized, with these options being expensive, some
communities within the planning area have designed
these areas as open-space corridors. According to the
FCDMC, a floodway is the channel of a river or stream and
the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to
discharge the base flood within cumulatively increasing
water surface elevation more than a designated height.
A special flood hazard zone is an area that has a one
percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year,
also known as the 100-year flood zone.
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Wildlife Connectivity Linkages
As shown below in Figure 21, AZGFD has identified a
wildlife connectivity linkage that traverses the WTGA
planning area. The region’s wildlife resources are a
critical component of the state’s natural environment,
especially open spaces. As the region continues to
grow, wildlife will be forced to find new routes through
areas they traditionally traveled due to the development
of roads, buildings, and energy corridors. Increasing
connectivity for wildlife through the planning area
will reduce negative interactions between people and
wildlife and will allow for animals to travel and access
resources they need more easily and safely.
Figure 21. Wildlife Connectivity
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CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Conservation Opportunity Areas
AZGFD defines Conservation Opportunity Areas (COAs)
as “specific areas on the landscape where actions
will most likely lead to substantial improvements for
wildlife and their habitats.” This area provides voluntary
guidance to prioritize areas for conservation. One of
these COAs is located within the WTGA planning area, as
depicted on Figure 22 below. This COA, is located within
the Hassayampa River floodplain and serves as an
important travel corridor for “wildlife, habitat for upland
and riparian species, and migration stopover sites and
breeding habitat for migratory birds, including [species]
such as the southwestern willow flycatcher and western
yellow-billed cuckoo,” according to the Arizona Game
and Fish Department.
Figure 22. Conservation Opportunity Area
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Open Space Analysis
Per Arizona statutes, this section provides an analysis
of forecasted needs and strategies. Open Space in the
WTGA planning area is a collective network of passive
natural areas and preserves, active parks with a variety of
amenities, trails, and scenic corridors. The look and feel
of open space can vary across landscapes, appearing
as undeveloped physical spaces that feel more natural,
or they can be curated, such as community parks or
golf courses. The formal and informal dedication of
open space areas can serve as habitats for endangered
species, protect visual resources, reduce the urban
heat effect, and enhance community identity. Open
space gives the community and visitors the opportunity
to celebrate the natural beauty of an area through the
preservation of the landscape that makes it a dynamic
place to live, and having access to open space is
beneficial to a community’s overall well-being, including
mental and physical health.
Through the planning process, the community uniformly
confirmed that the ample and beautiful open spaces in
the planning area are appreciated and merit protection
for the enjoyment of existing and future residents and
visitors. This overarching goal will occur through the
life of this plan and beyond and will only work with a
multifaceted approach of government policies and
regulations, non-profit acquisitions, and support from
the private development. Maricopa County’s Parks and
Recreation Department (MCPRD) does an excellent job
of maintaining and enhancing parks and is poised to
update their parks plan, which will continue to implement
such measures within the WTGA planning area and
across Maricopa County. The Maricopa County Planning
and Development Department also coordinates open
spaces, parks, and trails when new development occurs
by encouraging usage of their adopted scenic corridor
guidelines. The Flood Control District of Maricopa
County (FCDMC) works toward their mission and goals
with community and State partnership to create viable
natural drainage areas and wildlife corridors within
their flood control facilities. The BLM and the AZGFD
also maintain their lands for recreation, open space,
and wildlife habitats. Lastly, non-profit organizations
such as the White Tank Mountains Conservancy assist
by collecting donations to acquire and preserve open
spaces.
As part of the plan update, BLM land that was previously
designated as Single-Family Rural is reclassified as
open space to align with BLM’s preferred land uses in
these areas. The updated Future Land Use Map includes
over 114,000 acres of open space, which equates to
approximately 30% of the planning area. The Parks
Vision 2030 identified population growth as one of the
key challenges associated with preservation of open
spaces, fragmented ecosystems, diminished wildlife
richness, and placing undue demand on existing natural
and outdoor recreation systems. MCPRD’s report also
states that high-quality natural resources, regional open
spaces, wildlife habitats, trails, and regional parks are
top priorities for the community.
Open Space and Recreation Forecast
According to the County’s Parks Vision 2030, MCPRD
estimates a need to acquire approximately 15,000 acres
every ten years to maintain the current baseline of 27
acres of undeveloped natural areas per thousand people
across the County. Resident access to these areas
will become increasingly important as the population
continues to grow.
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CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Year
Planning Area
Population
Open Space Acres /
1,000 People
Acres Required
2020
478,193
27
12,911
2050
917,446
27
24,771
The WTGA planning area provides 238 acres of open
space per thousand residents, which greatly exceeds the
County’s baseline of 27 acres per thousand residents.
The projected acreage required for the planning area is
12,911; however, the current acreage of County Parks and
Open Spaces within the planning area is approximately
114,000 acres. Expansion of the parks and open space
network is not required in this planning area to meet the
needs of current and future residents.
Open Space Strategies
1. Expand opportunities to promote community health
and wellbeing through access and programming
of
parks
and
open
spaces.
This
strategy,
which is referenced in the Parks Vision 2030,
requires partnerships with non-profits, business
organizations, and cities and towns to promote
initiatives highlighting the importance of regional
parks and trail systems as a means to support the
health and wellbeing of all residents.
2. Reinvest, protect, and continue to improve our
existing park system. This strategy, which is
referenced in the Parks Vision 2030, stems from the
need to improve parks, especially as the County’s
population grows and parks and open spaces
become overburdened. While expansion of parks is
not needed in the planning area, maintenance and
programming is critical.
3. Bring the Maricopa Trail into Vulture Mountains
Recreation Area and the Hassayampa River Preserve
and continue working with municipalities to include
connector trails to neighborhoods and points of
interest. Connecting existing regional parks to
the County’s trail systems will further allow the
community opportunities to access the County’s
great open space and recreation amenities. Part
of this strategy involves developing partnerships
between Wickenburg, Maricopa County, and ASLD
to assist in acquiring trail easements to Vulture
Mountains, south of the Town’s planning limits.
4. Continue partnership with BLM to develop and
maintain a cooperative management framework for
the 71,000-acre recreation area. The 2009 Strategic
System Master Plan identified the need for a new
regional park near Wickenburg, which led to the BLM
and Maricopa County entering into a Recreation
and Public Purposes (R&PP) lease in the Vulture
Mountains Recreation Area in 2019. The continued
construction and operation of recreation facilities
and the continued partnership between BLM and
Maricopa County will be essential to the success of
this new recreation area.
5. Provide open space and recreational amenities in
subdivisions and ensure that they are connecting
to existing trails and pathways where appropriate.
Although not a mandate of MCPRD, open space
and park planning is an important aspect of
consideration in the development of subdivisions.
Ample open space and active amenities add to
the quality of life and health of future residents.
Active amenities could include but are not limited
to dog parks, sport courts, exercise equipment, and
playgrounds.
Cover of
Maricopa County
Parks Vision
2030
73
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Figure 23. Open Space Network
74
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Open Space Goal #1:
Protect, provide, and expand access to regional parks
and to coordinate the amount of protected open space
parks proportionately with population growth.
Open Space Goal #2:
Continue to enhance the Maricopa Trail System and
cooperate with adjoining municipalities to ensure this
trail system is connected to their systems of parks and
open spaces.
Open Space Goal #3:
Have quality neighborhood parks and open spaces with
adequate and appropriate recreational amenities and
access points to serve residential developments with
connections to regional parks and trails.
Open Space Goal #4:
Protect scenic corridors, views, and open spaces and
use open space buffers around established parks and
rural neighborhoods.
Open Space Policy #1:
Maricopa
County
supports
maintenance
and
improvements to regional parks and preserves in the
WTGA planning area.
Open Space Policy #2:
Maricopa County supports non-profit and community
groups’ efforts to acquire and preserve open spaces
and wildlife corridors.
Open Space Policy #3:
Maricopa County supports continued coordination with
the BLM, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and
adjoining municipalities to maintain and preserve open
spaces.
Open Space Policy #4:
Maricopa County supports coordination with the
Arizona Game and Fish Department to identify locations
for potential open space development, including
endangered species habitats, migration routes and
wildlife corridors, and sensitive lands.
Open Space Policy #5:
Maricopa County supports dedication and improvement
of trail rights-of-way within and around new development.
Open Space Policy #6:
Maricopa County supports soft edge treatments along
the perimeter of regional parks and trails systems.
Open Space Policy #7:
To help maintain high quality parks and trails, Maricopa
County supports user-based funding options for its
regional parks system and, where feasible, regional trail
system.
Open Space Policy #8:
Maricopa County supports the protection of scenic
corridors and views as outlined in adopted scenic
corridor plans and in Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance.
Open Space Policy #9:
Maricopa County supports the natural treatment of
drainageways and the preservation of floodways and
special flood hazard zones in a natural state.
Open Space Policy #10:
Maricopa County supports provisions for open space,
such as a minimum of 15% open space with 5% of the
open space reserved for active recreation amenities.
Open Space Policy #11:
Maricopa County supports utilizing natural open space
as transitions and buffers between established rural
communities and other types of development.
Open Space Policy #12:
Maricopa County supports jurisdictional coordination
when utility corridors, such as powerlines and pipelines,
cross municipal boundaries. Where feasible and
effective, jurisdictions should work with utility providers
to use easements and utility corridors as open space,
trails, or other compatible passive recreational uses.
OPEN SPACE GOALS AND POLICIES
The following goals and policies are identified to aid in ensuring the open space within the WTGA planning area is
maintained, protected, and enhanced.
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
WATER RESOURCES ELEMENT
The Water Resources Element is required by Arizona statute and addresses the
known and legally physical available surface water, groundwater, and effluent
supplies; the demand for water that will result from future projected growth: and
an analysis of how the demand for water will be served.
Water Resources
Surface Water and Groundwater
Due to the arid climate of the southwest, prioritization of water infrastructure is
important to the continued growth of the area. The entirety of the area falls within
the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Phoenix Active Management
Area (AMA), which requires that most residential development demonstrate that a
100-year assured water supply is available. See AMA boundary on page 79.
The 336-mile Central Arizona Project CAP canal begins at Lake Havasu and ends at its terminus just south of Tucson,
Central Arizona Project Website
76
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
A Community Water Service (CWS) is any water system
that serves fifteen (15) or more service connections.
There are approximately fifty (50) different CWSs that
provide water distribution services in the WTGA planning
area with the connections served ranging from 19 to
over 150,000. The ten (10) largest providers are:
»
EPCOR
»
City of Peoria
»
City of Avondale
»
Liberty Utilities (Litchfield Park Water and Sewer)
»
City of Goodyear
»
City of El Mirage
»
City of Surprise
»
City of Buckeye
»
Arizona Water Company
»
LAFB
Within the WTGA planning area, approximately 130
square miles are served by a CWS. The remaining 597
square miles do not currently have water infrastructure.
The bulk of the areas with water service are within Loop
303 or east of the White Tank Mountains. Outside of
these areas, water service is limited to isolated locations
along US 60 as shown in Figure 24 on page 77.
In June of 2023, state leadership announced that further
residential subdivisions that rely on groundwater will
not be issued the required certificates for assured
water due to a projected 4% shortfall in the 100-year
groundwater supply in the Phoenix AMA. Additionally,
any multifamily residential project with six or more units
must now obtain an assured water supply certificate.
For residential development to continue beyond what is
already approved in the WTGA planning area, sources of
water from a municipal provider will need to be identified
and secured.
Sewer and Effluent
Sewer service providers in the WTGA planning area
include the City of Surprise, City of Peoria, City of
Glendale, City of El Mirage, City of Goodyear, Liberty
Utilities, and EPCOR. Figure 24 on page 34 also shows
the sewer distribution system in the area. Like water
distribution, sewer infrastructure is available within Loop
303 and east of the White Tank Mountains. Areas to the
north and west of the White Tank Mountains do not have
sewer infrastructure currently. Private water wells and
septic systems are common in unincorporated areas
not serviced by water and sewer providers.
Greywater is wastewater from homes and businesses
that is reclaimed for irrigation and landscaping use.
Currently, only 5% of Arizona’s water supply comes
from reclaimed water. Treated greywater will become an
increasingly important source of additional water.
As water is a scarce resource for the WTGA planning
area, using greywater will be a critical part of the
water mix for accommodating growth. Specifically, if
greywater can be used for irrigation and landscaping, it
will free up additional fresh water within current water
rights and allotments for use by residential, commercial,
and industrial growth. To rely more on greywater in the
future, Maricopa County will need to coordinate with
municipal and private water suppliers in the permitting
and development of reclamation facilities and reuse
pipeline infrastructure.
Central Arizona Project
The CAP Canal, managed by the Central Arizona Water
Conservation District, brings approximately 1½ million
acre feet of water annually from the Colorado River to
Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima Counties. The CAP Canal
extends nearly 340 miles from Lake Havasu to the San
Xavier Indian Reservation near Tucson and is considered
a vital source of water for the Phoenix and Tucson
metropolitan areas. Colorado River water is allocated
to several western states based on the 1922 Colorado
River Compact where Arizona, California and Nevada
comprise what are known as Lower Division states, while
Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico comprise the
Upper Division states. Each Division receives 7½ million
acre-feet annually that is apportioned to each state
in various amounts. Arizona has rights to 2.8 million
acre-feet annually which is either used or stored in
underground aquifers to help alleviate potential future
water shortages. The complex process of storing and
managing water in these aquifers is overseen by the
Arizona Water Banking Authority.
CAP, fronterasdesk.org
77
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Figure 24. Water and Sewer Service Area
78
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Water Resources Analysis
As future development occurs in the WTGA planning area,
special consideration must be taken to properly manage
existing water resources and plan for anticipated water
resources into the future. These considerations include
proper land use planning to provide residential, industrial,
and commercial customers with safe and reliable water
supplies. Partnerships between municipal and private
water providers are critical to implement management
plans for both water consumption and conservation.
Feedback from residents in the area demonstrated
that there are concerns about the availability of water
for existing residents and for future development. The
recent reduction in water allocated from the Colorado
River and findings presented in the Phoenix AMA water
model will have an impact on cities, towns, and private
water suppliers looking to expand. However, there is still
a need to identify and supplement non-groundwater
water rights and the shortage does not negate the need
to plan for responsible growth and development as the
WTGA planning area develops.
WATER RESOURCES
OPPORTUNITIES
A large portion of the WTGA planning area
does not have infrastructure or service for
water and sewer.
Development will be impacted in areas north
and west of Loop 303 due to lack of assured
water and limited infrastructure. Unless
water and sewer service boundaries are
expanded to the northwest or southeast of
Wickenburg, future development will likely
occur at densities that can be supported by
private wells and septic systems.
79
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
The increase in water usage would not be evenly
distributed throughout the WTGA planning area. Figure
25 on page 80 shows the potential relative changes in
water consumption based on the difference between
existing land uses and the Future Land Use Map. Notable
geographical changes in water use include:
»
The most intense increases in water needs would
be at the nodes of Regional Commercial and Mixed-
Use Employment located along Loop 303 and east of
LAFB. These areas are already largely within water
and sewer distribution systems with infrastructure.
»
Large areas of increasing water needs are located
around the White Tank Mountain Regional Park, the
unincorporated areas on either side of 163rd Avenue
north of US 60, and potentially the non-residential
uses that would surround the Luke Auxiliary Field #1
Airfield. Major investments in water and wastewater
infrastructure would be needed before growth could
occur in these areas.
»
The large areas of rural residential in the
northwestern reaches of the WTGA planning area
would have minimal increases in water and sewer
needs. Wastewater would likely be accommodated
through personal septic systems.
»
There is a reduction in water use anticipated as
agricultural land surrounding LAFB develops into
commercial or industrial development that is less
water intensive.
»
Most of the increased water need falls within the
MPAs of WTGA planning area jurisdictions, including
Surprise and Peoria. As annexation occurs, the water
to serve growth would need to be identified with
these jurisdictions and connections to municipal
water systems would be required at that time. Rural
development in unincorporated Maricopa County
would continue to be served by private wells.
»
There would be a proportional increase in the
demand of sewer capacity for fresh water. Greywater
reclamation could serve a dual benefit of reducing
sewer capacity needs and help reduce the use of
fresh water for landscaping or agricultural irrigation.
Rainwater harvesting could further reduce the need
for fresh water for landscaping.
Map of Phoenix Active
Management Area (AMA),
ADWR
80
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Figure 25. Forecasted Change in Water Usage
Note: Water usage rates per acre by land use were taken
from the 2022 City of Surprise Integrated Water Master
Plan and applied to a comparison between the existing
land use map and future land use map to show where
water usage could increase or decrease over time.
81
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Water Resources Goal #1:
Balance water availability with growth.
Water Resources Goal #2:
Support efforts to improve regional cooperation and
communication on water use among WTGA planning
area jurisdictions.
Water Resources Goal #3
Increase renewable water use and reduce demand
through water conservation.
Water Resources Goal #4
Continue to invest in best management practices of
stormwater to ensure health and safety of residents.
