Public Hearing and Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2015-35: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona adopting the La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Specific Plan as a Minor Plan Amendment to the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 and establishing an effective date.

The intent of the La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Specific Plan is to provide a clear and comprehensive guide for compatible reinvestment that preserves and enhances the neighborhood character. Staff has worked closely with the neighborhood association, residents and property owners to find solutions to the challenges posed by regional transportation demands, entitlements in the Highway Commercial zone, and preservation of historic homes, affordable housing and neighborhood character. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend approval with conditions of the Specific Plan to the City Council on September 23, 2015.

Appendix 1 of the La Plaza Vieja neighborhood Specific Plan lists estimates for the cost of the highest priority implementation strategies (those that could be accomplished in the next 3-5 years). Some portion of the cost listed below will be covered by grants and the existing program of work. Adoption of the specific plan does not obligate city funds.
Category and Approximate Costs
Neighborhood Character -  Not estimated, because most work could be completed as part of the City and LPVNA’s existing program of work.
Parks -  $55,000-85,000 for Old Town Springs and Plaza Vieja Park improvements
Historic Preservation - $45,000 for a historic properties inventory plus $3,000-$15,000 for each individual landmark designation and preservation effort
Transportation -  $3.2-$3.5 million ($2.4 million is for the Florence-Walnut Underpass Project which is funded in the FY15-16 Capital Improvement Plan)
 

 

COUNCIL GOALS:
7) Address key issues and processes related to the implementation of the Regional Plan
8) Improve effectiveness of notification, communication, and engagement with residents, neighborhoods and businesses and about City services, programs, policies, projects and developments

REGIONAL PLAN:
Goal LU.4. Balance housing and employment land uses with the preservation and protection of our unique natural and cultural setting.
Goal LU.10. Increase the proportion of urban neighborhoods to achieve walkable, compact growth.
Goal NH.1. Foster and maintain healthy and diverse urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods in the Flagstaff region.
Goal T.4. Promote transportation infrastructure and services that enhance the quality of life of the communities within the region.

There has not been a previous Council decision on this Specific Plan.

The Planning and Zoning Commission placed one condition on the approval of the Specific Plan, based on feedback from a commercial property owner about the division of the planning area into Neighborhood Policy Areas. These policy areas are based on the Regional Plan framework of Commercial Core-Pedestrian shed-Neighborhood place types (p. 26-27). The Commission recommended modification of the boundary line between the Transition Area and Commercial Edge policy areas, and any modifications to policies necessary to support a new boundary. Planning and Development Services staff met with the property owner and the La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Association on October 1, 2015, and agreed on changes shown in the attached replacement pages with changes highlighted.

Council may choose to adopt :

1) The La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Plan, as presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on September 23, 2015 (attachment 1) or
2) the La Plaza, Vieja Neighborhood Plan with proposed replacement pages (attachment 2).

The La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Specific Plan (Specific Plan) is the first specific plan proposed since the 2005 Lone Tree Corridor Study was completed, and the first since the adoption of the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 (FRP30). Work on the Plan began in 2008, and paused in 2012 to allow FRP30 work to be completed. In July 2014, the La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Association petitioned the City Council to pick up work on their neighborhood plan and bring it forward for adoption as soon as possible.

A key consideration in the decision to adopt the Specific Plan is whether or not the document presented will help the City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission and staff make better decisions about land use and transportation issues in the planning area than if they were using the Flagstaff Regional Plan alone. Specific plans, like the Regional Plan are aspirational documents that do not alter existing property rights or entitlements.  Their purpose is to help ensure consistent and thoughtful public policy, financial and land use decisions in the future.

Neighborhood residents, property owners and all of Flagstaff would benefit from the improved housing, connectivity, and the preservation of historic and cultural resources in the neighborhood. La Plaza Vieja’s vision would enhance growth and development of the area by: maintaining the architectural language of the existing buildings and environment; preserving a number of historical buildings; infilling vacant lots with appropriate buildings; honoring significant historical places, names and persons; enhancing the community’s culture by promoting a diverse population, housing choices, and community gathering space for children and adults; promoting local economic growth that nurtures local businesses and employs neighborhood residents; and provides safe and beautiful streets for pedestrians, bicycles and cars within the neighborhood and connecting to adjacent neighborhoods.

Development of the La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Specific Plan incorporates all levels of public participation:
INFORM- the public notification and advertising for the project was extensive and included phone calls and door-to-door visits by the neighborhood association and City staff.
CONSULT- the City held a 60 day public review to gather feedback on the draft of the plan before public hearings began.
INVOLVE-  Public concerns were carefully tracked and their consideration is included in the Public Participation Report to ensure transparency.
COLLABORATE- members of the public and residents and property owners in the neighborhood were involved in directly drafting and finalizing goals and policies in the Specific Plan through workshops, meetings and public hearings.
EMPOWER- the La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Association is empowered to pursue grants and partnership that facilitate the implementation of the Specific Plan once it is adopted.