Chair Jacqueline Thomas motioned to call the meeting to order at 4:04 PM.

Chair Thomas read the land acknowledgement.

Commissioner Fox motioned to approve the June and July Open Spaces Commission Minutes. Commissioner White seconded the motion. All board members approved.

Commissioner Fox motioned to approve the June and July Open Spaces Commission Minutes. Commissioner White seconded the motion. All board members approved.

Chair Thomas read the Open Call to the Public statement. No public comments were received.

Robert Wallace began the review of the Regional Land Use Plan draft by introducing commissioners to City of Flagstaff, Neighborhood Planning Manager, Sarah Dechter who is the project lead and would be providing commissioners with feedback and comments on their suggestions for modifications to the Regional Land Use Plan. Sarah stressed the importance of sending in comments on the draft Regional Land Use Plan in a timely manner and to the correct email (RegionalPlan45Comments@flagstaffaz.gov). She also noted that with this draft of the Regional Land Use Plan, they have been working with over 2000 public comments and over 800 internal staff comments.

Chair Thomas began the Commission's presentation of their comments on the Regional Plan. The Commission went through each question and comment that they had identified, condensed to 14 points for revision consideration. Revision topics are listed below.

1. Balancing "core priorities" directive so that Open Space is not de-prioritized in project decisions.
2. Recognizing the importance of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System in the policy section, not just transportation, and require it to be thoughtfully located through new developments.
3. Make 10-minute walking, access to parks or open spaces, a policy target.
4. Clarification of Map 3-1 and associated text to avoid the impression that only one geographical type is considered for open space.
5. Brown box text, Chapter 3, p. 3-12: revision of text about "City-owned parcels with open space dedications."
6. Avoid limiting the terms of conservation to "significant" or "uncommon" resources only.
7. Re-framing Policy OS.2 so that it does not read as "open space only where development can't go."
8. Update to the Policy Map designations and trail continuity in Chapter 4.
9. Update the viewshed responsibility language in Chapter 7.
10. Request that Ponderosa Pine tree stands be mapped and managed.
11. State that the "integration" of Open Space is as important as "access" in Chapter 8.
12. Strengthen Chapter 8's action items and timelines.
13. Recommendation on implementation tools such as incentives, density bonuses, partnerships and expedited reviews to encourage developers to incorporate the 10-minute walking access standard.
14. Revision of glossary terms: Parks, Active, Passive Recreation.

Commissioners and Sarah Dechter had an extensive back-and-forth conversation on each of the topics before concluding their discussion of the Regional Land Use Plan. Sarah told Commissioners that no decisions would be made at the September 10th public hearing with the City Planning and Zoning Commission. Robert asked if the Commission could present at any of the upcoming meetings. Sarah replied that the Commission should submit their comments in writing and then present a brief summary at the meeting on September 10th.

It was decided that the Commission would need additional time to brainstorm and revise their Regional Plan comments document. Commissioner's plan to update the document to reflect an abbreviated set of comments as some were already covered by Sarah at today's meeting. To vote upon their updated Regional Plans comments, the Commission decided to hold a special meeting on September 8th at 4 PM — virtual only.
 

Review and recommendations of the LASS/CAP Code Concepts Report have been deferred to a future commission meeting.

Councilmember Spence's report has been deferred to the September 22nd commission meeting.

Commission Representative Norton did not have any additional information to share.

The August Open Spaces Management Report has been deferred to the September 22nd commission meeting.

Review of the July monthly PROSE newsletter was deferred to the September 22nd commission meeting.

Robert Wallace shared with commissioners that the reclaimed water agreement would be going to city council on September 9th. He also reminded commissioners that the next scheduled meeting on September 22nd will be a joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission. 

Chair Thomas motioned to adjourn the meeting. The meeting ended at 6:45 PM.