Water Resources Policy #1
Maricopa County supports appropriately scaled water
service in potential growth areas that are not currently
covered by a Community Water System.
Water Resources Policy #2
Maricopa County supports appropriately scaled sewer
service, greywater reclamation, and rainwater harvesting
efforts in potential growth areas that are not currently
covered by existing sewer infrastructure or providers.
Water Resources Policy #3
Maricopa County supports appropriate fees, development
requirements, and other funding mechanisms to ensure
that new development pays its fair share of providing
new services in potential growth areas, such as potable
water, wastewater, and stormwater drainage.
Water Resources Policy #4
Maricopa County supports the collaboration of WTGA
planning area jurisdictions for water planning and
conservation efforts, particularly during the annexation
process to accommodate growth that is compliant with
the Future Land Use Map.
Water Resources Policy #5
Maricopa County supports minimizing water usage
by new public facilities in the WTGA planning area,
including on landscaping, parks, artificial lakes, and
decorative water features through low water use and
drought tolerant landscaping to mitigate the forecasted
water availability shortfall.
Water Resources Policy #6
Maricopa County supports the maintenance and
expansion of major stormwater drainage facilities within
the WTGA planning area, in partnership with the MCFCD,
to accommodate the needs of existing and planned
development to accommodate stormwater that cannot
be retained in developments in potential growth areas
and for emergencies.
WATER RESOURCES GOALS AND POLICIES
The following goals and policies are identified to aid in ensuring the water and sewer infrastructure in the WTGA
planning area can support future development, as planned in the Future Land Use Map.
82
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
ENERGY, UTILITIES, & PUBLIC FACILITIES
ELEMENT
The Energy Element is required by ARS and addresses incentives for efficient use of
energy and policies and practices for greater use of renewable energy. Additionally,
this section addresses other utilities and facilities within the WTGA planning area.
Energy and Utilities
The entirety of the WTGA planning area is served by Arizona Public Service (APS)
for electricity service and Southwest Gas for natural gas service. As the area
develops, consideration of energy needs is important to sustain the population.
Because of the existing development profile of the area, energy use is relatively
low compared to more urbanized areas of Maricopa County. According to the
U.S. Energy Information Administration, major power infrastructure in the WTGA
planning area includes:
1. Northwest Regional Plant Landfill Gas-to-Energy Plant. Landfill gas is collected
through wells installed within the landfill to generate up to 3.2 megawatts of
electricity.
2. LAFB Solar Array. This solar installation covers 106 acres of LAFB land and
generates 15 megawatts of electricity. Typically, LAFB uses 100% of the energy
produced by the array.
3. El Sol Battery Energy Center (currently under construction). This facility is a
battery electric storage system (BESS), which stores excess power generated
during off-peak times to supplement the power supply during peak times. The
facility will be able to handle 200 megawatt-hours of excess power storage.
LAFB Solar Array, LAFB
83
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
ENERGY, UTILITIES, & FACILITIES OPPORTUNITIES
»
Most public facilities are east of Loop 303, in incorporated areas. Additional police or Maricopa County
Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) stations, fire stations, and schools west of Loop 202 would be necessary as
the areas continue to grow.
»
Due to the potential for solar energy generation, Maricopa County can encourage additional renewable
energy generation in appropriate locations in the WTGA planning area.
With the Phoenix region experiencing more and more
days of extreme heat, electricity capacity is being
increasingly stretched, according to APS. On July 15,
2023, APS broke its all-time record for the maximum
amount of electricity consumed at once, 8,191
megawatts. Accommodating additional clean energy
production in the WTGA planning area will contribute to
the area’s ability to provide enough power during peak
times.
There are three landfills and waste transfer centers
in the WTGA planning area. The Northwest Regional
Landfill is located along Deer Valley Road, west of US 60.
The Morristown Waste Disposal and Recycling Center is
located southeast of the US 60 and SR 74. The Goodyear
White Tank Hauling and Transfer Station is located on
McDowell Road, east of Jackrabbit Trail. Figure 26 on
page 84 shows solid waste facilities in the area. There
is also a planned waste transfer station near El Mirage
Rd. & the 303.
Public Facilities
There are a variety of public facilities in the WTGA
planning area, including police, fire, education, and
parks.
Police services for the area is served by the MCSO,
Avondale
Police
Department,
Buckeye
Police
Department, El Mirage Police Department, Glendale
Police Department, Goodyear Police Department,
Peoria Police Department, and City of Surprise Police
Department. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
(MCSO) has two stations in the WTGA planning area,
both along US 60. Currently, average response times for
MCSO beats within the area are ranging from 10 to 34
minutes for priority 1 (the most urgent) calls, 9 minutes
to over 1 hour for priority 2 calls, and five minutes to over
an hour for priority 3 calls.
There are twenty-two (22) fire stations in the WTGA
planning area. Fire protection is provided by Rural Metro,
City of Surprise Fire-Medical Department, El Mirage Fire
Department, Sun City Fire and Medical Department,
Peoria Fire Department, Wittman Fire District, Arizona
Fire and Medical Authority, and Circle City/ Morristown
Fire Department. On average, each fire station in the
plan boundary serves 33 square miles.
There are eighteen K-12 schools and one post-secondary
campus (Ottawa University) in the WTGA planning area.
School districts in the area include:
»
Agua Fria Union High School
»
Dysart Unified #89
»
Liberty #25
»
Litchfield #79
»
Morristown #75
»
Nadaburg Unified #8
»
Pendergast #92
»
Peoria #11
»
Peoria Unified High School
»
Saddle Mountain Unified #90
»
Tolleson Unified High School
»
Wickenburg Unified #9
The existing educational facilities are primarily located
east of Loop 303. The average age of school facilities
is 20 years and the average enrollment for elementary,
middle, and high schools are 655, 1,755, and 2,300,
respectively. Public facilities are shown in Figure 26 on
page 84.
Sun City Fire and Medical Station, Perlman Architects
84
CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Figure 26. Public Facilities and Utilities
85
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Analysis
Energy and Utilities
As future development occurs in the WTGA planning
area, expansion of the electric and gas infrastructure will
be needed to accommodate growth. Figure 27 shows
locations that are identified as potential growth areas
or where the Future Land Use Map shows that major
land use changes could occur, resulting in urbanization.
These areas include the growth areas along the US
60 corridor southeast of SR 74 and west of Loop 303
between Indian School Road and Peoria Avenue, the
land surrounding the White Tank Mountain Regional
Park, and either side of 163rd Avenue north of US 60.
Public Facilities
Ensuring public services maintain their current high
level of service and adequate response times as the
area grows is an important and often life-saving goal
of WTGA planning area residents and stakeholders.
As development expands into currently vacant land,
additional fire, police, and educational facilities will be
needed to support the population.
The table below shows the number of existing public
facilities in the two growth areas in identified the Future
Land Use Map.
POTENTIAL GROWTH AREAS
FIRE
POLICE
SCHOOL
A. US 60 CORRIDOR SOUTHEAST OF SR 74
3
0
2
B. WEST OF SR 303 BETWEEN INDIAN SCHOOL AND PEORIA
0
0
0
Areas that are expecting land use changes, shown in blue
in Figure 27 on page 86, have the potential for increases in
density before the horizon year of this plan. Many of these
areas do not have any fire coverage. While these areas
are unlikely to develop before the identified growth areas,
they have very limited public facilities in proximity. The
potential growth surrounding the White Tank Mountain
Regional Park will require additional public facilities, as
the area west of the park will be secluded from existing
development to the east. Additional public facilities will
also be needed as development occurs along either side
of 163rd Avenue north of US 60.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, MCSO
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CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Figure 27. Future Utility and Facility Needs
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Goal
#1
Ensure Maricopa County has adequate infrastructure to
accommodate utilities and waste disposal before growth
is permitted in unincorporated areas or encourage
annexation into WTGA planning area jurisdictions.
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Goal
#2
Ensure there are adequate public facilities, including
police, fire, and educational coverage, before growth
is permitted in unincorporated areas and encourage
annexation into WTGA planning area jurisdictions.
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Goal
#3
Remain a leader in alternative energy research and
development.
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Goal
#4
Ensure that development adjacent to electrical, gas,
and other utility corridors is context appropriate and
environmentally responsible.
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Policy
#1
Maricopa County supports municipal annexation of a
development site when urban services are available or
relatively available in accordance with the Maricopa
County Comprehensive Plan policy on Urban Services
for Urban Development.
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Policy
#2
Maricopa County supports planning for residential,
commercial, and employment land uses in potential
growth areas that are proximate to each other rather than
separated to reduce fuel usage, energy consumption,
and wear and tear on roads.
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Policy
#3
Maricopa
County
supports
intergovernmental
coordination for the development and implementation
of strategic energy planning with WTGA planning area
jurisdictions.
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Policy
#4
Where feasible and effective, Maricopa County supports
cooperation with developers to integrate public facilities,
such as schools and libraries, into neighborhoods rather
than having them physically separated and located
on major arterial roadways. Where feasible, joint use
facilities, such as swimming pools and playgrounds,
should be incorporated into schools and libraries.
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Policy
#5
Maricopa County supports partnering with jurisdictions
in the WTGA planning area and the private sector to
develop and maintain an integrated approach to solid
waste management.
Energy, Utilities, and Public Facilities Policy
#6
Maricopa County supports the development of renewable
energy generation with safe distancing requirements to
prevent fire hazards at BESS facilities.
ENERGY, UTILITIES, AND PUBLIC FACILITIES GOALS AND POLICIES
The following goals and policies are identified to aid in improving utilities and facilities as well as incentivizing the
use of renewable energy for residents and visitors of the WTGA planning area.
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CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
COST OF DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT
The Cost of Development Element is required by ARS and identifies policies and
strategies that the County will use to require development to pay its fair share
toward the cost of additional public service needs generated by new development.
This section will also identify various mechanisms that are allowed by law and
can be used to fund and finance additional public services necessary to serve
developments. Policies specifically ensure that any mechanisms that are adopted
by the County result in a beneficial use to development and bear a reasonable
relationship to the burden imposed on the County to provide the additional
necessary public services.
Cost of Development
In fast growing areas, capital infrastructure is needed to provide services and
infrastructure to new residential and commercial developments. Some of the
funding mechanisms that are allowed by Arizona law include bonding, special
taxing districts, development impact fees (DIFs), in-lieu fees, facility construction,
dedications, and service privatization. This section addresses important cost of
development issues by stressing that new development pay its proportionate share
of improvements and services without burdening existing taxpayers. Its important
to recognize the County does not provide utility services within its jurisdiction
and relies on the municipalities and private companies to provide these services.
The County has not adopted development impact fees for non-utility services,
one of the primary financing tools available to local jurisdictions. The County,
however, through cooperation with WTGA planning area municipalities, maintains
the ability to negotiate development agreements and stipulations related to new
developments that may affect the road system, the area’s floodplains, and other
services.
WTGA Service Providers
The WTGA planning area has a large mix of public and private service providers
and regulatory authorities that include, in addition to Maricopa County, parts of
eight cities and nine private utility companies. The number of public and private
service providers in the WTGA planning area creates a complex maze of fees and
regulations that developers must negotiate. Maricopa County’s unincorporated
areas account for a majority of the WTGA planning area. Maricopa County does
not operate any utility systems and does not impose DIFs on new development.
Service Providers in WTGA Plan Area
Public Entities
Private Entities
Maricopa County
Arizona Water Company
City of Buckeye
Beardsley Water Company
City of El Mirage
Brooks Water Utilities
City of Glendale
Chaparral Water Company
City of Goodyear
Circle City Water Company
City of Litchfield Park
EPCOR
City of Peoria
Liberty Utilities
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
However, it still has regulatory authority through zoning
and over improvements to the county road system and
floodplain areas.
Most cities use a wide variety of tools to accommodate
new developments including development impact fees,
improvement districts, community facilities districts
(CFDs), development agreements, and dedication of
facilities and streets improvements. Five of the cities in
the area also operate their own water and wastewater
utility systems in addition to the nine private utility
companies operating in the area. Most cities also
impose development impact fees on new development
for a variety of services and utilities including water,
sewer, and in some cases, future water resource needs.
Large private utility providers also require impact fees or
“hook-up” fees for new water and sewer services while
smaller utility companies do not charge the fees.
Cost of Development Analysis
Maricopa County prefers new development projects in
the WTGA planning area to annex to one of the local
municipalities. However, the lack of impact fees in the
unincorporated areas often causes developers to seek
zoning through the County rather than the municipality
and to obtain utility service from one of the private
utility companies operating in the area. Further, the
strip annexation of land between Camelback Road and
Peoria Avenue by Glendale many years ago has led to the
expansion of service areas by private utility companies.
EPCOR and Liberty Utilities have since become the
primary utility providers in much of the WTGA planning
area. This has at times thwarted the annexation of
development projects into nearby cities, leaving them
under the purview of Maricopa County.
Maricopa County is rightly concerned with the financial
impacts that new development can have on the County
and on local governments and taxpayers. This section
identifies techniques and methods that the County can
use to fund additional public services generated from
new development. The County’s Comprehensive Plan
provides a discussion of funding methods that are
specific to funding improvements for new development.
The methods that are relevant to the WGTA planning
area and supported by the County include:
»
Development agreements for master planned
communities.
»
Community improvement districts on a limited basis
where specific public improvements are considered
necessary.
»
Intergovernmental
agreements
(IGAs)
with
municipalities
to
help
share
infrastructure
improvement costs.
»
Fee for service requirements to ensure the recovery
of the cost of services in a way that does not unfairly
burden those most in need of such services.
While multiple municipalities are included with the
boundaries of the WTGA Area Plan, this section is only
intended to apply to new developments that are seeking
rezoning in the County or are subject to the County’s
policies and regulations. In most cases, the County
prefers that new development projects annex into a
municipality prior to seeking zoning through the County
and most cities require annexation as a condition of
providing utility services to a development project. The
goals and policies that follow are designed to outline
the County’s position on the important financial equity
issue that new development pays its proportionate
share of improvements and services without burdening
existing taxpayers. The goals and policies recognize
the County does not provide utility services within its
jurisdiction and relies on cities, towns, and private
companies to provide these services. The County has
also not adopted development impact fees for non-utility
services, one of the primary financing tools available to
local jurisdictions.
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CHAPTER 3: PLAN ELEMENTS
Cost of Development Goal #1:
Implement policies and procedures that require new
development to pay its fair share of public infrastructure
needs generated by the development.
Cost of Development Goal #2:
Encourage the annexation of new development projects
to neighboring municipalities to promote more efficient
development patterns within the WTGA planning area.
Cost of Development Goal #3:
Plan for the continued funding of new and existing
facilities and services such as highways and roads,
public safety, parks, and other community needs within
the WTGA Planning Area.
Cost of Development Policy #1:
In the WTGA planning area, Maricopa County supports
cooperative relationships with municipalities in the
review of new development projects that may impact
municipal facilities and services.
Cost of Development Policy #2:
Where feasible and effective, Maricopa County supports
using all tools at the County’s disposal including
development agreements, community improvement
districts, intergovernmental agreements, and fee for
service charges to ensure new development pays its fair
share of infrastructure costs.
Cost of Development Policy #3:
In the WTGA planning area, Maricopa County supports
working cooperatively with municipalities to align
projects that address regional issues.
Cost of Development Policy #4:
Maricopa County supports coordination with utility
service providers to ensure ongoing and timely notice of
proposed projects or newly approved projects.
Cost of Development Policy #5:
Maricopa County supports continued planning of future
growth trends and patterns in the WTGA planning area
and analysis of the impact on County services.
Cost of Development Policy #6:
Where feasible and effective, Maricopa County supports
the development of capital improvement plans through
applicable County departments and other area entities
that address ongoing infrastructure and service needs
within the WTGA planning area.
COST OF DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND POLICIES
The following goals and policies are identified to address the cost of development in the WTGA planning area.
Loop 303 I-10 Interchange, ADOT
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THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
» Appendix A:
» Appendix B:
» Appendix C:
92
APPENDICES
Appendices
» Appendix A: 2000 WTGA Land Uses
» Appendix B: Community Outreach Materials
» Appendix C: Development Master Plans (DMPs)
» Appendix D: Glossary
APPENDICES
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Add Appendices Overview Here
“Transparency does not only
encompass the mere access to
information, but also entitlement
to openness of procedures or even
outcomes of planning processes
and their implementation.”
- Jan Polívka and Christa Reicher
94
APPENDIX A: 2000 WTGA LAND USES
APPENDIX A: 2000 WTGA LAND USES
The following map depicts the future land uses within the WTGA planning area, based both on 2000 WTGA Area Plan
boundary and/or the comprehensive plan.
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
Below are samples of the community engagement materials distributed throughout the planning process.
