Public Hearing, Consideration and Possible Adoption of Ordinance No.  2016-38: A public hearing, consideration and adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, extending and increasing the corporate limits of the City pursuant to the provisions of Title 9, Chapter 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, by annexing approximately 112.90 acres of land located at 3425 West Route 66, which certain land is contiguous to the existing corporate limits of the City of Flagstaff, and establishing city zoning for said land as Rural Residential (RR); providing for severability, authority for clerical corrections, and establishing an effective date. (Timber Sky Annexation)

Timber Sky Annexation

An Annexation request of approximately 112.90 acres located at 3425 West Route 66. The property is identified as Coconino County Assessor’s Parcel Number 112-01-021 and includes adjacent right-of-way for West Route 66.

The Planning and Zoning Commission conducted public hearings to consider the annexation request.  The Commission voted (6-0) to forward the request with a recommendation of approval.

The proposed Timber Sky development includes substantial public infrastructure that will ultimately be maintained by the City including the provision of daily services to the residents of Timber Sky. In general, the cost of maintenance and services to an area can be based on the benefit theory of taxation. When residential property is taxed soundly, over a period of time, it tends to be revenue neutral. Residential development is an essential element of the entire economic picture for the City.

The proposed Timber Sky project will provide a series of infrastructure improvements provided entirely by the applicant as well as in conjunction with the City of Flagstaff. Improved roadways, upgraded and extended sewer lines and additional water resources infrastructure are required for the development of this site. Many of these resources will be dedicated to the City of Flagstaff for continued maintenance and operation.

COUNCIL GOALS:

• Ensure Flagstaff has a long-term water supply for current and future needs
• Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics
• Provide a well-managed transportation system
• Continue to implement the Flagstaff Regional Plan and focus efforts on specific plans

REGIONAL PLAN:
Policy LU.7.2.Require unincorporated properties to be annexed prior to the provision of City services, or that a pre-annexation agreement is executed when deemed appropriate.

Policy WR.4.3.Development requiring public utility services will be located within the Urban Growth Boundary.

None

The City Council may approve the ordinance as proposed, approve the ordinance with conditions, or deny the ordinance.

A request by Vintage Partners (VP 66 & Woody Mountain, LLC) to annex approximately 112.90 acres located south of West Route 66 and north of I-40 between Woody Mountain Road and Flagstaff Ranch Road. The property subject to the annexation is Assessor’s Parcel Number 112-01-021. The parcel is primarily vacant and was once part of the McAllister Ranch holdings. The site maintains significant forest, slope, and rock outcropping resources. The parcel is located within the Urban Growth Boundary as shown in the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 (FRP 2030).

The FRP 2030 designates this parcel as a mixture of Future Suburban and Future Employment area types. A portion of this parcel is also located within the pedestrian shed of a Suburban Activity Center located at the intersection of West Route 66 and Flagstaff Ranch Road. The Suburban area type allows a density range from two (2) to ten (10) residential units per acre with increased densities preferred within the pedestrian shed of six (6) residential units per acre or greater. The Employment area type is intended to provide for new manufacturing, research and development, flex space, industry incubators, professional office, and similar uses that range from high-intensity, mixed-use office centers, large business parks, warehouses, and distribution facilities to manufacturing and other heavy industrial areas. An Employment Center may include mixed-use; research and development offices; medical offices; office space; business park; retail, restaurant, and tourism center; light industrial; heavy-industrial; and live-work spaces.

This annexation is the first of a three-step process. The second being a Concept Zoning Map Amendment request to zone the subject parcel and the adjacent parcel to a combination of High Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, Single-family Residential, Commercial Services and Public Open Space for a 1,300 unit master planned community. The Concept Zoning Map Amendment application processed concurrently with this application will not become effective until after the annexation is completed. A full Concept Zoning Map Amendment policy analysis can be found in that staff report. The third part of this request is approval of a Preliminary Block Plat for the entire development site.

Annexations are adopted by the City Council via ordinance. Ordinance No. 2016-38 annexes 112.90 acres located at 3425 West Route 66 and the adjoining West Route 66 right-of-way into the City of Flagstaff. 

Community benefits and considerations related to this request are addressed in more detail in the attached Planning and Zoning Commission Staff Report, dated September 28, 2016. Annexing this property provides for extended development opportunities in western Flagstaff and provides necessary infrastructure improvements to support future development.

Inform/Consult
Public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council are conducted in conjunction with requests for annexation. In accordance with State statute, notice of the public hearing was provided by placing an ad in the Daily Sun, posting notices on the property, and mailing a notice to all property owners within 300 feet of the site. The notices were also provided to the County Recorder, County Assessor, County Community Development Department, and the Chair of the Board of Supervisors.

The applicant held two neighborhood meetings in regards to this case. The first meeting was Tuesday, December 8, 2015, between 6:00pm and 8:00pm, at the Kilted Cat. Twenty-nine individuals attend the first meeting. The second meeting was held Monday, January 11, 2016, also between 6:00pm and 8:00pm, at the Doubletree Hotel. Sixteen individuals attended this second meeting. Attendees had questions and concerns in regards to traffic and public safety, outdoor lighting impacts, impacts to wildlife, protection of forest resources and general project design. A citizen participation report was prepared in relation to the comments and concerns presented dated March 10, 2016 and is attached to the Concept Zoning Map Amendment report for review.

The Planning & Zoning Commission held public hearings on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 and October 12, 2016 at 4 pm.  At the first public hearing, three members of the public spoke on the subject cases.  Concerns were presented in relation to potential downstream stormwater impacts and traffic impacts.  At the second hearing, 11 member of the public spoke on the subject case. Nine of those that spoke were in favor of the project. Two presented concerns in relation to drainage and traffic.