Public Hearing and Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2021-58:  Carbon Neutrality Major Regional Plan Amendment

This application proposes a major amendment to the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030. The proposed amendment is within the Climate Change and Adaptation section of the Environmental Planning & Conservation Chapter (pages IV-11 and IV-12). The proposed changes to pages IV-11 and IV-12 include: 

• Changes to the narrative
• Revisions to goals E&C.2 and E&C.3 
• Revisions to policies E&C.2.1, E&C.2.2, E&C.3.2, and E&C4.1 
• Addition of three policies: E&C.2.3, E&C.3.5, and E&C.3.6

In addition to the text revisions on the Climate Change and Adaptation pages, this amendment also includes a wording revision to policy T.8.1, in the Transportation chapter (located on page X-19). This change is being made because of the compatibility review among the proposed revisions to the climate pages and the existing Regional Plan goals and policies. This revision will clarify the meaning of T.8.1 and align with how staff understands the meaning of the policy.

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 recommended approval (4-0) of the Major Plan amendment with the condition that the word "Attempt" be changed to "Commit" in Policy E&C 3.6 to strengthen the language.  The plan replacement pages attached reflect this recommendation.

Achieving the objective of a carbon-neutral community by 2030 will have both costs and benefits as outlined in the staff report. The cost of the plan amendment itself has been mainly staff time and application fees. 

Key Community Priorities

• Implement, maintain & further the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) with awareness of social inequities
• Foster community-wide clear & consistent communication strategies & products
• Promote environmental justice & the fair distribution of environmental benefits

Key Regional Plan Goals and Policies

• Goal E&C.3. Strengthen community and natural environment resiliency through climate adaptation efforts.
• Policy PF.1.1. Consider climate resiliency and preparedness in community planning and development to be better prepared for changing conditions.

The Flagstaff City Council declared a Climate Emergency on June 23, 2020.

The Planning and Zoning Commission accepted the recommendation of the Sustainability Commission on April 14, 2021 and initiated the major plan amendment to the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 in anticipation of the Carbon Neutrality Plan's adoption.

The Flagstaff City Council adopted the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan on June 15, 2021. 

The proposed text amendment will update the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030’s discussion of climate change and climate action to align with the City of Flagstaff’s climate action goals. The climate action work of the City has evolved rapidly since the 2014 adoption of the Regional Plan, creating a gap between the guidance provided in the Regional Plan and the City’s declared climate goals and the ambition of its climate actions. In June 2020, following the declaration of a climate emergency, the Flagstaff City Council adopted the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan.

The application has met all submittal and notification requirements and meets all the findings for a major plan amendment. The Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, recommended approval (4-0) of the major plan amendment.  A major plan amendment must have a two-thirds majority vote for approval and must be completed within the same calendar year as the application. This is the only major plan amendment under consideration for 2021.