Maricopa County Facebook Post
Maricopa County Nextdoor Post
96
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
Questionnaire #1, Page 1
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
Questionnaire #1, Page 2
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APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
Questionnaire #1, Page 3
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APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
Questionnaire #1, Page 4
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APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
Questionnaire #1, Page 5
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APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
Questionnaire #2, Page 1
102
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
Questionnaire #2, Page 2
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
Questionnaire #2, Page 3
104
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS
Questionnaire #2, Page 4
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APPENDIX C: DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLANS (DMPS)
APPENDIX C: DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLANS (DMPS)
The following Development Master Plans (DMPs) are included in the WTGA Area Plan.
Case Number
DMP Project Name
DMP2004004
Broadstone (Copper Mountain Ranch)
DMP2011002
Broadstone Ranch
DMP2014001
Broadstone Ranch
DMP2008001
Broadstone Ranch (Copper Mountain Ranch)
DMP2001002
Corte Bella (Pleasant Valley CC)
DMP2003009
Cortessa
DMP1999006
Cortessa (White Tank Mountain Ranch)
DMP2013006
Granite Vista
DMP2014003
Granite Vista
DMP2012003
Lake Pleasant 5000
DMP2005012
Lake Pleasant 5000
DMP2018003
Lake Pleasant 5000
DMP2000005
Rancho Cabrillo
DMP2004003
Rancho Cabrillo
DMP2003002
Rancho Cabrillo
DMP2006009
Rancho Cabrillo
DMP2018007
Rancho Cabrillo Parcels G,N, U, and Q
DMP1972002
Sun City
DMP1988005
Sun City West
DMP1977003
Sun City West
DMP2003007
Sun City West (Deer Valley Senior Community)
DMP2000002
White Tank Foothills
DMP2002006
White Tank Foothills
DMP2021001
White Tank Foothills Phase 3
DMP2013004
White Tanks Foothills
DMP1988008
Wigwam Creek
DMP2018010
Windrose
DMP2009002
Zanjero Trails
DMP2002005
Zanjero Trails
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
108
APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY
108
APPENDIX D
APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY
Active Management Areas (AMA):
Areas managed by the Arizona Department of Water
Resources (ADWR) within the State that are subject to
statutory and administrative regulations regarding the
use of groundwater.
Affordable Housing:
Affordable housing is property, whether owned or
rented, that costs no more than 28 to 30 percent of
gross household income.
Annexation:
Annexation is the incorporation of a land area into an
existing district or municipality, with a resulting change
in the boundaries of the annexing jurisdiction.
Area Plan:
Plans adopted by Maricopa County for specific subareas
of the unincorporated county. These plans provide
basic information on the natural features, resources
and physical constraints that affect the development
of the planning area. They also specify detailed land
use designations that are used to review specific
development proposals and plan services and facilities.
Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA):
Arizona’s economic development organization.
Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA):
AZDA supports farming, ranching, and agribusiness
in Arizona by protecting plants and animals, issuing
agriculture and environmental licenses, inspecting
farming practices, and overseeing commerce standards
and measurement devices.
Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality (ADEQ):
ADEQ is a State agency charged with protecting and
enhancing public health and environment through
science-based environmental regulation.
Arizona Department of Transportation
(ADOT):
ADOT is a state agency responsible for planning,
constructing and maintaining the State’s transportation
system.
Arizona Department of Water Resources
(ADWR):
ADWR is a state agency charged with securing long‐
term water supplies for Arizona communities.
Arizona Game and Fish Department
(AZGFD):
AZGFD is the state agency charged with managing the
conservation of Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources
and managing safe, compatible outdoor recreation
opportunities for current and future generations.
Arizona Public Service (APS):
The largest electric utility company in Arizona.
Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS):
The ARS are state laws passed by the Arizona Legislature.
Arizona State Land Department (ASLD):
ASLD is the state agency charted with responsibly
managing the assets of A multi-generational perpetual
Trust with the interests of the Beneficiaries and Arizona’s
future.
Board of Supervisors:
The Board of Supervisors (BOS) is the elected governing
board of the Maricopa County who appoint a county
manager, set the agenda and approve a budget that
allocates money to all departments and elected offices.
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Buffer:
A buffer is a method of separating incompatible uses
(ex. opaque fencing, vegetated berms and dense
landscaping) or a method of separating uses on a
sliding scale of intensity (i.e. rural followed by large lot
residential) so as to shield a significantly lesser intensity
use from a higher intensity use. A buffer may also be
an area alongside protected or conserved natural open
spaces in which human activity is restricted to research
and maintenance of the protected or conserved open
space in order to mitigate the negative impacts of
human activity on the land or wildlife.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM):
A federal agency tasked with overseeing 247.3 million
acres of public land that is open to livestock grazing,
energy production, outdoor recreation, and mining
operations.
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR):
A federal agency tasked with overseeing water resource
management.
Capital Improvement:
A capital improvement is the addition of a permanent
structural change or the restoration of some aspect of
a property that will either enhance the property’s overall
value, prolong its useful life, or adapt it to new uses.
Individuals, businesses, and cities can make capital
improvements to the property they own. Some capital
improvements are given favorable tax treatment and
may be exempted from sales tax in certain jurisdictions.
Community Facilities District (CFD):
A CFD is a financing mechanism for the acquisition,
construction, operation, and maintenance of public
infrastructure.
Community Improvement District (CID):
Similar to a CFD, public-private partnerships in
unincorporated areas that fund public infrastructure
improvements.
Community Water System (CWS)
A water system that serves 15 or more connections used
year-round by residents for drinking, cooking, bathing,
and cleaning.
Compatibility:
Compatibility occurs when the characteristics of
different uses or activities are harmonious or capable of
existing or working together without conflict.
Comprehensive Plan:
A master or general plan containing guidelines for
growth and development of the land within a jurisdiction.
The Comprehensive Plan coordinates policies affecting
public services, benefits and regulations. This term may
also refer to the Maricopa County Comprehensive Plan.
Demographics:
Statistical data relating to the characteristics of the
population and subgroups within a population.
Density:
A numeric average of families, individuals, dwelling units
or housing structures per unit of land; usually refers to
dwelling units per acre in the comprehensive plan.
Developer:
Any person or group of persons or legal entity which
builds improvements on land, including buildings,
streets, parking lots, drainage structures and utilities to
serve buildings.
Dwelling Unit (DU):
A room or group of rooms (including sleeping, eating,
cooking, and sanitation facilities) that constitutes an
independent housekeeping unit, occupied or intended
for occupancy by one household on a long-term basis.
Ecological Connectivity:
Ecological connectivity or landscape connectivity is the
degree to which the landscape facilitates or impedes
species movement between habitat blocks.
Ecosystem:
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms
dynamically interacting with each other and with the
non‐living components of the community, such as
weather, sun, climate, and atmosphere.
Flood Hazard Areas:
Areas in identified floodplain.
110
APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY
110
APPENDIX D
Floodplain:
The channel and the relatively flat area adjoining the
channel of a natural stream or river which has been or may
be covered by floodwater. Land immediately adjoining a
stream which is inundated when the discharge exceeds
the conveyance of the normal channel.
Goal:
A concise statement describing the condition to be
achieved. It is derived from the core principles of the
comprehensive plan and the strategic priorities for
the area and does not suggest specific actions but
describes a desired outcome.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA):
FEMA’s
duties
include
the
development
and
administration of the nation’s Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP). The NFIP develops and adopts flood maps, which
illustrate flood zones that are used by participating
communities in regulating the location and design of
buildings, utilities, and other man‐made improvements.
Future Land Use Map:
A Future Land Use Map is a diagram that designates
the type, distribution, and intensity/density of land uses
allowed in the MPA.
Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC):
Phoenix regional group that works to attract and grow
businesses and advocate for Greater Phoenix area.
Groundwater:
Water that is underground, beneath the land surface.
Growth Area:
A growth area describes the location, types of land use,
and land use intensities desired for the White Tanks Grand
Avenue area. Additionally, this identifies areas within
the White Tanks Grand Avenue area that are particularly
suitable for planned multimodal transportation and
infrastructure expansion and improvements designed
to support a planned concentration of a variety of uses.
Habitat:
The sum of environmental conditions of a specific
place that is occupied by an organism, a population or
a community.
Household:
The person or persons occupying a housing unit.
Housing Unit:
A house, apartment, mobile home or trailer, group of
rooms, or single room occupied as a separate living
quarter or, if vacant, intended for occupancy as a
separate living quarter. Separate living quarters are
those in which the occupants live and eat separately
from any other persons in the building and which have
direct access from the outside of the building or through
a common hall.
Homeowner Association (HOA):
HOAs are organizations in a subdivision or planned
community that create and enforce rules for the
properties within the community.
Hunter-gatherers:
Nomadic people who lived exclusively on wild food,
attained by hunting, fishing, or foraging wild foods.
Improvement District (ID):
An ID is a district comprised of property owners who
desire improvement to their properties, such as water,
sewer, or roadway infrastructure, which are financed
through bonds, ad valorem, or equally apportioned
secondary taxes pursuant to Title 48 of the ARS.
Incorporated Area:
An incorporated area is a geographic area that has
legally defined municipal boundaries.
Industrial Development Authority (IDA):
A Maricopa County group that provides private borrowers
funding for infrastructure projects.
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WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Infrastructure:
Facilities and services needed to sustain any type of
development – residential, commercial or industrial
activities. Includes water and sewer lines, streets,
electrical power, fire and police stations, etc.
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS):
An system that analyses data, and utilizes sensing and
analysis to improve efficiency, and safety of ground
transportation.
Intergovernmental Agreement:
An intergovernmental agreement is an agreement
between units of government to combine their resources
to provide governmental services and perform activities
for the benefit of their constituents.
Land Use:
Land use is the occupation or use of a land or water area
for any human activity or any purpose defined in the
Comprehensive Plan.
Level of Service (LoS):
A measure used to calculate the quality of motor vehicle
traffic service.
Local First Arizona:
An Arizona nonprofit organization with a focus on
community and economic development.
Low Impact Development (LID):
A planning and engineering practice that mimics natural
processes in order to manage stormwater.
Luke Air Force Base (LAFB):
LAFB is a United States Air Force base in Maricopa
County located within the planning area.
Maricopa Associations of Government
(MAG):
MAG provides a forum for local governments to work
together on issues that affect the lives of everyone in
the greater Phoenix region. Member Agencies include
27 cities and towns, 3 Native nations, Maricopa County,
portions of Pinal County, and the Arizona Department of
Transportation. Our planning area encompasses about
10,600 square miles.
Maricopa County Department of
Transportation (MCDOT):
MCDOT plans, designs, constructs, and maintains
roadways primarily within the unincorporated areas of
the county.
Master Planned Community (MPC):
A MPC is a planned community with its own land uses,
intensities and densities, and design standards.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL):
A standard set by the EPA that pertains to drinking water.
Municipality:
An administrative area that can include a city, town, or
group of towns.
Natural Open Space:
Natural open spaces are swaths of land that are
undeveloped.
Natural Resources:
Elements relating to land, water, air, plant and animal
life, and the interrelationship of those elements. Natural
resources include soils, geology, topography, floodplains,
vegetation, wildlife, surface and groundwater, and
aquifer recharge zones.
Neighborhood:
An area of a community with characteristics that
distinguish it from other community areas and which
may include distinct ethnic or economic characteristics,
schools, or social clubs, or boundaries defined by
physical barriers such as major highways and railroads
or natural features such as rivers.
Non-Site-Based Employment:
Workers that are not located at one site; examples
include temporary workers, and workers involved in
construction, landscape, and janitorial services.
112
APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY
112
APPENDIX D
Particulate Matter:
Microscopic liquid or solid droplets that when inhaled or
ingested can cause serious health problems.
Petroglyphs:
Images created on rock surfaces by prehistoric people.
Planning and Zoning Commission:
The Commission makes recommendations to the
Board of Supervisors on rezoning, special use permits,
military compatibility, and plan of development
applications, amendments to the Zoning Ordinance,
development master plans, and comprehensive plans.
The Commission may approve preliminary plats, grant
requests for initiative or rezoning applications, and
accept status reports on Special Use Permits.
Policy:
A specific statement derived from the goals to guide
public and private decision making.
Population Density:
The number of people in a given area. The number may
be obtained by multiplying the number of dwellings per
acre by the number of residents per dwelling.
Potable Water:
Water suitable for drinking.
Quality of Life:
Quality of life is the degree to which individuals perceive
themselves as able to function physically, emotionally,
and socially. Quality of life includes all aspects of
community life that have a direct influence on the
physical and mental health of its members.
Reclamation:
In context of wastewater, converting the wastewater
(sewage) into water that can be reused.
Renewable Energy Resource:
A renewable energy resource is a resource of economic
value that can be readily replaced. Renewable Energy
Resources are either not depleted or can be regenerated
when used, such as biomass or wind, hydroelectric,
solar, or tidal power.
Right-of-way:
A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by
certain transportation and public use facilities, such as
roadways, railroads and utility lines.
Salt River Project (SRP):
A community based not for profit power utility, and
largest water provider to the Phoenix Metropolitan area.
Scenic Corridor:
A designated area or roadway with recognized high
quality visual amenities that include background vistas
of mountains, open country or city.
Special Floord Hazard Area (SFHA):
A geographic area deemed hazardous due to potential
for flooding, mudflow, or erosion related to flooding.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO):
A division of Arizona State Parks charged with the
identification, evaluation, protection, and enhancement
of historic artifacts and architecture that are significant
to the State of Arizona and the United States.
Subdivision:
Improved or unimproved land or lands divided or
proposed to be divided for the purpose of sale or lease,
whether immediate or future, into six or more lots,
parcels or fractional interests.
Subsidence:
The gradual settling or sinking of the earth’s surface
with little or no horizontal motion. Subsidence is usually
the result of water extraction from underground supplies
and not the result of a landslide or slope failure.
Surface water:
Water that collects on top of land forms, creating
terrestrial waterbodies.
113
WHITE TANK GRAND AVENUE AREA PLAN | MARICOPA COUNTY
Sustainability:
Sustainability is the property of biological systems to
remain diverse and productive indefinitely. Sustainability
encompasses human systems, including economy and
development and biological systems. Sustainability
manifests in policies, programs, and initiatives that
support sustaining biodiversity and long‐term ecological
health necessary for the indefinite survival of humans
and other organisms.
Sustainable Development:
Sustainable
development
is
development
acknowledging sustainability in four interconnected
domains: ecology, economics, politics, and culture.
Sustainable development can be viewed as a holistic
approach and process to achieve sustainability.
Threatened Species:
Any species or subspecies which is likely to become
endangered within the foreseeable future because
serious threats have been identified and populations are
(a) lower than they are historically or (b) extremely local
and small.
Unincorporated Area:
An unincorporated area is a geographic area that does
not have legally defined municipal boundaries.
United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA):
The USDA is the US agency providing leadership on
food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development,
and nutrition.
United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA):
The EPA is a US agency charged with protecting human
and environmental health.
Utilities:
The company that owns and maintains electricity and
gas delivery equipment.
Vision Statement:
A vision statement describes a future ideal state.
Wastewater:
Includes sewage and all other liquid waste substances
associated with human habitation, or of human or
animal origin, or from any producing, manufacturing or
processing operation of whatever nature.
Watershed:
A watershed is an area of land that drains rainfall and
snow melts to a common outlet, such as a reservoir
or stream channel. The watershed consists of surface
waters as well as groundwater.
Water Treatment Plant:
A water treatment plant is a facility that processes (or
treats) water to make it potable.
WESTMARC:
The Western Maricopa Coalition is a public-private
partnership that addresses issues related to the West
Valley’s economic prosperity.
Zoning:
Zoning describes the regulatory control of the use of land
and buildings within a jurisdictional boundary. Areas of
land are divided by appropriate authorities into zones
within which various uses are permitted and regulated.
The Comprehensive Plan does not create or speak to
zoning districts, but zoning ultimately implements the
comprehensive plan.
Final Hearing Draft | White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan
W H I T E
T A N K
G R A N D
AVENUE
From:
Curtis Arnett
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
10 11 2023 White Tanks Grand Avenue Plan
Date:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 12:12:08 PM
Mr. Cannon,
Thank you for your phone time of yesterday on the WTGA plan in progress. Pasted below are
Wickenburg Dark Sky Association’s current comments. Looking forward to virtual meeting of
October 16.
Best wishes,
CA
WICKENBURG DARK SKY ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 967
WICKENBURG, ARIZONA 85358
928.671.8335
wickenburgdarksky.org
October 11, 2023
Adam Cannon, Senior Planner Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov
Maricopa County White Tank Grand Avenue Plan
This letter is a follow through on the Wickenburg Dark Sky Association’s letter of September 27
expressing support for the County’s White Tanks Grand Avenue plan in progress, with special
support for the proposition that Light pollution should be limited to protect dark skies.
The Association believes the proposed Dark Sky protection should extend to all parts of the planning
area under consideration.
The Association also believes Dark Sky protection should extend to all areas of the County under
County jurisdiction.
The Association greatly appreciates the County’s outreach in this White Tank Grand Avenue matter.
