Strategic Framework 2021-2023

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2021-05-13)

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Strategic Framework 
2021-2023

Message from  
Mayor Kevin Hartke
Council’s vision is for 
Chandler to be a world-
class City that provides 
an exceptional quality 
of life.
Through this 
commitment to 
our residents and 
businesses, five areas 
of focus emerged 
that drive Council’s strategic planning process 
and objectives as we prepare for the future - 
economic vitality, innovation and technology, 
mobility, neighborhoods and quality of life.
This framework is built on a foundation that 
celebrates Chandler’s history and diversity 
to guide Council as we make decisions. City 
leadership is dedicated to ensuring a high 
quality of life, diverse job opportunities and safe 
neighborhoods that our residents value and 
have come to expect. Through public and private 
partnerships, participation at the state and 
national levels and constant civic engagement, 
we will continue to invest in the necessary 
improvements and changes as a community of 
innovation. 
This is an exciting time to serve as Mayor and 
Councilmembers to lead the community forward 
with this vision and plan. I look forward to laying 
the groundwork from which future Councils can 
lead.
Sincerely,
Mayor Kevin Hartke
Back row
Councilmember Matt Orlando, Vice Mayor Mark Stewart,  
Councilmember OD Harris, Councilmember Terry Roe
Front row
Councilmember René Lopez, Mayor Kevin Hartke,  
Councilmember Christine Ellis

Our Vision
We are a world-class City that provides an 
exceptional quality of life.
Our Brand
A safe, diverse, equitable and inclusive 
community that connects people, chooses 
innovation and inspires excellence.
Our Goals 
City Council Strategic Policy Goals
1	 Being the most connected City
2	 Being a leader in trust and transparency
3	 Maintaining fiscal sustainability
4	 Attracting a range of private sector 
businesses
5	 Fostering a contemporary culture that 
embraces unity
6	 Being safe and beautiful

Chandler has been an innovative community 
shaped by entrepreneurs and hometown 
traditions since being founded by Dr. A.J. 
Chandler as one of Arizona’s first master-
planned communities in 1912. A legacy of 
Chandler families and business enterprises has 
established a foundation for our community to 
build upon. Their commitment to the pursuit of 
opportunity and advancement of the community 
combined with decades of thoughtful, consistent 
planning and investments have transformed 
Chandler into the Community of Innovation we 
know today. 
Chandler is one of the strongest economic 
centers in Arizona and the southwestern United 
States, with the talent, resources and business 
environment for companies to invest and grow. 
The presence of global companies across diverse 
industries draws entrepreneurs and innovators 
and their families from around the world, 
bringing rich cultural diversity and experiences 
celebrated in Chandler. 
AAA
AAA bond rating from 
all three rating agencies 
-  one of about 40 cities 
in the nation
Excellence in financial 
reporting and budgeting for 
more than 30 consecutive 
years
Five-time internationally 
accredited fire agency 
with an ISO class 1 
rating
Internationally accredited police 
agency continuously since 1996 with 
forensic services lab recognized 
among the best in the world

Chandler’s quality of life is consistently recognized 
nationally among the safest and most prosperous 
communities and best places to find a job, 
buy a home, rent and raise a family. Residents 
experience safe, inviting neighborhoods, excellent 
schools, abundant recreation and distinct 
entertainment, dining and shopping.
The City Council’s Strategic Framework is rooted 
in community ideals and input gathered over 
the years. The focus areas outlined in the pages 
that follow detail a roadmap of priorities to guide 
decisions and investments to further the direction 
of our community in the near term and beyond.
Playful City USA and Tree 
City USA designations with 
parks in every square mile 
of residential development
Five-time nationally accredited 
public works and utilities 
department with innovative 
water management and 
allocation policies
The award-winning Price 
Corridor hosts 45,000 jobs 
and is the largest of our 
five distinct employment 
corridors.
Autonomous Vehicle Capital of 
the World - first city in the world 
to adopt a zoning code for 
autonomous vehicles

Focus Areas
The Chandler City Council has identified five focus areas to concentrate on for the next few years 
to make progress toward their vision for the community. These focus areas shown here are further 
detailed in the pages that follow.
Economic Vitality
Mobility
Neighborhoods
Quality of Life
Innovation and  
Technology

Strategic economic development 
with:
•	 Preservation of employment corridors and 
planned uses to serve as economic engines and 
create high-quality jobs
•	 Development of the Chandler Airpark into a 
business center served by a modern airport
•	 Targeted efforts that repurpose vacant retail 
spaces into mixed-use projects that support 
vitality of surrounding neighborhoods
•	 Unique amenities, events and experiences that 
attract people to Chandler
•	 A deliberate, calculated approach to infill, 
redevelopment and annexation
•	 Partnerships with higher education, workforce 
development and entrepreneurship programs to 
create a talent pipeline for employers
Economic vitality includes the use of creative 
policies and marketing efforts to ensure 
Chandler remains a world-class community 
for residents, visitors and businesses. These 
approaches will maintain the viability of 
employment corridors and plan for the use of 
remaining unbuilt properties. Chandler offers 
a supportive environment for global industry 
leaders, exciting startups and entrepreneurs 
through every stage of business development. 
Our business climate, talented workforce and 
lifestyle make Chandler a destination of choice.
Economic Vitality

