CC - Agendas - City Council - REGULAR - 11/4/2008

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COUNCIL AGENDA MEMO - November 4, 2008 lEuPEr DEPARTMENT: Community Development- Planning AGENDA ITEM: GP08-004 Major General Plan Amendment -West Airport Area totaling 2600 acres. Owner: Deep Well Ranches, AZ State Land and Ty Myers. Agent: City of Prescott, 201 S. Cortez, Prescott, AZ 86302. Approved By: Date: Department Head: Tom Guice Finance Director: City Manager: Steve Norwood REQUEST: A major General Plan Land Use Map Amendment of approximately 2600 acres depicting likely future land uses. The General Plan must be updated for infrastructure analysis in preparation for possible future annexations. The subject area is west of the Prescott Airport Love Field and is currently designated in the General Plan as Agricultural/Ranching with some Commercial. The area borders the Prescott City Limits and annexation is possible. However, no current developments are proposed at this time, nor has the City received any applications for annexation and development. The City anticipates an annexation request at some point in the future based upon discussions with the property owners. BACKGROUND: Deep Well Ranches owns a large portion of this area. The current General Plan designation of Agricultural/Ranching was assigned at the request of Deep Well Ranches, which at the time, did not foresee annexation into the City. Indications are that the area will not be developed under the current County rural zoning designations of RCU-2A (Rural Residential 2 Acre), R1 L-70 (Single Family - 70,000 square feet) and R1 L-18 (Single Family - 18,000 square feet). Whenever county parcels are annexed into a municipality, similar zoning is required under state law. Staff believes that upon annexation, the owner/prospective developer of these properties will request rezoning. The proposed Amendment is part of an effort requested by Council and initiated by City Manger Steve Norwood "furthering the City's mission of smart growth as well as coordinating and implementing large scale annexations. There are several owners of large tracts of land wishing to become part of the City of Prescott. This growth is essential to the health and success of our community and our organization. Annexation is a lengthy, complicated process requiring extensive departmental and regional communication and cooperation." By amending the General Plan and establishing likely uses in this area, staff is able to perform planning and analysis of transportation and utilities infrastructure in preparation for possible future development within the City. CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATE GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION: A land use study of the subject area was performed by the Coe & Van Loo Company (CVL) in cooperation with Deep Well Ranches and the Arizona State Land Department (the second major landowner in the this area). Access to the site is provided by Ruger Road, Willow Creek Road, Pioneer Parkway, and Highway 89 which provide good regional connectivity. Public Works, Engineering Services and Community Development have reviewed the proximity of this area to major roadways to determine future connectivity and traffic patterns. Staff also reviewed 1