WTGA Meeting Committee
Curtis Arnett Walter Thomas
Copy Clint Hickman, Supervisor, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
Board of Directors: Barbara Abakonczyk, President; Theresa Dolan, Secretary;
Kimberly Wilkins, Treasurer; Elizabeth Wagner-Anast;
Curtis Arnett; Don Hoover; Walter Thomas
Comment IDate posted
User name
User email
Comment
12287 10/18/2023 - 1:57pm
Ron Miller
k7opa@outlook.com
Why is Wickenburg excluded?
12149 10/16/2023 - 6:15pm
Sheryl Hamlin
sherylhamlin@gmail.com
These population projections cannot be substantiated. Here is a university forecast showing deceleration of AZ population after 2020.
The water, heat, dust, air quallity and costs are factors in this deceleration. See exhibit 4.... https://eller.arizona.edu/departments-
research/centers-labs/economic-business-research/arizona-economic-
outlook#:~:text=Population%20growth%20decelerates%20in%202023,down%20from%201.7%25%20in%202022.
12779 11/02/2023 - 11:48am
Carolyn Hayes
carolyn.hayes@outlook.com
Why do you keep building when we don't have enough water? Build somewhere where there is water, not where we need water.
12150 10/16/2023 - 6:26pm
Sheryl Hamlin
sherylhamlin@gmail.com
"The city of Surprise and the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) are planning a major transportation study to improve
travel along Grand Avenue, a highway that runs across the West Valley from downtown Phoenix to rural areas northwest of Surprise.
The new study will assess current and future travel for an 18-mile stretch of Grand Avenue from the Loop 303 up north to the State
Route 74 — an area that's expected to see substantial growth over the next few decades."
Sounds like annexation by Surprise in order to justify this study.
https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2023/10/13/grand-ave-us-60-surprise-wittmann-74-mag-study.html
12151 10/16/2023 - 6:31pm
Sheryl Hamlin
sherylhamlin@gmail.com
Read this report. It is pretty obvious that AZ "leaders" are allowing CA trucks to use AZ as a trucking corridor for the sake of jobs.
Details on the contents of these CA shipments need clarification but much goes on to Texas. Improvements in the route for example
could help. Many ideas could reduce this traffic flow ... Why spend billions on roads for California's benefit? Transportation and
Logistics - Arizona Department of Transportation https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/2019/08/transportation-and-logistics.pdf
12152 10/16/2023 - 6:35pm
Sheryl Hamlin
sherylhamlin@gmail.com
The obvious use of this I-11 is to facilitate truck traffic to/from Mexico. Why? Because AZ is fallowing farmland, so all of the state's
food may eventually come from the southern hemisphere through Mexico. Thus the state's food independence is lost. Furthermore,
the 2000' right-of-way will destroy pristine desert.. Court has moved that lawsuit can go forward ... Read this report. It is pretty
obvious that AZ "leaders" are allowing CA trucks to use AZ as a trucking corridor for the sake of jobs. Details on the contents of these
CA shipments need clarification but much goes on to Texas. Improvements in the route for example could help. Many ideas could
reduce this traffic flow ...Transportation and Logistics - Arizona Department of Transportation
https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/2019/08/transportation-and-logistics.pdf
12153 10/16/2023 - 6:39pm
Sheryl Hamlin
sherylhamlin@gmail.com
This section makes no sense. PVNGS has been in place for 30 years and makes the a/c that is necessary for life in the desert bearable
as temps increase. The plant has been granted lifetime extensions until 2045, 2046 and 2047. By then there will be improvements in
nuclear. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-nuclear-paloverde/nrc-extends-life-of-largest-u-s-nuclear-station-
idUSTRE73K7PV20110421
12156 10/16/2023 - 6:53pm
Sheryl Hamlin
sherylhamlin@gmail.com
Peoria shut down one its wells due to PFOA contamination. This article is protected, but the city official indicated the well has been
taken off-line and a new water source will be needed. https://www.yourvalley.net/peoria-independent/stories/city-closes-water-
well-with-detected-forever-chemicals,454065
12154 10/16/2023 - 6:41pm
Sheryl Hamlin
sherylhamlin@gmail.com
Subsidence: stop using groundwater. Period.
12155 10/16/2023 - 6:45pm
Sheryl Hamlin
sherylhamlin@gmail.com
Employment growth is using an old model. Many jobs will disappear because of AI and other productivity techniques particularly
factory automation as manufacturing is repatriated. The recent jobs report showed the growth in one person holding multiple jobs
which will not driving housing development. This chart should be overlayed with the populatio increase.
1
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Monday, November 6, 2023 9:39 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: Reminder - White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan - Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing
Notice
Attachments:
image001.png
Thanks.
On Mon, Nov 6, 2023, 8:58 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Hi Sheryl,
Please see the attached document for a comment compilation. These will be shared with the Commission as part of
the report. Also, I wanted to make sure that we responded to your comments as they are important to us:
1. Population Projections – It is my understanding that MAG contracts with the University of Arizona and this
division for its projections. They have a fairly complex methodology that they use. It is available here:
https://azmag.gov/Portals/0/Maps‐Data/Population‐Housing/MAG‐Socioeconomic‐Projections‐
Documentation‐2023.pdf?ver=3cOa1Ng8dTVMUtQkS9axPg%3d%3d.
2. As you know, the County cannot control annexation as it is an agreement between a private property owner and
an incorporated community. There are laws associated with how an annexation can occur in Arizona Revised
Statutes. What we can and have done is placed policies within the plan geared at preserving rural areas within
County jurisdiction or buffering more intensive uses with open space or rural. Ultimately, this plan is guidelines
that we hope the decision makers are able to use when considering new development.
3. Much of the development associated with fulfillment and delivery is occurring (or has occurred) along the
303. Decision makers do consider this as economic and job centers for the West Valley. The reason why these
companies are locating here are primarily associated with the current tax environment in California and
available land in Arizona.
4. There has been a longstanding movement to create a Canada to Mexico trade route with Arizona being one of
the states as part of this route; however, the proposed I‐11 has several issues preventing its development at
the moment – namely, funding. Even if those issues are resolved, it will be a great deal of time before the
freeway is developed – 10 to 15 years, if it develops.
5. The section on Palo Verde briefly highlights potential hazards as there is a hazard‐mitigation component to the
plan. I don’t think anyone here thinks there is any real danger with the plant or believes that nuclear power is
unsafe. We are just highlighting that there is an ingestion area that does affect the plan area.
6. Water quality is regulated by the ADEQ. The County supports improved levels of water quality and there is a
policy in the plan associated with low‐impact development techniques.
7. I personally agree with you in regards to automation; however, this is across the board and not just limited to
this area plan or community. There are still a large number of jobs where people will commute from the area
and that’s part of the difference between population and employment growth.
2
Thanks. Please let me know if you have any questions.
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, November 6, 2023 8:08 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: Re: Reminder ‐ White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan ‐ Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing Notice
thanks. have you made a version with the compilation of comments?
On Mon, Nov 6, 2023 at 8:04 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good morning all:
A Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing on the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan will be held on November
16, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. in person in the Board of Supervisors Auditorium at 205 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
and virtual via Go To Webinar.
3
You may register for virtual attendance at the following link:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1154276537865486425
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Also, don’t miss out on your chance to comment on the draft plan! Visit https://plan.konveio.com/white‐tank‐grand‐
avenue‐area‐plan‐public‐draft or visit our website at https://www.maricopa.gov/5940/White‐Tank‐Grand‐Avenue‐
Area‐Plan and click on the Participate tab for instructions on how to comment.
Best regards,
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
4
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Monday, November 6, 2023 8:08 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: Reminder - White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan - Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing
Notice
thanks. have you made a version with the compilation of comments?
On Mon, Nov 6, 2023 at 8:04 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good morning all:
A Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing on the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan will be held on November 16,
2023 at 9:30 a.m. in person in the Board of Supervisors Auditorium at 205 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003 and
virtual via Go To Webinar.
You may register for virtual attendance at the following link:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1154276537865486425
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Also, don’t miss out on your chance to comment on the draft plan! Visit https://plan.konveio.com/white‐tank‐grand‐
avenue‐area‐plan‐public‐draft or visit our website at https://www.maricopa.gov/5940/White‐Tank‐Grand‐Avenue‐
Area‐Plan and click on the Participate tab for instructions on how to comment.
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
5
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
6
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Friday, November 3, 2023 1:23 PM
To:
Sheryl Hamlin
Subject:
Hamlin Comments on Direct Potable Reuse of wastewater (DPR)
Attachments:
AZDEQ_DPR_Hamlin_20231103.pdf
AZDEQ is currently writing state regulations for toilet‐to‐tap. The Phoenix mayor has expressed her desire to implement
by 2030.
Here is the permanent link to the Hamlin Commentary on DPR.
https://roathdesign.com/azdocs/AZDEQ_DPR_Hamlin_20231103.pdf
The file is attached in the event you cannot download.
7
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Greg Loper <greg.loper@peoriaaz.gov>
Sent:
Thursday, November 2, 2023 12:47 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
RE: Reminder: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan - Virtual Community Meeting TODAY
Thanks Adam – I may have some minor comments on the draft plan, which I’ll send to you asap.
Great work on it!
Greg Loper, AICP
Parks & Natural Resources Senior Planner
Strategic Planning
O: 623-773-4613
M: 602-550-7004
Greg.Loper@PeoriaAz.gov
City of Peoria | Planning Department
9875 N. 85th Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85345
Monday through Thursday, 7am to 6pm | Closed Friday
PeoriaAZ.gov/planning
From: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 12:04 PM
To: Greg Loper <greg.loper@peoriaaz.gov>
Subject: RE: Reminder: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan ‐ Virtual Community Meeting TODAY
❚
❛
❜❚
❛
❜This email arrived from an external source. Please exercise caution when opening
attachments or clicking on links.❚
❛
❜❚
❛
❜
Hi Greg,
Attached is a copy of the powerpoint presentation from the last meeting and quick summary sheets from the
last two meetings.
Thanks,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
8
From: Greg Loper <greg.loper@peoriaaz.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 12:57 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: RE: Reminder: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan ‐ Virtual Community Meeting TODAY
Thanks Adam!
Greg Loper, AICP
Parks & Natural Resources Senior Planner
Strategic Planning
O: 623-773-4613
M: 602-550-7004
Greg.Loper@PeoriaAz.gov
City of Peoria | Planning Department
9875 N. 85th Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85345
Monday through Thursday, 7am to 6pm | Closed Friday
PeoriaAZ.gov/planning
From: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 12:39 PM
To: Greg Loper <greg.loper@peoriaaz.gov>
Subject: RE: Reminder: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan ‐ Virtual Community Meeting TODAY
❚
❛
❜❚
❛
❜This email arrived from an external source. Please exercise caution when
opening attachments or clicking on links.❚
❛
❜❚
❛
❜
No worries. Hope youre better! Our consultant is working on a summary sheet and I’ll send that along
to you with a PDF of their presentation.
Thanks,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Greg Loper <greg.loper@peoriaaz.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 11:47 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: RE: Reminder: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan ‐ Virtual Community Meeting TODAY
Adam – Unfortunately I missed the meeting this past Monday due to the flu! Is there a quick
summary sheet and/or any handouts that you can send me?
9
Thanks in advance!
Greg Loper, AICP
Parks & Natural Resources Senior Planner
Strategic Planning
O: 623-773-4613
M: 602-550-7004
Greg.Loper@PeoriaAz.gov
City of Peoria | Planning Department
9875 N. 85th Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85345
Monday through Thursday, 7am to 6pm | Closed Friday
PeoriaAZ.gov/planning
From: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2023 2:56 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Cc: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: Reminder: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan ‐ Virtual Community Meeting TODAY
❚
❛
❜❚
❛
❜This email arrived from an external source. Please exercise
caution when opening attachments or clicking on links.❚
❛
❜❚
❛
❜
Good afternoon all:
As a reminder, we holding a Virtual Community Meeting to discuss the White Tank Grand
Avenue Area Plan update today from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you haven’t yet registered for
the virtual meeting, you may do so at this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsd‐ytpjIrHdTt2c2fB‐
lu5RMLAf9VhlH9#/registration.
Tonight’s meeting will present the draft area plan which is now available online for public
comment. Please visit the following link to comment on the draft plan:
https://plan.konveio.com/white‐tank‐grand‐avenue‐area‐plan‐public‐draft or visit our website
at https://www.maricopa.gov/5940/White‐Tank‐Grand‐Avenue‐Area‐Plan and click on the
Participate tab for instructions on how to comment.
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you there!
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
10
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Sent:
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 10:04 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
RE: 10 31 2023
Thanks, Adam –
Info is much appreciated
C
From: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, November 1, 2023 7:55 AM
To: Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Subject: RE: 10 31 2023
Good morning CurƟs,
At this point we will be noƟfying individuals of the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing and Board of Supervisors
hearing, but there are no new documents for us to release. We are taking the plan draŌ forward to the Commission.
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 5:15 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: RE: 10 31 2023
Good informaƟon. View from here is that the high percentage does not make full agreement a slam dunk but
substanƟates that it is a topic worth talking about.
Will there be further similar informaƟon released as the process conƟnues?
Hope it all goes well.
Much appreciaƟon
CurƟs
11
Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 2:06 PM
To: Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Subject: RE: 10 31 2023
CurƟs,
Out of 25 people who parƟcipated in the live poll at the Morristown meeƟng, 96% agreed with the statement “Light
polluƟon should be limited to protect dark skies.” 60 people aƩended the meeƟng, but not all aƩendees parƟcipated in
the live polling.
Thanks,
Adam
From: Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 1:37 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: 10 31 2023
Adam, good aŌernoon –
First, I want to tell you thanks for sending the color draŌ of the WTGA Plan. I have dipped into it variously especially the
parts involving Dark Sky. Overall, a fine piece of work! Very helpful!
Next, inevitably, a quesƟon. At the Morristown meeƟng there was a survey on agree/neutral/disagree with the
proposiƟon Light polluƟon should be limited to protect dark skies. Could you let me know what the numbers were or
are? I recognize that it’s a small sample not random &c but believe the size of the posiƟve response is a posiƟve
indicator. Any informaƟon/comment as you can will be appreciated.
CurƟs
12
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Sent:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 5:15 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
RE: 10 31 2023
Good informaƟon. View from here is that the high percentage does not make full agreement a slam dunk but
substanƟates that it is a topic worth talking about.
Will there be further similar informaƟon released as the process conƟnues?
Hope it all goes well.
Much appreciaƟon
CurƟs
Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 2:06 PM
To: Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Subject: RE: 10 31 2023
CurƟs,
Out of 25 people who parƟcipated in the live poll at the Morristown meeƟng, 96% agreed with the statement “Light
polluƟon should be limited to protect dark skies.” 60 people aƩended the meeƟng, but not all aƩendees parƟcipated in
the live polling.
Thanks,
Adam
From: Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 1:37 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: 10 31 2023
Adam, good aŌernoon –
First, I want to tell you thanks for sending the color draŌ of the WTGA Plan. I have dipped into it variously especially the
parts involving Dark Sky. Overall, a fine piece of work! Very helpful!
Next, inevitably, a quesƟon. At the Morristown meeƟng there was a survey on agree/neutral/disagree with the
proposiƟon Light polluƟon should be limited to protect dark skies. Could you let me know what the numbers were or
are? I recognize that it’s a small sample not random &c but believe the size of the posiƟve response is a posiƟve
indicator. Any informaƟon/comment as you can will be appreciated.
CurƟs
13
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Sent:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 1:37 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
10 31 2023
Adam, good aŌernoon –
First, I want to tell you thanks for sending the color draŌ of the WTGA Plan. I have dipped into it variously especially the
parts involving Dark Sky. Overall, a fine piece of work! Very helpful!
Next, inevitably, a quesƟon. At the Morristown meeƟng there was a survey on agree/neutral/disagree with the
proposiƟon Light polluƟon should be limited to protect dark skies. Could you let me know what the numbers were or
are? I recognize that it’s a small sample not random &c but believe the size of the posiƟve response is a posiƟve
indicator. Any informaƟon/comment as you can will be appreciated.
CurƟs
14
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
dlhunter@cox.net
Sent:
Monday, October 30, 2023 4:09 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Cc:
'Terri Hogan'; 'McKayla Dunfey'
Subject:
RE: White Tank Grand Ave Plans
Hello Again Adam,
You are spot on about "induced demand." In Houston, the freeway projects always came several years too late. We
would joke about the fact that a freeway opening, or expansion was no good because it would be immediately
congested the day it was opened.
Good luck with the WTGA project, I really like your approach to reduce any induced demand.
Regards,
David
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2023 1:16 PM
To: dlhunter@cox.net
Cc: 'Terri Hogan' <thogan@logansimpson.com>; 'McKayla Dunfey'
<mdunfey@logansimpson.com>
Subject: RE: White Tank Grand Ave Plans
Hi David,
The Katy Freeway is one of the most prominent examples of "induced demand", which is that if you add capacity to a
congested facility it will both encourage more trips during peak times that were previously being made at other times
and increases the overall number of daily trips. This induced demand ultimately undoes all the initial benefit from the
new capacity and leads to even more negative effects than there were previously (like pollution and noise).