Chandler’s high-tech industries and talented 
workforce drive the local economy and create 
future opportunities. The City recognizes the 
importance of providing solid infrastructure and 
streamlined government services to support 
the implementation of current and future 
technologies. Pursuit of sustainable and smart-
city initiatives advance our efforts to meet the 
unique needs of the community.
Embracing global technology that 
offers enhanced opportunities for  
citizens and businesses through:
•	 Smart, sustainable solutions that empower, 
engage and improve quality of life for 
residents, visitors and businesses
•	 Piloting innovative ideas to promote efficiency, 
productivity and connectivity 
•	 Leveraging partnerships and alternative 
funding sources
•	 Marketing Chandler as a global destination for 
cutting-edge technologies and innovation
•	 Investing in infrastructure to drive future 
technological advancements
Innovation and Technology

Mobility — the ability to go places — has been 
essential to Chandler’s success. Served by three 
major highways, a well-planned arterial street 
network, public transit and a growing airport, 
the foundation has been laid for Chandler to 
expand its multi-modal transportation offerings 
and further integrate new technologies to 
efficiently get people where they want to go. 
Mobility includes bicycling, autonomous vehicles, 
new transit modes, business aviation, traffic 
technologies and safety enhancements.
Forward-thinking transportation 
networks with:
•	 Multiple, integrated options to access 
Chandler’s employment corridors 
•	 Convenient connections to the greater East 
Valley region
•	 High-tech, multi-modal transit options for 
residents and visitors
•	 Safe, attractive and well-managed roadways 
and traffic systems
•	 Open spaces and multi-use paths connecting 
developments and neighborhoods
•	 Regional resources that maximize Chandler’s 
ability to finance transportation projects
Mobility

Chandler boasts a mixture of modern 
homeowner associations, mature traditional 
neighborhoods, apartments, condominiums 
and other housing types. To sustain an 
exceptional quality of life for Chandler residents 
and keep Chandler safe, clean and beautiful, 
the preservation and enhancement of 
neighborhoods is paramount.  
Just as Chandler’s housing options are varied, 
so are the approaches to ensure that all 
neighborhoods remain safe and vibrant. 
Partnerships with stakeholders including 
engaged residents, developers and community 
agencies provide opportunities to achieve this 
goal while maintaining each neighborhood’s 
distinct character.
Unique and vibrant neighborhoods 
with:
•	 Services and amenities that build a community 
aligned with the needs of people in the 
surrounding area 
•	 A holistic approach to neighborhood 
improvement through coordination with 
City departments, non-profits, business 
partners, faith agencies and community 
members
•	 Innovative programs that provide quality 
housing options for residents’ diverse needs 
•	 Well-maintained and enhanced infrastructure 
that promotes aesthetics, safety and 
community vitality
Neighborhoods

Chandler’s commitment to high standards has 
spanned generations of City leadership and 
resulted in the safe and beautiful community 
residents and businesses enjoy today. Public 
safety is essential to our community’s quality of 
life. First responders protect, serve and respond 
to the needs of the community. Maintaining an 
unparalleled quality of life includes a renewed 
focus on arts, culture and recreation. High quality 
development and amenities shape the character 
of our neighborhoods and business centers. 
Providing a safe community and an 
exceptional quality of life through:
•	 Public safety personnel, technology and 
training that foster supportive relationships 
•	 High standards incorporating innovative 
architecture, art and landscaping elements
•	 Parks and open spaces with amenities catering 
to the demographics of the area
•	 Public spaces that are usable year-round and 
eliminate blight
•	 Activities and entertainment that capitalize 
on Chandler’s culture, unique history and 
captivating arts and music scene
•	 Use of creative partnerships to provide 
recreational and cultural opportunities
Quality of Life

Digital copy available at: 
ChandlerAZ.gov/StrategicFramework
Chandler’s Firsts - timeline of innovations
Plans for the town of 
Chandler are drawn up
Arizona’s first grass 
golf course opens at 
San Marcos Hotel
Chandler High School 
opens 
Rogers Corporation 
becomes Chandler’s 
first hi-tech business
First Bashas’ grocery store opens in 
today’s Ocotillo neighborhood
Chandler’s first 
Tumbleweed Tree 
Chandler’s first 
Ostrich Festival
Rogers Corporation moves its global 
headquarters to Chandler
1911
1914
1921
1967
1932
1957
1989
2017
San Marcos Hotel 
opens
Chandler’s first 
airport dedicated 
Intel opens its first 
Chandler plant 
Chandler Multicultural Festival is 
established by the Friends of the 
Chandler Public Library
Intel announces a $20 billion expansion 
of semiconductor manufacturing 
operations at its Ocotillo campus
Waymo brings its 
autonomous vehicles to 
Chandler
Chandler Community 
Hospital opens
Frank Lloyd Wright 
brings architecture 
school to Chandler for 
its first winter in Arizona 
Serrano’s opens a clothing store and 
would become Chandler’s oldest 
continually run family-owned business
1913
1928
1980
1995
2021
2016
1961
1935
1919
Chandler celebrates 
its centennial
2012