1. Implementation of Future Land Use categories with examples,
2. Creation of a Hospitality Overlay on the Future Growth Illustration, and
3. Updated appearance of "Planned Trails" on policy maps.

The Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045 is being revised to improve the feasibility and implementability of the 60-day public review draft.  Implementability of the plan influences both the costs and affordability of development in the Region and must reflect community values and priorities. Staff is seeking direction on key decision points before public hearings in order to ensure that the draft plan is ready to move forward on schedule. 

The Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045 is both a visionary and a living document that can serve the community and guide its future. It is also a practical document that must be implementable within the legal system and governmental resources available. It must be adaptable to macro-economic, financial, legislative, and social influences on development and government; reflect community values and priorities; and be realistic about constraints and uncertainties.  

The Regional Plan must be applied within a broad set of existing laws, regulations, and court decisions determining what is permissible in land use decision-making.  It cannot override any federal or state laws, or any constitutional limits on the authority of jurisdictions to exercise police powers, and it cannot be used in a manner inconsistent with common law in the state of Arizona. 

The Regional Plan is an opportunity to set a bold direction for the Region’s future. As such, it is written and structured to be incorporated broadly and flexibly. At the same time, the Regional Plan cannot:

• Change existing entitlements without further action.
• Commit City or County resources or preempt decisions of the current or future City Council and County Board of Supervisors.
• Compel a private property owner to develop a particular use or type of building.
• Influence applications that are already under review at the time of its ratification or adoption of a plan amendment

The City and County have been working together on updating the Flagstaff Regional Plan.  Though it is a shared policy document, it has different State and Code requirements for the City that determine how it is implemented.  The most common decisions made by the City using the Flagstaff Regional Plan are Zoning Map and Text Amendments and Annexations. Title 9 of the Arizona Revised Statutes and Title 10 of the Flagstaff City Code provide direction on how the City should make a finding of conformance with the General Plan. Proposals that cannot meet this finding must also propose an amendment to the Regional Plan as outlined in this chapter, Title 11 of the City Code.  Amendments may be classified as major or minor, which also introduces additional analysis and notification requirements. 

The City and County met at a joint retreat on May 2, and staff is incorporating the feedback on areas of the plan that were unclear. Staff received direction to work on updates to the Flagstaff Urban Trails System Map to differentiate between trails for which we have already acquired entitlements and those that the City has not yet acquired but plans to through purchase or dedication. 

Staff also has met with the owner of  Little America and is researching the potential to add a Hospitality Overlay to the Future Growth Illustration as proposed by the property owner at the May 2 Retreat. Flagstaff's Zoning Code allows the uses that might make up a resort such as a spa, golf course, retail, housing, and travel accommodations in a variety of ways.  However, the Code does not currently have a single zone or land use that would accommodate a resort similar to those seen in other municipalities within the State.  Introducing this concept into the plan would indicate a need to update the Zoning Code to implement the Regional Plan 2045.