The WTGA Plan aims to avoid this induced demand trap in a couple of ways.
First, we want to increase options for routes that people can take so that congested roadways (like US 60) do not need
to be continuously expanded. For example, longer‐intercity trips that are currently on US 60 could use the SR
74 and future I‐11 corridors which would alleviate some demand on US 60. For shorter trips, we encourage building out
the roadway network in growth areas so that there are multiple options; if there is congestion or a crash on one route,
there are alternatives. Second, we want pedestrian, bicycle, and golf cart infrastructure investments to make it safer and
more comfortable for people to make short trips using something other than a vehicle which also reduces congestion
and pollution while improving safety and public health.
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602‐372‐0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
15
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: dlhunter@cox.net <dlhunter@cox.net>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2023 9:05 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Cc: 'Terri Hogan' <thogan@logansimpson.com>; 'McKayla Dunfey'
<mdunfey@logansimpson.com>
Subject: RE: White Tank Grand Ave Plans
Hi Adam,
Many thanks for your prompt reply. One reason for my message is because I
visited and worked in the Houston area for many years. During that time,
I‐10 west, the Katy Freeway, grew from a 4 lane divided highway to a monster
of 5‐6 lanes in each direction with a toll road in the middle! It seemed
that every 2‐3 years another lane was being added.
If you search the internet for "Katy Tollway" you will see what has happened
to a freeway where attempts have been made to keep up with crazy population
and industrial growth has occurred. Could this happen in the WTGA expansion
area?
Enjoy,
David Hunter
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2023 7:37 AM
To: David L Hunter <dlhunter@cox.net>
Cc: Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>; McKayla Dunfey
<mdunfey@logansimpson.com>
Subject: RE: White Tank Grand Ave Plans
Good morning David,
Thank you for your feedback. I've shared this with our consultant who's
working on the plan. There is a transportation section in the plan with
goals associated with mitigating congestion. The plan also references
corridor improvements and interchange improvements along Grand Avenue at the
303.
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602‐372‐0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
16
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: David L Hunter <dlhunter@cox.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 28, 2023 10:16 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: White Tank Grand Ave Plans
Hello Adam,
I live in Sun City West. Recently I was at the intersection of Grand and SR
303 attempting to turn south from Grand Avenue onto the 303. There was so
much traffic coming off 303 attempting to go west on Grand that I had to
wait several minutes for the intersection to clear. This happened at noon on
Monday and suggests that traffic issues need to be addressed very soon.
Regards,
David Hunter
Cell/text: 623‐363‐5581
Sent from my iPhone
17
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
dlhunter@cox.net
Sent:
Monday, October 30, 2023 9:05 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Cc:
'Terri Hogan'; 'McKayla Dunfey'
Subject:
RE: White Tank Grand Ave Plans
Hi Adam,
Many thanks for your prompt reply. One reason for my message is because I visited and worked in the Houston area for
many years. During that time,
I‐10 west, the Katy Freeway, grew from a 4 lane divided highway to a monster of 5‐6 lanes in each direction with a toll
road in the middle! It seemed that every 2‐3 years another lane was being added.
If you search the internet for "Katy Tollway" you will see what has happened to a freeway where attempts have been
made to keep up with crazy population and industrial growth has occurred. Could this happen in the WTGA expansion
area?
Enjoy,
David Hunter
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2023 7:37 AM
To: David L Hunter <dlhunter@cox.net>
Cc: Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>; McKayla Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>
Subject: RE: White Tank Grand Ave Plans
Good morning David,
Thank you for your feedback. I've shared this with our consultant who's working on the plan. There is a transportation
section in the plan with goals associated with mitigating congestion. The plan also references corridor improvements
and interchange improvements along Grand Avenue at the 303.
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602‐372‐0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: David L Hunter <dlhunter@cox.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 28, 2023 10:16 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
18
Subject: White Tank Grand Ave Plans
Hello Adam,
I live in Sun City West. Recently I was at the intersection of Grand and SR
303 attempting to turn south from Grand Avenue onto the 303. There was so
much traffic coming off 303 attempting to go west on Grand that I had to
wait several minutes for the intersection to clear. This happened at noon on
Monday and suggests that traffic issues need to be addressed very soon.
Regards,
David Hunter
Cell/text: 623‐363‐5581
Sent from my iPhone
19
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
David L Hunter <dlhunter@cox.net>
Sent:
Saturday, October 28, 2023 10:16 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
White Tank Grand Ave Plans
Hello Adam,
I live in Sun City West. Recently I was at the intersection of Grand and SR 303 attempting to turn south from Grand
Avenue onto the 303. There was so much traffic coming off 303 attempting to go west on Grand that I had to wait
several minutes for the intersection to clear. This happened at noon on Monday and suggests that traffic issues need to
be addressed very soon.
Regards,
David Hunter
Cell/text: 623‐363‐5581
Sent from my iPhone
20
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, October 26, 2023 8:05 AM
To:
Sheryl Hamlin
Cc:
AZEVPlan - ADOT
Subject:
Mega-Jolt: The Costs and Logistics of Plugging In EVs Are About to Become Supercharged
https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2023/10/24/mega‐
jolt_the_costs_and_logistics_of_plugging_in_evs_are_about_to_become_supercharged_987493.html#%2Ffind%2Fnear
est%3Fcountry=US
Worth reading. Thought provoking article.
Tip of the iceberg. Nothing is said about the grid architectural and capacity upgrade which will be required. Rows of
windmills and acres of solar panels are preferred by enviros but nuclear and pumped storage hydro offer best value for
the money IMHO.
Ideally the dangerous lithium battery will be a museum relic in the future as new technologies evolve.
The CA numbers are staggering. Article is silent on security.
And the realities have more to do with urbanized living. Bigger topic.
21
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Sambrookes <srs2az@gmail.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 2:50 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: White Tank Grand Ave Area Plan Input
Thank you. I have reviewed the draft copy of the plan. I do appreciate knowing how I can watch the meeting online.
Sheryl
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 2:11 PM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good afternoon Sheryl,
Thank you for sharing this. We’ve posted the meeting online at https://www.maricopa.gov/5940/White‐Tank‐Grand‐
Avenue‐Area‐Plan and you can watch it if you click the “Resources” tab. Also, available is a draft copy of the plan at
https://plan.konveio.com/white‐tank‐grand‐avenue‐area‐plan‐public‐draft. It addresses transportation policy
associated with congestion as it is an issue that continues to arise and we’ve continued to hear about from citizens.
Thank you,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
22
From: Sheryl Sambrookes <srs2az@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 12:19 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: White Tank Grand Ave Area Plan Input
Good afternoon Adam,
I just wanted to add some input on the future of the Grand Ave area. I signed up for the zoom meeting on Monday.
However, due to one of the area's biggest concerns which is traffic problems, I was unable to get home from shopping
and get ready in time to attend. The off ramp to Grand from the 303 southbound was closed due to an overturned
truck. My husband and I had to continue on to exit on Bell Rd to reverse course on the 303. Then the off ramp to Grand
from northbound 303 was so backed up that we continued on all the way to Lake Pleasant Pkwy where we exited to
drive north to the Carefree Hwy and return home. By the time we got home and started unloading groceries, it was
already almost 5:30. I turned on the meeting but did not have time to sit in front of the computer. I planned to just
listen while I put groceries away, etc., but I didn't know if I could just turn on the audio portion to do that, or if I had to
be identified by sitting in front of my computer. Not having the time to figure it out, I just exited the meeting. The next
morning I read much of the information about the plan online.
The projected growth for this area (another 285,700 people by 2040) is beyond overwhelming for those of us who
currently live here. The implications of the BNSF plans especially will transform the area. I wrote about our concerns to
the Surprise City Council prior to their BNSF vote. Rather than rewrite them, I am attaching a copy of the email to you
as it addresses our greatest concerns for the Grand Ave area.
Even now, prior to this proposed massive expansion, the desert seems to be suffering as we've noticed more saguaro
cacti falling over, like the beautiful crowned one in the attached photo, found early last month after the excessively hot
summer. We've witnessed wildlife suffering this summer too. The desert is a unique and fragile ecosystem. Even cacti
have their limits. It is very disturbing to think about how the negative effects of development on the desert will expand
and escalate in the future.
Sincerely,
Sheryl Sambrookes
Morristown
24
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Sent:
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 12:55 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
RE: 2023 WTGA Plan Copy Availabilitiy
Adam,
Thank you for your kind reply.
I would like to receive a color printed copy of the WTGA draŌ plan and appreciate that is a draŌ unƟl approved as you
have indicated.
Shipping address is CurƟs ArneƩ, PO Box 1073, Wickenburg, AZ 85358.
Looking forward to reviewing on behalf of Wickenburg Dark Skky AssociaƟon.
AppreciaƟon
CurƟs
From: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 8:56 AM
To: Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Subject: RE: 2023 WTGA Plan Copy Availabilitiy
CurƟs,
We can send you a plan to your address or have you come and pick it up here at 301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 170 Phoenix,
AZ 85003. Just a note though, this isn’t the final plan. It’s only a draŌ. We sƟll have to send it through the Commission
and Board before we have an approved final document.
Thanks,
Adam
From: Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 2:46 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: 2023 WTGA Plan Copy Availabilitiy
Adam,
I would like to obtain a copy, color, of the new 2023 WTGA plan as released yesterday. My color prinƟng is limited, and
having an original with colors would be very helpful. I’ll be happy to purchase.
Could you let me know how to go about this?
A poinƟng in the right direcƟon as you can will be appreciated.
Thanks
CurƟs
25
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Sambrookes <srs2az@gmail.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 12:19 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
White Tank Grand Ave Area Plan Input
Attachments:
Resized_20230909_112525.jpeg; Letter to Surprise City Council BNSF 2023_0223.pdf
Good afternoon Adam,
I just wanted to add some input on the future of the Grand Ave area. I signed up for the zoom meeting on Monday.
However, due to one of the area's biggest concerns which is traffic problems, I was unable to get home from shopping
and get ready in time to attend. The off ramp to Grand from the 303 southbound was closed due to an overturned truck.
My husband and I had to continue on to exit on Bell Rd to reverse course on the 303. Then the off ramp to Grand from
northbound 303 was so backed up that we continued on all the way to Lake Pleasant Pkwy where we exited to drive
north to the Carefree Hwy and return home. By the time we got home and started unloading groceries, it was already
almost 5:30. I turned on the meeting but did not have time to sit in front of the computer. I planned to just listen while I
put groceries away, etc., but I didn't know if I could just turn on the audio portion to do that, or if I had to be identified
by sitting in front of my computer. Not having the time to figure it out, I just exited the meeting. The next morning I read
much of the information about the plan online.
The projected growth for this area (another 285,700 people by 2040) is beyond overwhelming for those of us who
currently live here. The implications of the BNSF plans especially will transform the area. I wrote about our concerns to
the Surprise City Council prior to their BNSF vote. Rather than rewrite them, I am attaching a copy of the email to you as
it addresses our greatest concerns for the Grand Ave area.
Even now, prior to this proposed massive expansion, the desert seems to be suffering as we've noticed more saguaro
cacti falling over, like the beautiful crowned one in the attached photo, found early last month after the excessively hot
summer. We've witnessed wildlife suffering this summer too. The desert is a unique and fragile ecosystem. Even cacti
have their limits. It is very disturbing to think about how the negative effects of development on the desert will expand
and escalate in the future.
Sincerely,
Sheryl Sambrookes
Morristown
26
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Sent:
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 2:46 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
2023 WTGA Plan Copy Availabilitiy
Adam,
I would like to obtain a copy, color, of the new 2023 WTGA plan as released yesterday. My color prinƟng is limited, and
having an original with colors would be very helpful. I’ll be happy to purchase.
Could you let me know how to go about this?
A poinƟng in the right direcƟon as you can will be appreciated.
Thanks
CurƟs
27
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Franko Conlon <pitconlon@outlook.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 8:50 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
White moutain
Where is the water supply coming from.evidently no water problem in this state. Frank
28
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Friday, October 13, 2023 6:41 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Grand Ave Upgrade
Attachments:
Surprise_Grand_Ave_Upgrades.pdf
Hello.
Cannot be good for the historic desert corridors ... paves the way for more Surprise annexations in the area. Why else
would Surprise be interested in this road improvement?
Were you aware of this?
Perhaps you can discuss next week.
Thanks
29
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, October 12, 2023 9:17 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: WTGA Planning Area Site Change
Who makes the municipal planning boundaries?
Do they prevent annexation?
How does the WTGA area plan interact with the planning areas?
Thanks
On Wed, Oct 11, 2023, 8:19 AM Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com> wrote:
thanks. will study
On Wed, Oct 11, 2023 at 8:06 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good morning Sheryl,
The County cannot control the annexation of land by a municipality; however, annexations must occur through the
consent of the owner(s) and must occur within a municipal planning area.
If you see below in the orange and the green are Peoria and Surprise’s municipal planning area boundaries. The
municipal planning areas are established by the respective city or town, thus demonstrating that they do not have an
intention to annex outside of these areas. It’s important to also distinguish this boundary from the jurisdictional
boundary. The municipal planning area boundary is not necessarily their jurisdictional boundary. Their current
jurisdictional boundary must touch the property they desire to annex. BLM (Bureau of Land Management – Federal)
and ASLD (Arizona State Land Department – State) hold a great deal of land in the area north of Hwy 74. It is unlikely
that BLM land will be annexed north of Peoria. ASLD land could potentially be annexed, but it would require the
Surprise municipal boundary to touch that land and the consent of ASLD or the owner of the property at that time if
ASLD has auctioned the land.
Best regards,
30
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 7:35 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: Re: WTGA Planning Area Site Change
Here is the map. What is to keep Peoria from annexing everything to the west...north of the 74...
https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/84205/White‐Tank‐Grand‐Avenue‐Plan‐Map?bidId=
On Wed, Oct 11, 2023 at 7:25 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good morning Sheryl,
The area you are referencing is already part of the planning area established when the original plan was adopted in
2000. Including the area north of the 74 ensures that rural and open space land use designations remain in place
along with policies related to adherence with the scenic corridor and rural vs. urban development.
31
Thanks. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 3:30 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Cc: Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>; McKayla Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>; Clint Hickman
(BOS) <Clint.Hickman@Maricopa.Gov>
Subject: Re: WTGA Planning Area Site Change
I see no reason the WTGA planning area should extend north of the 74.
32
The density and scenic landscape in this area is still natural and does not need planning "help".
The two massive bookends on the south side of 74 (TSMC and BNSF) will be magnets to fill in the historic 74 scenic
corridor with more development from the West Valley. Shamefully obvious.
Who asked for the WTGA planning area to extend north of 74? What city has eyes on this pristine property? That
should be disclosed. Voters need to know.
Thanks.
On Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 3:13 PM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good afternoon Sheryl,
See below for responses to your questions.
1. The study will be referenced in the plan, but note, they are not scheduled for funding at the state or
regional level at this time.
2. The Wickenburg Scenic Highway Corridor is not abandoned. The document you reference is used in all
zoning requests taking place within the corridor. Applicants are required to address that document when
they submit a request for zoning along with the regulatory requirements of the corridor. We address each
of the corridors briefly in the plan.
3. The project you are referring to is a zoning request that is presently under review and has not went to
hearing. Please direct any questions or comments on that case to Andrew Lorentzen at
Andrew.lorentzen@maricopa.gov.
Thanks,
Adam Cannon, AICP
33
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 7, 2023 7:37 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>; Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>; McKayla
Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>
Subject: WTGA Plan Material
Here is a previous study about the 60. How does this fit in with the WTGA area plan?
https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2020/04/US60_CorridorStudy.pdf
There was another previous study about a scenic corridor. Has this been abandoned?
https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6761/Wickenburg‐Scenic‐Highway‐Corridor‐PDF
And, there is a new proposal to build a truck stop on 60/74 presumably to service TSMC although on wrong side of
the street.
https://wickenburgsun.com/news/41385/fuel‐stop‐proposed‐at‐morristown/
34
The above truck stop does not appear to fit the rural characteristics the residents prefer.
All of these should be on the agenda for the next community meeting. Thanks
35
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Curtis Arnett <curtisarnett@cox.net>
Sent:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 12:12 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
10 11 2023 White Tanks Grand Avenue Plan
Mr. Cannon,
Thank you for your phone Ɵme of yesterday on the WTGA plan in progress. Pasted below are Wickenburg Dark Sky
AssociaƟon’s current comments. Looking forward to virtual meeƟng of October 16.
Best wishes,
CA
WICKENBURG DARK SKY ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 967
WICKENBURG, ARIZONA 85358
928.671.8335
wickenburgdarksky.org
October 11, 2023
Adam Cannon, Senior Planner Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov
Maricopa County White Tank Grand Avenue Plan
This letter is a follow through on the Wickenburg Dark Sky Association’s letter of September 27 expressing support for
the County’s White Tanks Grand Avenue plan in progress, with special support for the proposition that Light pollution
should be limited to protect dark skies.
