Public Hearing, Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2016-10:  A resolution amending the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 to change the area type designation on Maps 21 and 22 from Area in White area type to Park/Open Space area type for approximately 26.03 acres located at the northeast corner of Fir Avenue and North San Francisco Street. (Buffalo Park West Minor Regional Plan Amendment)

A minor Regional Plan amendment request to change the area type designation on Maps 21 and 22 from Area in White to Park/Open Space for approximately 26.03 acres located at the northeast corner of Fir Avenue and North San Francisco Street.

None

COUNCIL GOALS:

1) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics
2) Continue to implement the Flagstaff Regional Plan and focus efforts on specific plans

REGIONAL PLAN:
Goal E&C.6. Protect, restore, and improve ecosystem health and maintain native plant and animal community diversity across all land ownership in the Flagstaff region.
Goal E&C.10. Protect indigenous wildlife populations, localized and larger scale wildlife habitats, ecosystem processes, and wildlife movement areas throughout the planning area.
Goal OS.1. The region has a system of open lands, such as undeveloped natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, trails, access to public lands, and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health.
Goal WR.6. Protect, preserve, and improve the quality of surface water, groundwater, and reclaimed water in the region.
Goal REC.1. Maintain and grow the region’s healthy system of convenient and accessible parks, recreation facilities, and trails.

This proposed amendment would enact a prior dedication set forth in City of Flagstaff Ordinance No. 2014-23. The dedication states: “The portion of real property owned by the City of Flagstaff…is hereby set aside, preserved, and dedicated to the public for passive park purposes to be included in the immediately adjacent Buffalo Park.” The rezoning of the property “to the zoning best reflective of the dedication of the property as a public park” was identified as a secondary enactment of the Ordinance.

The Public Hearing on this and other ordinances was open at the March 22, 2016, Regular Meeting and due to time constraints was postponed to this meeting.

Options and Alternatives:
1) Approve the resolution as proposed
2) Approve the resolution with conditions
3) Deny the resolution

The applicant, City of Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Department, is requesting a minor Regional Plan Amendment to ensure conformance with a proposed Zoning Map Amendment to formally designate city owned property with the Public Open Space (POS) zone. Changing the subject property from Area in White to Park/Open Space will affect approximately 26.03 acres of land depicted on the Future Growth Illustration (Maps 21 and 22). The amendment table on page III-9 of the Plan states that a minor Plan amendment is appropriate for the designation of any land for conservation. As mentioned previously in this report, the primary purpose of this rezoning is to enact a prior dedication as stated in City of Flagstaff Ordinance No. 2014-23. 
 
The subject property is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Fir Avenue and San Francisco Street. San Francisco Street is privately held in this area, and splits the subject property in two. Two privately held parcels are located in between both parts of the subject property. Neither the private street nor the private parcels are part of this minor Plan amendment.
 
Access to the property and the adjoining Buffalo Park from San Francisco Street will be determined by the Parks Department at a later date. There are existing unofficial trails across the parcel connecting to Buffalo Park. A future Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) trail is proposed on Map 26: Flagstaff Urban Trail System, and will make connections to the existing Switzer Canyon and Cedar Trails. The site has abundant slope, forest, and floodplain resources. There is a prominent slope up to the northeast corner of the site. Portions of the site are located in the Switzer Canyon Wash. The Park/Open Space area type category is most appropriate given the numerous resources onsite This amendment to the Future Growth Illustration will clearly reflect this expansion of designated open space.

The Planning and Zoning Commission and Council shall find that the proposed Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 (FRP30 or the Plan) amendment meets the requirements of the General Plan and Subdivision Code (City Code Title 11). In considering the request for an amendment to the Plan, the goals and policies in the Plan should be considered to ensure that the requested change to the Future Growth Illustration is in conformance to the overall vision of the Plan. “The Flagstaff Regional Plan establishes the vision for the future growth and development of Flagstaff and its surrounding area through goals and policies” (p. III-4). “General plans are not static documents; they recognize growth as a dynamic process, which may require revisions to the plan as circumstances or changes warrant” (p. III-1).

As discussed in the “How This Plan Works” chapter (page III-4), the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 is used in the regulatory decision-making process by the Planning & Zoning Commission, City Council and city staff.  The Commission and the Council are responsible for making development decisions such as zoning map amendments or annexations, approval which depends on whether the proposed changes or projects are consistent with the Plan’s goals and policies.  The Future Growth Illustration on Maps 21 (regional scale) and 22 (city scale) and the text of the Plan will provide supplemental information for the interpretation of goals and policies. In case of any conflict between the Future Growth Illustration and the Plan’s goals and policies, the goals and policies will prevail. The Future Growth Illustration displays broad land use categories, called “area types,” which describe the placemaking context of Urban, Suburban, Rural, Special Planning Area, Park/Open Space, or in some cases, Area in White. Within these Areas in White existing entitlements are retained and have no other assigned area type. In most cases, these parcels are public lands held by the Forest Service or City. With this request the “Area in White” will, if approved, be assigned the Park/Open Space area type.

None
 

Community benefits and considerations related to this minor Regional Plan amendment request are addressed in the attached Planning and Zoning Commission staff report dated February 19, 2016.

Public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council are conducted in conjunction with the Zoning Map amendment request. In accordance with Arizona Revised Statute and Section 10-20.30.080 (p. 20.30-9) of the Zoning Code, notice of the public hearings was provided by placing an ad in the Daily Sun, posting notices on the property, and mailing a notice to all property owners within 600 feet of the subject property. The mailing asked residents and property owners to attend the October 19, 2015 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting as a venue for discussion. The Commission did not meet quorum for their advertised meeting, but a public meeting for the rezoning was still held with the applicant and other city staff present. One member of the public attended the meeting to receive clarification on the Zoning Map Amendment for this property. There were no email inquiries about this Plan amendment.

None