MINUTES
| OPEN SPACES COMMISSION MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 |
ONLINE MEETING ONLY (via Microsoft Teams) MICROSOFT TEAMS 4:00 P.M. |
1.
Call to Order
Chair Thomas called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.
2.
Roll Call
| NOTE: One or more Commissioners may be in attendance through other technological means. |
| Chair Jacqueline Thomas: Present Co-Chair Bruce Fox: Present Commissioner Mary Norton (P&Z Liaison): Present Commissioner William Kluwin: Present |
Commissioner Molly Joyce: Present Commissioner Lina Wallen: Present Commissioner Nat White: Absent Councilmember Rep. David Spence: Absent |
Staff Present: Rebecca Sayers (PROSE Director), Robert Wallace (Open Space Supervisor), Lori Reynolds (PROSE Administrative Specialist), Martin Ince (Transportation Planner Senior Lead)
3.
Land Acknowledgment
The Flagstaff Open Spaces Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
The Flagstaff Open Spaces Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
Read by Chair Thomas.
4.
Open Call to the Public
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject that is not scheduled before the Commission on this day. The Arizona Open Meeting Law prohibits the Commission from discussing or taking action on an item which is not listed on the prepared agenda. Commission members may, however, respond to criticism made by those addressing the Commission, ask staff to review a matter, or ask that a matter be placed on a future agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard.
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject that is not scheduled before the Commission on this day. The Arizona Open Meeting Law prohibits the Commission from discussing or taking action on an item which is not listed on the prepared agenda. Commission members may, however, respond to criticism made by those addressing the Commission, ask staff to review a matter, or ask that a matter be placed on a future agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard.
Read by Chair Thomas. No public comments were received.
5.
Business Items
A.
Regional Plan Review and Recommendations
Chair Thomas shared a brief overview on what the meeting would be covering, including a final review of the Commission's recommendations for the Regional Plan draft and selecting a Commissioner who will present at the upcoming Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. Robert Wallace shared that he had worked with both Chair Thomas and Co-Chair Fox on revisions the previous week, as well as meeting with Sara Dechter who provided additional comments on the Commission's recommendations. To begin the final discussion and review of the Commission's recommendations, Robert shared on the Teams meeting a copy of the draft letter from Commissioners that included the list of recommendations they came up with at the previous meeting on August 25th.
Additional comments made on the list of recommendations:
Commissioner William Kluwin, motioned to approve the September 8, 2025 letter of recommendation with the identified edits and corrections. Commissioner Bruce Fox seconded the motion. All commissioners present approved the motion.
Commissioner Kluwin motioned to approved the presentation summary of the Regional Plan with the suggested edits and corrections, authorizing its use by the commission's designee when presenting to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Commissioner Bruce Fox seconded the motion. All commissioners present approved the motion.
Commissioner Kluwin and Co-Chair Fox volunteered to present at the following meetings:
Additional comments made on the list of recommendations:
- Edit "non-negotiable" statement in Chapter 3, p. 3-1.
- Commissioners discussed alternative word choices such as 'declared', 'balanced', 'primary', or 'important'.
- Keeping this recommendation with additional edits.
- Recognizing the importance of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) in the policy section, not just Transportation. Revision in Chapter 3, p. 3-9.
- Commissioners discussed prioritizing the accessibility and connectivity of FUTS. Including a section on it outside of Transportation would help recognize the importance of FUTS, and it's integration with other trails.
- Keeping this recommendation with additional edits.
- Make the 1/4 mile to 1/3 mile Walking Access Standard a policy target. Chapter 3, p. 3-10
- Amy Hagin provided input from a parks and recreation perspective that keeping reference to the 10-Minute Walking Access Standard would be more beneficial as that is the national benchmark for equitable access to open spaces and parks.
- Keeping this recommendation with reference to the 10-Minute Walking Distance.
- Clarification to Map 3-1 and related text. Chapter 3, p. 3-11, Map 3-1.
- Keeping this recommendation.
- Revision to Policy PROSE.4. Chapter 3, p. 3-12.
- Commissioners discussed changing the wording surrounding Interagency coordination.
- Reframe Policy OS.2 to not read as "open space only where development can't go." Chapter 3, p. 3-14.
- Keeping this recommendation.
- Fix the Policy Map designation to acknowledge trail continuity as a top priority connection. Chapter 4, p. 4-9 and 4-10. Map 4-1 and 4-2.
- Commissioners discussed the impacts that different zoning types and private land ownership have in relation to Open Space access.
- Keeping this recommendation and additional edits.
- Remove the reference to private parcels over 400 acres. Chapter 4, p. 4-37.
- Keeping this recommendation
- Reframe the map disclaimer to ensure trails are included in the design. Chapter 4, p. 4-37 and 4-38.
- Keeping this recommendation with additional edits to the disclaimer statement.
- Add missing existing trail right-of-way access to map 4-6. Chapter 4.
- Keeping this recommendation
- Add trail access points and trailheads to map 4-5. Chapter 4.
- Keeping this recommendation
- Update the bikeway policy plan map. Chapter 4, p. 4-39, Map 4-7.
- Commissioners commented that any new roads planned in the future should include bikeways.
- Keeping this recommendation
- Recognize the importance of FUTS and other trails in Chapter 4, and require it to be added throughout new developments.
- Keeping this recommendation.
- Making "integration" as important as "access" in neighborhood policy.
- A recommendation was made by Robert to update the proposed sentence change.
- Keeping this recommendation with the addition of Robert's update.
- Strengthen Chapter 8 action items and timelines.
- Keeping this recommendation.
- Map stands of ponderosa pine.
- Commissioners discussed various viewpoints on the need to map ponderosa pine and the goal of having a community tree inventory.
- Commissioners remained in favor of keeping this item as ponderosa pine is one of Flagstaff's largest natural resources.
- Recommendation on Implementation Tools.
- Keeping this recommendation, but combining it with #15 to strengthen Chapter 8 action items and timelines.
Commissioner William Kluwin, motioned to approve the September 8, 2025 letter of recommendation with the identified edits and corrections. Commissioner Bruce Fox seconded the motion. All commissioners present approved the motion.
Commissioner Kluwin motioned to approved the presentation summary of the Regional Plan with the suggested edits and corrections, authorizing its use by the commission's designee when presenting to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Commissioner Bruce Fox seconded the motion. All commissioners present approved the motion.
Commissioner Kluwin and Co-Chair Fox volunteered to present at the following meetings:
- September 24th, Public Hearing #2 (City Planning and Zoning Commission): Commissioner Kluwin
- October 9th, City Council Public Hearing: Co-Chair Fox.
6.
Informational Items To and From Commissioners and Staff
Robert shared a brief update with Commissioners that the Bow and Arrow agreement, part of a draft Resolution, would be presented to City Council on September 9th.
7.
Potential Future Agenda Items
No future agenda items were discussed at this meeting.
8.
Adjournment
Chair Thomas adjourned the meeting at 6:15 PM.