The Association believes the proposed Dark Sky protection should extend to all parts of the planning area under
consideration.
The Association also believes Dark Sky protection should extend to all areas of the County under County jurisdiction.
The Association greatly appreciates the County’s outreach in this White Tank Grand Avenue matter.
WTGA Meeting Committee
Curtis Arnett Walter Thomas
Copy Clint Hickman, Supervisor, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
36
Board of Directors: Barbara Abakonczyk, President; Theresa Dolan, Secretary;
Kimberly Wilkins, Treasurer; Elizabeth Wagner-Anast;
Curtis Arnett; Don Hoover; Walter Thomas
37
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 11:53 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: Reminder: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan - Virtual Community Meeting
Thanks.
On Wed, Oct 11, 2023, 11:51 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Sheryl,
I’ve sent your letter to the planner working on that case Andrew Lorentzen.
Thanks,
Adam
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 10:22 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: Re: Reminder: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan ‐ Virtual Community Meeting
fyi.two items: Lonesome Dove and AZ Precipitation
1. Comments about new truck stop on 60.
2. NOAA Historic Precipitation: As you can see from the timeline, AZ precipitation peaked in the mid 1930's and
subsequent peaks have been smaller:
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate‐at‐a‐glance/statewide/time‐series/2/pcp/12/9/1895‐
2023?base_prd=true&begbaseyear=1895&endbaseyear=2023
38
On Mon, Oct 9, 2023 at 4:57 PM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good afternoon all:
As a reminder, we are holding a virtual Community Meeting to discuss the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan update
on Monday, October 16, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Please visit our website to register for the meeting at: https://www.maricopa.gov/5940/White‐Tank‐Grand‐Avenue‐
Area‐Plan.
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you there!
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
39
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 10:22 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: Reminder: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan - Virtual Community Meeting
Attachments:
image001.png; Hamlin_Lonesome_Dove_Z2023104.pdf; AZ_water_1895_2023_NOAA.jpg
fyi.two items: Lonesome Dove and AZ Precipitation
1. Comments about new truck stop on 60.
2. NOAA Historic Precipitation: As you can see from the timeline, AZ precipitation peaked in the mid 1930's and
subsequent peaks have been smaller:
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate‐at‐a‐glance/statewide/time‐series/2/pcp/12/9/1895‐
2023?base_prd=true&begbaseyear=1895&endbaseyear=2023
On Mon, Oct 9, 2023 at 4:57 PM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good afternoon all:
As a reminder, we are holding a virtual Community Meeting to discuss the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan update
on Monday, October 16, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Please visit our website to register for the meeting at: https://www.maricopa.gov/5940/White‐Tank‐Grand‐Avenue‐
Area‐Plan.
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you there!
Best regards,
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
40
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
41
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 8:19 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: WTGA Planning Area Site Change
Attachments:
image002.png
thanks. will study
On Wed, Oct 11, 2023 at 8:06 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good morning Sheryl,
The County cannot control the annexation of land by a municipality; however, annexations must occur through the
consent of the owner(s) and must occur within a municipal planning area.
If you see below in the orange and the green are Peoria and Surprise’s municipal planning area boundaries. The
municipal planning areas are established by the respective city or town, thus demonstrating that they do not have an
intention to annex outside of these areas. It’s important to also distinguish this boundary from the jurisdictional
boundary. The municipal planning area boundary is not necessarily their jurisdictional boundary. Their current
jurisdictional boundary must touch the property they desire to annex. BLM (Bureau of Land Management – Federal)
and ASLD (Arizona State Land Department – State) hold a great deal of land in the area north of Hwy 74. It is unlikely
that BLM land will be annexed north of Peoria. ASLD land could potentially be annexed, but it would require the
Surprise municipal boundary to touch that land and the consent of ASLD or the owner of the property at that time if
ASLD has auctioned the land.
44
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 7:35 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: Re: WTGA Planning Area Site Change
Here is the map. What is to keep Peoria from annexing everything to the west...north of the 74...
https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/84205/White‐Tank‐Grand‐Avenue‐Plan‐Map?bidId=
On Wed, Oct 11, 2023 at 7:25 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good morning Sheryl,
The area you are referencing is already part of the planning area established when the original plan was adopted in
2000. Including the area north of the 74 ensures that rural and open space land use designations remain in place
along with policies related to adherence with the scenic corridor and rural vs. urban development.
Thanks. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Best regards,
45
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 3:30 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Cc: Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>; McKayla Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>; Clint Hickman (BOS)
<Clint.Hickman@Maricopa.Gov>
Subject: Re: WTGA Planning Area Site Change
I see no reason the WTGA planning area should extend north of the 74.
The density and scenic landscape in this area is still natural and does not need planning "help".
The two massive bookends on the south side of 74 (TSMC and BNSF) will be magnets to fill in the historic 74 scenic
corridor with more development from the West Valley. Shamefully obvious.
46
Who asked for the WTGA planning area to extend north of 74? What city has eyes on this pristine property? That
should be disclosed. Voters need to know.
Thanks.
On Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 3:13 PM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good afternoon Sheryl,
See below for responses to your questions.
1. The study will be referenced in the plan, but note, they are not scheduled for funding at the state or regional
level at this time.
2. The Wickenburg Scenic Highway Corridor is not abandoned. The document you reference is used in all
zoning requests taking place within the corridor. Applicants are required to address that document when
they submit a request for zoning along with the regulatory requirements of the corridor. We address each of
the corridors briefly in the plan.
3. The project you are referring to is a zoning request that is presently under review and has not went to
hearing. Please direct any questions or comments on that case to Andrew Lorentzen at
Andrew.lorentzen@maricopa.gov.
Thanks,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
47
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 7, 2023 7:37 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>; Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>; McKayla
Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>
Subject: WTGA Plan Material
Here is a previous study about the 60. How does this fit in with the WTGA area plan?
https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2020/04/US60_CorridorStudy.pdf
There was another previous study about a scenic corridor. Has this been abandoned?
https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6761/Wickenburg‐Scenic‐Highway‐Corridor‐PDF
And, there is a new proposal to build a truck stop on 60/74 presumably to service TSMC although on wrong side of
the street.
https://wickenburgsun.com/news/41385/fuel‐stop‐proposed‐at‐morristown/
The above truck stop does not appear to fit the rural characteristics the residents prefer.
All of these should be on the agenda for the next community meeting. Thanks
49
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 7:35 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: WTGA Planning Area Site Change
Attachments:
image001.png
Here is the map. What is to keep Peoria from annexing everything to the west...north of the 74...
https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/84205/White‐Tank‐Grand‐Avenue‐Plan‐Map?bidId=
On Wed, Oct 11, 2023 at 7:25 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good morning Sheryl,
The area you are referencing is already part of the planning area established when the original plan was adopted in
2000. Including the area north of the 74 ensures that rural and open space land use designations remain in place along
with policies related to adherence with the scenic corridor and rural vs. urban development.
Thanks. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Best regards,
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
50
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 3:30 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Cc: Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>; McKayla Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>; Clint Hickman (BOS)
<Clint.Hickman@Maricopa.Gov>
Subject: Re: WTGA Planning Area Site Change
I see no reason the WTGA planning area should extend north of the 74.
The density and scenic landscape in this area is still natural and does not need planning "help".
The two massive bookends on the south side of 74 (TSMC and BNSF) will be magnets to fill in the historic 74 scenic
corridor with more development from the West Valley. Shamefully obvious.
Who asked for the WTGA planning area to extend north of 74? What city has eyes on this pristine property? That
should be disclosed. Voters need to know.
Thanks.
On Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 3:13 PM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
51
Good afternoon Sheryl,
See below for responses to your questions.
1. The study will be referenced in the plan, but note, they are not scheduled for funding at the state or regional
level at this time.
2. The Wickenburg Scenic Highway Corridor is not abandoned. The document you reference is used in all zoning
requests taking place within the corridor. Applicants are required to address that document when they
submit a request for zoning along with the regulatory requirements of the corridor. We address each of the
corridors briefly in the plan.
3. The project you are referring to is a zoning request that is presently under review and has not went to
hearing. Please direct any questions or comments on that case to Andrew Lorentzen at
Andrew.lorentzen@maricopa.gov.
Thanks,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 7, 2023 7:37 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>; Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>; McKayla Dunfey
<mdunfey@logansimpson.com>
Subject: WTGA Plan Material
52
Here is a previous study about the 60. How does this fit in with the WTGA area plan?
https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2020/04/US60_CorridorStudy.pdf
There was another previous study about a scenic corridor. Has this been abandoned?
https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6761/Wickenburg‐Scenic‐Highway‐Corridor‐PDF
And, there is a new proposal to build a truck stop on 60/74 presumably to service TSMC although on wrong side of the
street.
https://wickenburgsun.com/news/41385/fuel‐stop‐proposed‐at‐morristown/
The above truck stop does not appear to fit the rural characteristics the residents prefer.
All of these should be on the agenda for the next community meeting. Thanks
53
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 3:30 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Cc:
Terri Hogan; McKayla Dunfey; Clint Hickman (BOS)
Subject:
Re: WTGA Planning Area Site Change
Attachments:
image001.png
I see no reason the WTGA planning area should extend north of the 74.
The density and scenic landscape in this area is still natural and does not need planning "help".
The two massive bookends on the south side of 74 (TSMC and BNSF) will be magnets to fill in the historic 74 scenic
corridor with more development from the West Valley. Shamefully obvious.
Who asked for the WTGA planning area to extend north of 74? What city has eyes on this pristine property? That should
be disclosed. Voters need to know.
Thanks.
On Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 3:13 PM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good afternoon Sheryl,
See below for responses to your questions.
1. The study will be referenced in the plan, but note, they are not scheduled for funding at the state or regional
level at this time.
2. The Wickenburg Scenic Highway Corridor is not abandoned. The document you reference is used in all zoning
requests taking place within the corridor. Applicants are required to address that document when they submit
a request for zoning along with the regulatory requirements of the corridor. We address each of the corridors
briefly in the plan.
3. The project you are referring to is a zoning request that is presently under review and has not went to
hearing. Please direct any questions or comments on that case to Andrew Lorentzen at
Andrew.lorentzen@maricopa.gov.
Thanks,
54
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 7, 2023 7:37 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>; Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>; McKayla Dunfey
<mdunfey@logansimpson.com>
Subject: WTGA Plan Material
Here is a previous study about the 60. How does this fit in with the WTGA area plan?
https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2020/04/US60_CorridorStudy.pdf
There was another previous study about a scenic corridor. Has this been abandoned?
https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6761/Wickenburg‐Scenic‐Highway‐Corridor‐PDF
And, there is a new proposal to build a truck stop on 60/74 presumably to service TSMC although on wrong side of the
street.
55
https://wickenburgsun.com/news/41385/fuel‐stop‐proposed‐at‐morristown/
The above truck stop does not appear to fit the rural characteristics the residents prefer.
All of these should be on the agenda for the next community meeting. Thanks
56
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Saturday, October 7, 2023 7:37 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND); Terri Hogan; McKayla Dunfey
Subject:
WTGA Plan Material
Here is a previous study about the 60. How does this fit in with the WTGA area plan?
https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2020/04/US60_CorridorStudy.pdf
There was another previous study about a scenic corridor. Has this been abandoned?
https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6761/Wickenburg‐Scenic‐Highway‐Corridor‐PDF
And, there is a new proposal to build a truck stop on 60/74 presumably to service TSMC although on wrong side of the
street.
https://wickenburgsun.com/news/41385/fuel‐stop‐proposed‐at‐morristown/
The above truck stop does not appear to fit the rural characteristics the residents prefer.
All of these should be on the agenda for the next community meeting. Thanks
57
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Larry Woods <lwoodsusa@gmail.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 4:30 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
A suggestion
Hi, Adam,
A suggestion... Make your attachments PDFs, and not Word
docs. First, some people won't be able to view this, and secondly,
I can screw with you by changing the docx and distributing it on
Facebook, etc.
Larry Woods
Office: 623-556-8949
Cell: 602-369-5049
--- NOTICE ---
This message is for the designated recipient and may contain confidential,
privileged, or proprietary information. If you have received it in error,
please notify the sender immediately and delete the original and any copy
or printout. Unintended recipients are prohibited from making any other
use of this e-mail. Although we have taken reasonable precautions to
ensure no viruses are present in this email, we accept no liability for any
loss or damage arising from using this email or attachments or for any
delay, errors, or omissions in the contents resulting from email
transmission.
58
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>
Sent:
Monday, October 2, 2023 9:01 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
FW: ADOT contacts - Morristown Elementary School Bus Endangerment
fyi
From: Clemenc Ligocki <cligocki@azdot.gov>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 7:01 AM
To: Dr. Jennifer Petty <jpetty@morristowneld75.org>
Cc: Sandra Hoffman <shoffman@logansimpson.com>; Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>; toreilly@azdot.gov;
Bruce Fenske <bfenske@azdot.gov>
Subject: Re: ADOT contacts ‐ Morristown Elementary School Bus Endangerment
sophospsmartbannerend
Dr. Petty:
Thank you for including me in this correspondence. I will talk with appropriate team members here at ADOT and we will
respond to you as soon as we can.
Clem
On Sat, Sep 30, 2023 at 10:56 PM Dr. Jennifer Petty <jpetty@morristowneld75.org> wrote:
Thank you for following up. I truly appreciate your help and support!
Respectfully,
Dr. Jennifer Petty, Superintendent/Principal
Morristown Elementary School
Morristown Elementary School District
p: 623‐546‐5100 f: 623‐388‐9368
a: 25950 W. Rockaway Hills Road, Morristown, AZ 85342
w: www.morristowneld75.org e: jpetty@morristowneld75.org
On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 8:00 AM Sandra Hoffman <shoffman@logansimpson.com> wrote:
Good morning, Dr. Petty,
During the community meeting for the Maricopa County White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan Update on September
27th, you expressed concern about the Morristown Elementary School bus drivers not being able to have clear views in
both directions on W. Grand Avenue (U.S. 60 West) and the speed of the vehicles on Grand Avenue.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
59
I’ve copied several ADOT staff that may be able to help. Clem Ligocki is the ADOT staff that is part of the White Tank
Grand Avenue Area Plan Update team. Tom O’Reilly and Bruce Fenske are managers with ADOT.
Tom O’Reilly: toreilly@azdot.gov
Bruce Fenske: bfenske@azdot.gov
Clem Ligocki: cligocki@azdot.gov
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Thank you!
Sandra Hoffman AICP
Senior Associate Planner
Logan Simpson
51 W. 3rd St., Ste. 450
Tempe, AZ 85281
P 480-967-1343
F 480-966-9232
shoffman@logansimpson.com
www.logansimpson.com
‐‐
Clemenc Ligocki
Planning and Programming Manager
ADOT Multimodal Planning Division
60
1611 W. Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602‐712‐8143 (office)
480‐708‐1967 (cell)
azdot.gov
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
61
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Saturday, September 30, 2023 12:35 PM
To:
Sheryl Hamlin
Subject:
White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan Meeting Notes
I attended the Morristown meeting. Here are my notes. Fast moving schedule. Water issues and more.
http://roathdesign.com/azdocs/WTGA_Community_Meeting_20230927_hamlin.pdf
62
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Friday, September 29, 2023 11:17 AM
To:
Sheryl Hamlin
Subject:
IAEA....water
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/glowal‐a‐new‐global‐water‐resources‐initiative
International Atomic Energy Agency
Countries will need massive energy for new water projects. Logical pairing.
Several important nuclear fusion projects underway.
63
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, September 28, 2023 4:46 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND); Terri Hogan; McKayla Dunfey
Subject:
Drought conditions and more
Attachments:
2023_Phoenix_AMA_GW_Model_Report.pdf
This drought map is updated regularly...
https://new.azwater.gov/drought/drought‐status
Maricopa and Yavapai are both partially D2 but looks like all of the WTGA planning area.
Attached is the water model Gov Hobbs had DWR release.
Since water was a high rated issue, you might include.
64
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Julia Brooks <jmaciasbrooks@gmail.com>
Sent:
Monday, September 25, 2023 1:47 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND); Curtis Arnett; Karla Mortimer
Subject:
White Tanks Corridor - Wickenburg
Hello Adam,
I’ve recently read about the upcoming meeting on the WT Grand Avenue Plan. Unfortunately I will be
out of the area on Wednesday.
I would like to invite you to meet in Wickenburg with local leaders in the coming months.
As a retired chamber professional of over 40 years, our community has a great interest
in the planning for Maricopa County.
As an active member and Chairperson of the Wickenburg Chamber Transportation Committee,
as well as a consultant for Wickenburg Dark Sky Association, I believe many in our membership
and TOW Leadership would be happy to provide their input.
