Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No.  2019-15: Adoption of Coconino Joint Land Use Study

The Flagstaff City Council is asked to consider adoption of the Coconino Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) by resolution.  The study was led by Coconino County with the City of Flagstaff in a supporting role.  The study includes policies and recommendations for managing impacts and uses around the Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station and Camp Navajo.   The study was adopted by the JLUS Policy Committee on January 30, 2019.  The final version of the JLUS is found here: https://www.coconinojlus.com/

Full implementation of the recommended actions will require staff and financial commitments.  As part of the coordination and notification strategies, project partners have been added to our interested parties list and distribution of the Inter-Division Staff (IDS) meeting.  These materials provide notification of development projects as they are submitted and of public hearings on land use applications.  These types of activities do not have a financial impact.   

The FY 2020 City of Flagstaff budget includes a recommendation to fund a 0.5 full-time equivalent Code Compliance Lighting Specialist position.  The strategy is to share a position with Coconino County or to seek third-party funds.  Initially, the City may choose to program the lighting specialist responsibilities into the existing Code Compliance Officer II position, and hire a half time generalist.  This allows us to develop the desired expertise and management within an existing full-time position.  This strategy does have a financial impact.

The proposed lighting committee can be staffed by the Lighting Specialist and Zoning Code Manager.  Code amendments have been drafted by a local dark sky advocate and are being reviewed by our Zoning Code Manager.  Planning of activity centers near the NOFS can be programmed into the Comprehensive Planning program.  These strategies should have a minimal financial impact.

Recommended strategies begin on page 78 of the JLUS.  They are organized into six categories: Coordination, Plan Updates & Policies, Code Updates & Enforcement, Land Conservation, Forest Management and Education.

Dark Skies 
Goal E&C.5. Preserve dark skies as an unspoiled natural resource, basis for an important economic sector, and core element of community character.
5.4. Encourage uses within Lighting Zone 1 of the lighting codes of the City and County that do not require outdoor lighting, and discourage those which require all-night lighting.

Growth Areas and Land
Goal LU.1. Invest in existing neighborhoods and activity centers for the purpose of developing complete, and connected places.
Policy E&C.Policy LU.1.11. Ensure that there is collaboration between a developer, residents, and property owners in existing neighborhoods where redevelopment and reinvestment are proposed so that they are included, engaged, and informed.

The JLUS includes a strategy to incorporate the JLUS into our Regional Plan:

10. Adopt the JLUS as a comprehensive plan amendment; support existing and adopt new goals and policies within the plans to best protect the missions of Camp Navajo and NOFS in the county's and city's comprehensive plan updates.

The Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 will complete a major community update by 2014, 10 years after initial adoption.  Staff anticipates beginning public participation in 2022.

The City Council appointed Mayor Coral Evans and Councilmember Celia Barotz to serve on the JLUS Policy Committee.  Councilmember Barotz was appointed a Co-Chair of the Policy Committee along with Supervisor Matt Ryan.  After the new City Council was seated, Councilmembers Jim McCarthy and Jaime Whelan were appointed for the final Policy Committee meeting in January 2019.

Staff recommends adoption of the Joint Land Use Study by resolution.  The plan includes a near term action to adopt the JLUS as a comprehensive plan amendment.  Staff has discussed integrating the strategies and actions into the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 during the next update.  New goals and policies can be drafted which reflect the strategies and actions identified in the JLUS.  Alternatively, the JLUS can be considered as a specific plan.  Comprehensive planning could take the document through the adoption process.  Adoption of specific plans are considered minor plan amendments.  However, for now, the first step is adoption by resolution.

A Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) is a cooperative land use planning effort between local governments and military installations. It seeks to ensure the lasting compatibility of military installations and their neighboring communities. A JLUS creates a policy framework and recommends strategies that support a healthy economy, environment, and community while safeguarding the military’s mission.

This JLUS is focused around Army National Guard Camp Navajo (Camp Navajo), Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station (NOFS) and its neighbors. The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), with contributions from Coconino County and participating municipalities, funded this study.

The recommended strategies are consistent with the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 and goals of the City Council.  Staff has no concerns with the adoption of the JLUS.

None.

Joint land use studies seek to accomplish three main objectives:

• Establish an ongoing framework for cooperative planning between project stakeholders. These include military installations, local government, state agencies, tribal nations, and surrounding communities.

• Recommend strategies to encourage compatible development around military installations. JLUSes encourage cooperative land use planning between military installations and the surrounding communities to ensure community growth and development are compatible with military training and operations.

• Recommend approaches to reduce impact on neighbors and area development. JLUSes seek ways to reduce the military’s impact on their neighbors and support community goals for a healthy economy, environment, and quality of life.

A summary of the community engagement for the project is found on page 7 of the JLUS.  The project had a 24-member policy committee which represented a range of key stakeholders and decision makers including elected officials, senior military officials, tribal government leaders, surrounding business and property owners and other key participants.  The project Technical Committee included staff from local jurisdictions and agencies, military personnel and key stakeholders.  The project consultant completed 40 stakeholder interviews seeking input and community concerns.  There were three community workshops held in Bellmont, Flagstaff City Hall and the Board of Supervisors chambers.  Approximately 80 residents attended the open houses.  Outreach also included a tour of Camp Navajo, land use stakeholder session, elected official briefings and media outreach.