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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