I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Best regards,
Julia Brooks
Retired Chamber CEO
jmaciasbrooks@gmail.com
602.615.5479
Sent from Mail for Windows
65
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, September 14, 2023 12:26 PM
To:
Sheryl Hamlin
Subject:
AZ Capitol Times Water Briefing (Notes and link to video)
This compact meeting lasted one hour, but it was dense with information. The panelists were executives in the State of
Arizona charged with implementing the best water solutions in light of an ever changing climate.
There are links in my notes to the meeting video as well as to the Federal Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and a
summary of the participants' comments.
Here are my notes:
http://roathdesign.com/azdocs/2023_AZ_Water_Management_Notes_Hamlin.pdf
Congratulations to Gary Grado for an informative, successful meeting.
66
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 4:31 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Cc:
Michele Staples
Subject:
Re: Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Hi Adam ‐ just an FYI, there has been feedback that folks are disappointed with the timing of the event not being
considerate of the “working class”. What happened to trying to get this to be a 6pm meeting?
‐Kimberly
On Sep 11, 2023, at 7:54 AM, Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Thank you Kimberly,
Best regards,
Adam
From: Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2023 7:19 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Cc: Michele Staples <onelsarmy2016@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
I passed this along to the folks in Wittman and our 219th community in Surprise. I’ve asked them to pass it along the line
to reach out to our neighbors throughout the planning area.
‐Kimberly
On Sep 5, 2023, at 2:13 PM, Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good afternoon all:
We are pleased to announce that we have scheduled an additional Community Meeting to discuss the White Tank Grand
Avenue Area Plan update on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 in‐person at Morristown Elementary (25950 W Rockway
Hills Rd., Morristown, AZ 85342) from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Later this week we will be distributing an e‐mail blast to
area residents and have prepared outreach materials for social media. We would greatly appreciate if you share these
materials as you are able with your broader networks and the community so that we can encourage attendance of the
meeting.
The documents prepared for you to share include text/graphics for Facebook and Nextdoor posts. If you need any
technical assistance regarding sharing the information, I’ll make sure our consultant reaches out to you to walk you
through any posting processes if needed.
Thank you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or feedback you may have.
67
Best regards,
<image001.png>
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-506-3301
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
68
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Brian Stutsman (MCSO) <BrianStutsman@MCSO.Maricopa.gov>
Sent:
Monday, September 11, 2023 4:52 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Cc:
James McFarland (MCSO); Phil Dougherty (MCSO); John Bailey (MCSO, Chief); Philip Hilliker (MCSO);
David Letourneau (MCSO); Larry Kratzer (MCSO); Frank McWilliams (MCSO)
Subject:
Area of Responsibilities and Assignments for County Planning and Future Growth
Adam,
Thank you for our discussion today on idenƟfying who the appropriate commanders are for their respecƟve areas of
responsibiliƟes. I am going to pass on to you the appropriate commanders and bureau chiefs for you to reach out to
when you have zoning changes, new projects or other maƩers related to law enforcement services and response needs.
Any projects that you would like input on as it relates to growth in our areas of responsibility please reach out directly to
the below Commanders and respecƟve Bureau Chiefs. As we talked about, our concern is growth and development
policies that require consideraƟon for staffing, demands from law enforcement services etc.
The County is divided into two Bureaus (West and East)
Chief Phil Dougherty is Patrol Bureau West – Cell: 602‐989‐3552
Chief James McFarland is Patrol Bureau East – Cell: 602‐527‐7119
The districts are divided amongst the Captains as follows:
District 1 (East Mesa) Captain John Bailey – Cell: 602‐316‐8496
District 2 (Avondale, Gila Bend) Captain Phil Hilliker – Cell: 602‐908‐7279
District 3 (Sun CiƟes, Aguila) Captain Brian Stutsman – Cell: 602‐679‐0804
District 4 (Cave Creek, Anthem) Captain David Letourneau – Cell: 602‐525‐3957
District 7 (Fountain Hills, Rio Verde) Captain Larry Kratzer – Cell: 602‐526‐4241
I look forward to working with you and your team to ensure the Sheriff’s Office is considered while projects are in the
planning stages.
Respecƞully,
Captain Brian Stutsman
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
District III Patrol
Ofc. 602.876.4925
Cell 602.679.0804
69
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Nancy Collins <nancy.collins.az@gmail.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 10:33 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Thank you!
I was at the recent meeting in Sun City West, and I will be at this meeting.
I will share on the attached on social media and with friends.
Sincerely,
Nancy
Nancy Collins
16269 W Starry Sky Drive
Surprise, AZ 85374
Nancy.collins.AZ@gmail.com
623‐398‐5286
On Sep 5, 2023, at 2:11 PM, Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good afternoon all:
We are pleased to announce that we have scheduled an additional Community Meeting to discuss the White Tank Grand
Avenue Area Plan update on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 in‐person at Morristown Elementary(25950 W Rockway
Hills Rd., Morristown, AZ 85342) from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Later this week we will be distributing an e‐mail blast to
area residents and have prepared outreach materials for social media. We would greatly appreciate if you share these
materials as you are able with your broader networks and the community so that we can encourage attendance of the
meeting.
The documents prepared for you to share include text/graphics for Facebook and Nextdoor posts. If you need any
technical assistance regarding sharing the information, I’ll make sure our consultant reaches out to you to walk you
through any posting processes if needed.
Thank you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or feedback you may have.
Best regards,
<image001.png>
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-506-3301
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
<Outreach Material for Facebook and Nextdoor.docx>
71
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 7:19 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Cc:
Michele Staples
Subject:
Re: Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Attachments:
Outreach Material for Facebook and Nextdoor.docx
I passed this along to the folks in Wittman and our 219th community in Surprise. I’ve asked them to pass it along the line
to reach out to our neighbors throughout the planning area.
‐Kimberly
On Sep 5, 2023, at 2:13 PM, Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good afternoon all:
We are pleased to announce that we have scheduled an additional Community Meeting to discuss the White Tank Grand
Avenue Area Plan update on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 in‐person at Morristown Elementary (25950 W Rockway
Hills Rd., Morristown, AZ 85342) from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Later this week we will be distributing an e‐mail blast to
area residents and have prepared outreach materials for social media. We would greatly appreciate if you share these
materials as you are able with your broader networks and the community so that we can encourage attendance of the
meeting.
The documents prepared for you to share include text/graphics for Facebook and Nextdoor posts. If you need any
technical assistance regarding sharing the information, I’ll make sure our consultant reaches out to you to walk you
through any posting processes if needed.
Thank you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or feedback you may have.
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-506-3301
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
72
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sadie McC <pam.schwartz30@gmail.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 2:09 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
RE: White Tank Plan
Hi, Adam,
Just following up on your share of my info. Mr. Murphy has contacted me and I have sent him what I know as
well as the web address to learn more. Thank you for facilitating the communication.
Pam
From: Adam Cannon (PND)
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2023 9:19 AM
To: Pam Schwartz
Subject: FW: White Tank Plan
Good morning Pam,
This person has asked to see if he can contact you about the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan. Would it be alright if I
share your e‐mail address with him?
Thanks,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Connor Murphy <rconnormurphy@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2023 9:15 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: White Tank Plan
Hello Adam Cannon:
I understand that Sun City has an official representative on the advisory board.
How can I contact that person?
73
I would like to find out more about the plan.
Best regards, Connor
623‐974‐9131
74
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 1:20 PM
To:
Kimberly Virostek
Cc:
KV@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com; McKayla Dunfey; Adam Cannon (PND); Madison
Macias; Sandra Hoffman; JOHN DIVITA; Terri Hogan
Subject:
RE: Virtual Community Meeting - White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
Attachments:
230824_WTGAP_CommunityMeetingRecap - Copy.pdf
Hi Kim,
I completely understand. I’ve attached the results summary for the SC meeting and will send the results for
Morristown.
We appreciate your review and comments thus far and will keep you posted when we have a public draft of the
document for you to review.
Thank you,
Terri
Terri S. Hogan, AICP
Senior Planner
Logan Simpson
51 W. 3rd St., Ste. 450
Tempe, AZ 85281
P 480-967-1343
C 623-208-0922
thogan@logansimpson.com
www.logansimpson.com
From: Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2023 11:35 AM
To: Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>
Cc: KV@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com; McKayla Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>; Adam Cannon (PND)
<adam.cannon@maricopa.gov>; Madison Macias <mmacias@logansimpson.com>; Sandra Hoffman
<shoffman@logansimpson.com>; JOHN DIVITA <bellavit2575@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Virtual Community Meeting ‐ White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
sophospsmartbannerend
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
75
Hi Terri
My husband is having major surgery that day so I will be unable to attend. If by chance his surgery is rescheduled I will
make every effort to attend.
We did complete our feedback process with the city of Surprise General plan and expect that can help guide similar
feedback with your efforts.
Do you have any materials to share from the Sun City meeting?
‐ Kimberly
On Sep 5, 2023, at 9:41 AM, Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com> wrote:
Sorry.. fat fingers.. meeting is on 9/27/23. স
হ
From: Terri Hogan
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2023 9:25 AM
To: Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Cc: KV@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com; McKayla Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>; Adam Cannon (PND)
<adam.cannon@maricopa.gov>; Madison Macias <mmacias@logansimpson.com>; Sandra Hoffman
<shoffman@logansimpson.com>; Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>
Subject: RE: Virtual Community Meeting ‐ White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
Hi Kimberly,
I just wanted to let you know that we were able to move this meeting to 5 to 630pm on 9/23/23 at Morristown
Elementary School.
Once we have the engagement materials ready, we will forward to you if you’d like so you can distribute them among
your circles.
Terri
Terri S. Hogan, AICP
76
Senior Planner
Logan Simpson
51 W. 3rd St., Ste. 450
Tempe, AZ 85281
P 480-967-1343
C 623-208-0922
thogan@logansimpson.com
www.logansimpson.com
From: Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 9:38 AM
To: Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>
Cc: KV@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com; McKayla Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>; Adam Cannon (PND)
<adam.cannon@maricopa.gov>; Madison Macias <mmacias@logansimpson.com>
Subject: Re: Virtual Community Meeting ‐ White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
Hi Terri Great! Thank you for scheduling that. Is there any chance you can push that to 6pm to allow for more attendance from that side of the community? I suspect you’ll get a larger turnout. I can p
sophospsmartbannerend
Hi Terri
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
77
Great! Thank you for scheduling that. Is there any chance you can push that to 6pm to allow for more attendance from
that side of the community? I suspect you’ll get a larger turnout. I can post on the groups’ pages that you have planned
the session.
Michelle and I would like to try to attend the Aug 24th mtg to get further informed before meeting with you. My
husbands surgery was postponed so I hopefully can make that meeting.
‐ Kimberly
On Aug 15, 2023, at 10:30 AM, Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com> wrote:
Hi Kim,
Just checking in about possible times for a virtual meeting. No pressure at all and we would also like you to know that
there is an in person meeting being planned for September 27, 2023 at 4:30pm at the Morristown Elementary
School. As develop marketing materials for this meeting we can forward you the details so you can distribute it in your
circles if you’d like.
Thank you,
Terri
Terri S. Hogan, AICP
Senior Planner
Logan Simpson
51 W. 3rd St., Ste. 450
Tempe, AZ 85281
P 480-967-1343
C 623-208-0922
78
thogan@logansimpson.com
www.logansimpson.com
<image001.png>
From: Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2023 2:48 PM
To: Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>
Cc: KV@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com; McKayla Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>; Adam Cannon (PND)
<adam.cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: Re: Virtual Community Meeting ‐ White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
I will get together with Michele and figure out a couple of dates that might work. My husband is getting ready to have major surgery next week so my availability this next month is going to be somewha
sophospsmartbannerend
I will get together with Michele and figure out a couple of dates that might work. My husband is getting ready to have
major surgery next week so my availability this next month is going to be somewhat limited, but if we can do something
virtual, that would be helpful.
‐ Kimberly
On Jul 27, 2023, at 11:55 AM, Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com> wrote:
Hi Kimberly and Michelle,
First off, thank you for attending the virtual community meeting on July 19th. We hope to see you in
person at the next community meeting on Thursday, August 24th at the Palm Ridge Recreation
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
79
Center, 13800 W Deer Valley Dr, Sun City West, AZ 85375. We are also trying to schedule a rural
community meeting in September and will keep you posted on that date and venue.
Adam forwarded us your email exchange below; we would love to schedule a virtual interview with
you in the next couple weeks to talk about your knowledge perspective for the area as well any input
you have for goals, policies, and actions related to the area plan update. If would, give us a few days
and times that work best for you in the next couple weeks, and we will send you an invite for an hour
discussion.
Thank you in advance!
Terri
Terri S. Hogan, AICP
Senior Planner
Logan Simpson
51 W. 3rd St., Ste. 450
Tempe, AZ 85281
P 480-967-1343
C 623-208-0922
thogan@logansimpson.com
www.logansimpson.com
<image002.png>
80
From: Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2023 9:47 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Cc: KV@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com; Rural Residents Surprise <ruralsurprise@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Virtual Community Meeting ‐ White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
Hi Adam
Thank you for reaching out. My primary concern is that feedback is being obtained from the rural residents who are
being affected by development, and reasonable concerns are then reflected in policies/goals/objectives towards
protecting their way of life through responsible and respectful development.
Michelle and I are rural Surprise residents who live near 219th/Sun Valley Pkwy. We have been working with the City of
Surprise for the last 2 years on rural concerns and protecting our way of life. Most recently we’ve been partnering on the
current GP update which includes a new Rural Residential Overlay character sub area, goals/policies intended to help
protect rural living, and a new zoning district under development ‐ Desert Rural ‐ which is more reflective of our way of
life than current zoning designations.
The GP is under 60 day review and our community workgroup is developing additional feedback so I do expect some
changes to what is posted currently.
Home | Surprise General Plan Update
surprisegpupdate.com
The linked image cannot be displayed.
The file may have been moved, renamed,
or deleted. Verify that the link points to
the correct file and location.
We’d like the County to consider similar efforts and we’d like to meet and chat more. It would be great if you could give
us a review of the land use and development status so we can get ourselves oriented on what the future already holds.
‐Kimberly
81
From: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2023 3:31 PM
To: kv@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com
Subject: Virtual Community Meeting ‐ White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
Good morning Kimberly and Michelle, My name is Adam Cannon and we met on the virtual meeting that took place on Wednesday. I am reaching out to you to get feedback about the meeting and a
sophospsmartbannerend
Good morning Kimberly and Michelle,
My name is Adam Cannon and we met on the virtual meeting that took place on Wednesday. I am reaching out to you
to get feedback about the meeting and about our early efforts on the plan.
We appreciated your feedback during the meeting and are still evaluating the most appropriate location for a future
meeting. I will let you know that we are looking at different venues that can accommodate various rural communities
for the third meeting. Once we have a date, time and location secured we will reach out to you and others with the
details.
As I explained at the end of the meeting, the first meeting is introductory. Our goal was to introduce folks to what an
area plan is and what it is not. As noted, the plan is made up of guidance/policy for decision makers and is not
regulatory.
Moreover, the plan reflects a consensus‐building effort and vision of the area with input provided from many residents,
business owners, employees, the development community and other stakeholders which is why your input is so
important. We welcome and encourage your participation throughout the planning process, as well as your feedback on
the draft plan as it takes shape. The more feedback we have from you and other stakeholders the better this plan will
be!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to provide input on the plan and we will be sure to include you in
the notifications and updates as we go along.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
82
Thank you!
<image003.png>
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-506-3301
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
83
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Pamela Schwartz <pam.schwartz30@gmail.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 10:08 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: FW: White Tank Plan
Attachments:
image001.png
Yes, I have no objections. Thank you for the heads‐up.
Pam S.
On Tue, Sep 5, 2023, 9:19 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good morning Pam,
This person has asked to see if he can contact you about the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan. Would it be alright if
I share your e‐mail address with him?
Thanks,
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
84
From: Connor Murphy <rconnormurphy@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2023 9:15 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: White Tank Plan
Hello Adam Cannon:
I understand that Sun City has an official representative on the advisory board.
How can I contact that person?
I would like to find out more about the plan.
Best regards, Connor
623‐974‐9131
85
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Connor Murphy <rconnormurphy@hotmail.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 9:15 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
White Tank Plan
Hello Adam Cannon:
I understand that Sun City has an official representative on the advisory board.
How can I contact that person?
I would like to find out more about the plan.
Best regards, Connor
623‐974‐9131
86
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
joeliberty@cox.net
Sent:
Saturday, September 2, 2023 11:53 AM
To:
'Terri Hogan'; Adam Cannon (PND)
Cc:
'McKayla Dunfey'; 'Madison Macias'
Subject:
Meeting Schedule
I agreed to send out information on upcoming meeting to the folks who subscribe to my newsletter, but I never
got any schedule information . . . when, where, who should attend, etc.
Get me that information in a format you want sent out and I‘ll do what I can.
