Ward Davis of WBD Endeavors spoke about the upcoming City Council agenda item to trade the MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) building for other land and said it would be a mistake. He encouraged the city to keep the building. He noted that the city could pull cardboard from the collected recycling at the MRF, bale and sell it. Since half of the city’s recycling is cardboard, removing it right after collection results in a more valuable product and eliminates transporting bulky cardboard, saving money with heavier, denser loads. The cost of a new baler would be worthwhile since the recycling that is currently transported at 14 tons/load could be baled at 20 tons/load. The cost savings would be a quarter million dollars/year, as estimated by Evan Tyrell (formerly with Solid Waste). The facility could also be used for outreach for recycling and other activities, run by a group of volunteers.  

Ms. Dechter introduced the Regional Plan, saying it is for Flagstaff and the surrounding communities within the metro plan boundary. The plan is currently being reviewed by the public for 60 days, and the draft plan will be sent to voters for ratification next year.  

A series of community workshops, each with a different area of emphasis, are planned: November 13th (transportation), November 14th (Parks, Recreation, Open Space, Events), November 16th (Growth, Land Use, and Housing), and November 18th (Public Safety Infrastructure, and Water and Energy). There will be a Closing Webinar on December 4th and 21 hours of staff office hours to answer questions from small groups or individuals. 

Ms. Dechter noted that the draft is available online for review, and anyone may add comments to the plan, click on others’ comments and vote them up or down, or individuals may email Ms. Dechter to submit comments. The website is: flagstaff.az.gov/regionalplan2045 (click on the tab called “60 day public review”). 
 

She went through various future-planning scenarios, including the status quo and a preferred scenario, the latter of which was used for future growth illustration for the plan. With no code changes or rezoning, housing costs are projected to soar, and fewer workers would be able to live in the region. In the preferred scenario, with increases in density and working with land that is already developed, the opposite results are projected. As for sustainability, land use strategies can reduce transportation and building-generated emissions and contribute significantly to the goal of achieving carbon neutrality. 

Ms. Dechter explained that the plan promotes biking, walking, and transit infrastructure. In response to a question, she said that some employment-heavy areas (for example, certain industrial areas) are not suitable for transit, whereas universities and research districts are more likely to get transit. She also mentioned the city and county's goals are divergent in several areas, given the differences in land use and resource management. Therefore, the new plan will have split goals. 

She credited Sonia London Hall with collecting community-provided art throughout the Plan (funded by Beautification and Public Arts) and Olivia Tiggs with the cover art.

Ms. Pearthree provided an overview of staff comments and guidance for Commissioners reviewing the Regional Plan. She requested feedback on how to support the City in meeting Climate Neutrality Plan goals and whether new goals/policies/action items need to be added or removed. Staff want to strengthen climate action in the Regional Plan, using the approach of stating goals once and really meaning them, rather than emphasizing goals with repetition throughout chapters.  

Director Antonopoulos clarified that the Commission will provide a formal response, but Commissioners have the opportunity to make comments as independent citizens as well. She said there is more to climate action than what the Regional Plan can address (land use), which is why we also have the Climate Neutrality Plan. 

Once the City Council approves the plan, it will go to the ballot for the City of Flagstaff. Once ratified by voters, it supersedes the 2030 plan.

Commissioner Carlson, Vice Chair Metzger, and Commissioner Born volunteered to form a Working Group to review a synthesis of Commissioner comments on the Regional Plan and draft a letter to the City Council with Sustainability Commission recommendations. 

Following discussion, Chair Wolkowinsky made a motion for the Working Group to bring a draft letter to a special abbreviated Dec 12th Commission meeting, to be held from 4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. Commissioner Lammie seconded the motion, and five members said “aye.” Motion passed.

Chair Wolkowinsky declared that she is stepping down from the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Committee to select winning plans, so an opening is available. Details are forthcoming in an email from Ms. Hatton Tenny.