Thanks,
Joseph D. (Joe) Liberty
Designated Broker / Owner
Liberty Southwest Realty, LLC
Phone: (602) 505-7675
E-Mail: JoeLiberty@cox.net
Whispering Ranch Information Site . . . www.WhisperingRanchAZ.com
87
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, August 29, 2023 8:05 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Groundwater ... NYTimes research
https://messaging‐custom‐
newsletters.nytimes.com/template/oakv2?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20230829&instance_id=101397&nl=the‐
morning&productCode=NN®i_id=60861246&segment_id=143146&te=1&uri=nyt%3A%2F%2Fnewsletter%2F0bacdbd
a‐dd65‐5dd4‐9102‐384de25add1c&user_id=95c7d34ed9cbc20a8b3f3fdb70fdb853
....The trends in this new database are alarming. Over the past 40 years, groundwater levels at most of the sites have
declined. At 11 percent of the sites, levels last year fell to their lowest level on record.
The U.S., in other words, is taking water out of the ground more quickly than nature is replenishing it. “There’s almost
no way to convey how important it is,” Don Cline, the associate director for water resources at the United States
Geological Survey, told The Times....
88
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Friday, August 25, 2023 9:37 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Cc:
Terri Hogan; McKayla Dunfey
Subject:
Re: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan Community Meeting is Tomorrow (8/24)!
Attachments:
image001.png
Thanks. The speaker yesterday said there was already a WT community mtg in Wickenburg. Or at least that is how I
understood her and the slide.
On Fri, Aug 25, 2023, 9:30 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Good morning Sheryl,
Thank you for your comments. We have tentatively scheduled a meeting at Morristown Elementary for the White Tank
Grand Avenue Area Plan for the end of September, but have not marketed it yet. You’ll be notified when we are ready
to advertise that meeting.
Regarding publishing ‐ An area plan update meeting is only required to have a published legal ad when a hearing is
taking place. Those hearings are anticipated for November and December and will receive a legal ad publishing at that
point. The meetings we are having right now are community meetings. For the community meetings we are doing
outreach via area e‐mails, press releases, facebook and nextdoor posts. Our Plan Advisory Committee members are
also receiving materials to distribute for facebook and nextdoor.
There is also a specific Town of Wickenburg General Plan update that is being overseen by Wickenburg. If you are
referring to that plan update, I would recommend contacting the town as that plan update is separate from the one we
are doing.
I’ve also copied Terri Hogan and McKayla Dunfey who you can reach out to for additional information about outreach
efforts.
Thank you and please feel free to contact us with any further questions.
Best regards,
89
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-372-0292
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2023 3:24 PM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: Re: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan Community Meeting is Tomorrow (8/24)!
Thanks for an informative meeting. Do you know when the Wickenburg meeting was held and how it was noticed? I
never saw it published. Thanks again.
On Wed, Aug 23, 2023 at 1:30 PM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Thank you for registering for the White Tank Grand Avenue Plan Community Meeting!
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning at the Palm Ridge Recreation Center from 10‐11:30 a.m. Staff will
provide an overview of the planning process followed by an open house event where everyone will have the chance to
share input and learn more about the plan update.
90
White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan Community Meeting
Date: Thursday, August 24, 2023
Time: 10‐11:30 a.m.
Location: Palm Ridge Recreation Center, 13800 W. Deer Valley Dr., Sun City West, AZ 85375
This event is free and open to the public. Feel free to pass along this registration link to your friends and family.
Learn more about the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan at: Maricopa.gov/WhiteTankGrandAve
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-506-3301
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
91
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, August 24, 2023 3:24 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan Community Meeting is Tomorrow (8/24)!
Thanks for an informative meeting. Do you know when the Wickenburg meeting was held and how it was noticed? I
never saw it published. Thanks again.
On Wed, Aug 23, 2023 at 1:30 PM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Thank you for registering for the White Tank Grand Avenue Plan Community Meeting!
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning at the Palm Ridge Recreation Center from 10‐11:30 a.m. Staff will
provide an overview of the planning process followed by an open house event where everyone will have the chance to
share input and learn more about the plan update.
White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan Community Meeting
Date: Thursday, August 24, 2023
Time: 10‐11:30 a.m.
Location: Palm Ridge Recreation Center, 13800 W. Deer Valley Dr., Sun City West, AZ 85375
This event is free and open to the public. Feel free to pass along this registration link to your friends and family.
Learn more about the White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan at: Maricopa.gov/WhiteTankGrandAve
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-506-3301
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
93
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
randy gross <ydnar144@msn.com>
Sent:
Thursday, August 24, 2023 2:28 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
White Tanks Grand Avenue Plan
Adam,
With the incredible growth and demand for industrial property in Surprise, I would like to call attention to a
part of Surprise that seems to be overlooked.
This is the area north of Happy Valley and west of 217th Avenue. This area is located in the Luke Aux I noise
overlay area. Currently there are no roads or infrastructure and no residential or any development in the
immediate vicinity.
There is a block of land totaling 192 acres (9 parcels) that are owned by only 6 owners. While this "greenfield"
property needs utilities for development, the complete lack of residential near this area and proximity to
highways (minutes to US 60 ) and rail give it great potential for heavy industrial, industrial, warehouse,
storage, solar etc. The Luke Aux 1 overlay/restrictions guarantee that any business that locates in this area will
not have to deal with future residential conflict. Business development would be protected by the isolated
location of this property. The Surprise general plan calls for "Employment."
My wife and I own 10 acres (503‐81‐‐005S and Q) in this block of 192 acres. All the 6 owners are investors
who have held the property for many years. This would be a great opportunity for a developer to master
plan/develop these 192 acres in conjunction with Surprise, Maricopa County and Luke AFB.
Please look at the Maricopa County assessor parcel and aerial maps of these contiguous properties: 503‐81‐
005C, T, S, Q, M, K and 503‐81‐001B, 2B and 3B. This will show both the isolation and industrial potential of
the property. These parcels are surrounded by State Trust Land and Federal land.
Please keep this area in mind as you develop the White Tanks Grand Avenue Plan. While at first glance the
Luke AFB‐1 overlay implies residential restrictions, it also connotes great potential for development
opportunities that otherwise could not be located in most areas of the Valley. I believe highlighting these
opportunities should be a part of the Plan that you are developing.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if any other information is needed or if you wish to discuss.
Sincerely,
Randy Gross
Tempe, AZ
ydnar144@msn.com
(480)695‐7566
94
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 6:03 PM
To:
Terri Hogan
Cc:
KV@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com; McKayla Dunfey; Adam Cannon (PND); Madison
Macias; Sandra Hoffman
Subject:
Re: Virtual Community Meeting - White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
Great! I’m sure the community will appreciate the accommodations.
‐Kimberly
On Aug 16, 2023, at 6:00 PM, Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com> wrote:
We will try Kim.. we’ve sent an email to the school to confirm and a spoke to Joe Liberty from Whispering Ranch today
and he is good with either time.
Don’t post anything at this point until we confirm the time and then we will send you some outreach materials to use if
you wish..
Thank you,
Terri
From: Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 9:38 AM
To: Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>
Cc: KV@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com; McKayla Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>; Adam Cannon (PND)
<adam.cannon@maricopa.gov>; Madison Macias <mmacias@logansimpson.com>
Subject: Re: Virtual Community Meeting ‐ White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
sophospsmartbannerend
Hi Terri
Great! Thank you for scheduling that. Is there any chance you can push that to 6pm to allow for more attendance from
that side of the community? I suspect you’ll get a larger turnout. I can post on the groups’ pages that you have planned
the session.
Michelle and I would like to try to attend the Aug 24th mtg to get further informed before meeting with you. My
husbands surgery was postponed so I hopefully can make that meeting.
‐ Kimberly
On Aug 15, 2023, at 10:30 AM, Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com> wrote:
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
95
Hi Kim,
Just checking in about possible times for a virtual meeting. No pressure at all and we would also like you to know that
there is an in person meeting being planned for September 27, 2023 at 4:30pm at the Morristown Elementary
School. As develop marketing materials for this meeting we can forward you the details so you can distribute it in your
circles if you’d like.
Thank you,
Terri
Terri S. Hogan, AICP
Senior Planner
Logan Simpson
51 W. 3rd St., Ste. 450
Tempe, AZ 85281
P 480-967-1343
C 623-208-0922
thogan@logansimpson.com
www.logansimpson.com
<image001.png>
96
From: Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2023 2:48 PM
To: Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com>
Cc: KV@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com; McKayla Dunfey <mdunfey@logansimpson.com>; Adam Cannon (PND)
<adam.cannon@maricopa.gov>
Subject: Re: Virtual Community Meeting ‐ White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
I will get together with Michele and figure out a couple of dates that might work. My husband is getting ready to have major surgery next week so my availability this next month is going to be somewha
sophospsmartbannerend
I will get together with Michele and figure out a couple of dates that might work. My husband is getting ready to have
major surgery next week so my availability this next month is going to be somewhat limited, but if we can do something
virtual, that would be helpful.
‐ Kimberly
On Jul 27, 2023, at 11:55 AM, Terri Hogan <thogan@logansimpson.com> wrote:
Hi Kimberly and Michelle,
First off, thank you for attending the virtual community meeting on July 19th. We hope to see you in
person at the next community meeting on Thursday, August 24th at the Palm Ridge Recreation
Center, 13800 W Deer Valley Dr, Sun City West, AZ 85375. We are also trying to schedule a rural
community meeting in September and will keep you posted on that date and venue.
Adam forwarded us your email exchange below; we would love to schedule a virtual interview with
you in the next couple weeks to talk about your knowledge perspective for the area as well any input
you have for goals, policies, and actions related to the area plan update. If would, give us a few days
and times that work best for you in the next couple weeks, and we will send you an invite for an hour
discussion.
Thank you in advance!
Terri
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
97
Terri S. Hogan, AICP
Senior Planner
Logan Simpson
51 W. 3rd St., Ste. 450
Tempe, AZ 85281
P 480-967-1343
C 623-208-0922
thogan@logansimpson.com
www.logansimpson.com
<image002.png>
From: Kimberly Virostek <kimberly@thevsticks.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2023 9:47 AM
To: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Cc: KV@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com; Rural Residents Surprise <ruralsurprise@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Virtual Community Meeting ‐ White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
Hi Adam
98
Thank you for reaching out. My primary concern is that feedback is being obtained from the rural residents who are
being affected by development, and reasonable concerns are then reflected in policies/goals/objectives towards
protecting their way of life through responsible and respectful development.
Michelle and I are rural Surprise residents who live near 219th/Sun Valley Pkwy. We have been working with the City of
Surprise for the last 2 years on rural concerns and protecting our way of life. Most recently we’ve been partnering on the
current GP update which includes a new Rural Residential Overlay character sub area, goals/policies intended to help
protect rural living, and a new zoning district under development ‐ Desert Rural ‐ which is more reflective of our way of
life than current zoning designations.
The GP is under 60 day review and our community workgroup is developing additional feedback so I do expect some
changes to what is posted currently.
Home | Surprise General Plan Update
surprisegpupdate.com
The linked image cannot be displayed.
The file may have been moved, renamed,
or deleted. Verify that the link points to
the correct file and location.
We’d like the County to consider similar efforts and we’d like to meet and chat more. It would be great if you could give
us a review of the land use and development status so we can get ourselves oriented on what the future already holds.
‐Kimberly
From: Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov>
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2023 3:31 PM
To: kv@thevsticks.com; onelstaples@gmail.com
Subject: Virtual Community Meeting ‐ White Tank/Grand Avenue Area Plan
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
99
sophospsmartbannerend
Good morning Kimberly and Michelle,
My name is Adam Cannon and we met on the virtual meeting that took place on Wednesday. I am reaching out to you
to get feedback about the meeting and about our early efforts on the plan.
We appreciated your feedback during the meeting and are still evaluating the most appropriate location for a future
meeting. I will let you know that we are looking at different venues that can accommodate various rural communities
for the third meeting. Once we have a date, time and location secured we will reach out to you and others with the
details.
As I explained at the end of the meeting, the first meeting is introductory. Our goal was to introduce folks to what an
area plan is and what it is not. As noted, the plan is made up of guidance/policy for decision makers and is not
regulatory.
Moreover, the plan reflects a consensus‐building effort and vision of the area with input provided from many residents,
business owners, employees, the development community and other stakeholders which is why your input is so
important. We welcome and encourage your participation throughout the planning process, as well as your feedback on
the draft plan as it takes shape. The more feedback we have from you and other stakeholders the better this plan will
be!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to provide input on the plan and we will be sure to include you in
the notifications and updates as we go along.
Thank you!
<image003.png>
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-506-3301
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
100
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101
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Larry Woods <lwoodsusa@gmail.com>
Sent:
Friday, August 4, 2023 1:06 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
WTGA Plan
Hi, Adam
If you are looking for any volunteer help to promote the White
Tank Grand Avenue project, I would be willing to help. I have
been involved with various civic organizations in the Sun City West
area for over 15 years; president of the Property Owners and
Residents Association (PORA), Sun City West, for six of those
years. I guess the point I want to make is that I know my way
around this area. I think I would get a vote of confidence from
Scott Isham or Clint Hickman, for that matter.
Let me know if I can help in any way.
Larry Woods
Sun City West
Office: 623-556-8949
Cell: 602-369-5049
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transmission.
103
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
joeliberty@cox.net
Sent:
Thursday, July 6, 2023 2:58 PM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Whispering Ranch info
Attachments:
Driving Directions.pdf; Easements & Map.pdf; I-11 labeled.pdf; Ranch Referrals.pdf; Research
Sites.pdf; W R Map.pdf; W R Roadways.pdf; West Valley.pdf; Whispering Ranch Information - May
2023
I’ve been working that area for 20 years. And assembling a lot of info on the area during that time.
It’s going to interesting to see how folks out there respond to this action. I know they want more infrastructure,
but don’t want the city to come out there.
Here’s some of the stuff I send to folks asking about the area.
Let me know if I can help.
Joseph D. (Joe) Liberty
Designated Broker / Owner
Liberty Southwest Realty, LLC
Phone: (602) 505-7675
E-Mail: JoeLiberty@cox.net
Whispering Ranch Information Site . . . www.WhisperingRanchAZ.com
104
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, June 29, 2023 6:00 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: Assured Water Supply Committee Meeting 6/27/2023
Attachments:
Pumping Groundwater Has Changed Earth’s Spin, Study Finds - The New York Times.pdf
Here is another tidbit I found in NYTimes.
On Wed, Jun 28, 2023 at 7:44 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Thank you Sheryl for this information on this issue. We will send this to our consultant to inform the existing conditions
of the area.
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-506-3301
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
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From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2023 5:08 AM
To: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Subject: Assured Water Supply Committee Meeting 6/27/2023
105
I listened to the Assured Water Supply Committee meeting .... very serious .... staff slides may be downloaded below ...
cllick on 'Presentation".
The issue of unmet demand is shown on slides 10‐11. Slide 12 is the meat and potatoes .... so be prepared to drink
effluent and/or pay for new water infrastructure to distill brackish water or desal ocean water.
https://azwater.gov/meetings/assured‐water‐supply‐committee‐meeting
About the committee ... https://new.azwater.gov/gwpc
Many thanks to Gov. Hobbs for bringing this issue to light.
106
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 7:46 AM
To:
Adam Cannon (PND)
Subject:
Re: Assured Water Supply Committee Meeting 6/27/2023
great. excellent meeting.
On Wed, Jun 28, 2023 at 7:44 AM Adam Cannon (PND) <Adam.Cannon@maricopa.gov> wrote:
Thank you Sheryl for this information on this issue. We will send this to our consultant to inform the existing conditions
of the area.
Best regards,
Adam Cannon, AICP
Senior Planner
Planning & Development
301 W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-506-3301
E: adam.cannon@maricopa.gov
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn
From: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2023 5:08 AM
To: Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Subject: Assured Water Supply Committee Meeting 6/27/2023
107
I listened to the Assured Water Supply Committee meeting .... very serious .... staff slides may be downloaded below ...
cllick on 'Presentation".
The issue of unmet demand is shown on slides 10‐11. Slide 12 is the meat and potatoes .... so be prepared to drink
effluent and/or pay for new water infrastructure to distill brackish water or desal ocean water.
https://azwater.gov/meetings/assured‐water‐supply‐committee‐meeting
About the committee ... https://new.azwater.gov/gwpc
Many thanks to Gov. Hobbs for bringing this issue to light.
108
Adam Cannon (PND)
From:
Sheryl Hamlin <sherylhamlin@gmail.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 5:08 AM
To:
Sheryl Hamlin
Subject:
Assured Water Supply Committee Meeting 6/27/2023
I listened to the Assured Water Supply Committee meeting .... very serious .... staff slides may be downloaded below ...
cllick on 'Presentation".
The issue of unmet demand is shown on slides 10‐11. Slide 12 is the meat and potatoes .... so be prepared to drink
effluent and/or pay for new water infrastructure to distill brackish water or desal ocean water.
https://azwater.gov/meetings/assured‐water‐supply‐committee‐meeting
About the committee ... https://new.azwater.gov/gwpc
Many thanks to Gov. Hobbs for bringing this issue to light.