Chapter 9 of the General Plan defines what type of change is considered a Major Amendment, Minor Amendment or No Amendment. A change to the roadway plan that is separate from a land use change is considered a Minor General Plan Amendment. A change to land use under 160 acres requires a Minor General Plan Amendment, regardless of whether it includes a change to the roadway plan. A Minor General Plan Amendment requires one public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission and one public hearing before the City Council. Minor Amendments to the General Plan can be processed at any time during the year because it is not a Major General Plan Amendment. 

The current General Plan Land Use Category for the Subject Property is Business and Commerce. The request is to change the General Plan Land Use Category to Neighborhood. The property owner applied to rezone the Subject Property (121 acres) and the Adjacent Property (35 acres) to Planned Area Development (PAD) to develop a 156-acre single-family master planned community (the “156-Acre Residential Community”). The proposed rezoning will be considered by separate action if Council approves this proposed General Plan Amendment.  The 156-Acre Residential Community is not compatible with the existing land use designation in the General Plan of Business and Commerce and for the proposed 156-Acre Residential Community to move forward, the land use designation for the Subject Property needs to be amended to Neighborhood.   

To facilitate the development of the 156-acre Residential Community, the applicant has also requested the removal of a future section of Goodyear Boulevard East along the western boundary of the Subject Property. 

Due to the changes made to the Land Use Designations within the former City Center Overlay District and the proposed elimination of a section of Goodyear Boulevard East that was to encircle the former City Center Overlay District adjacent to the Subject Property, the road classification of Goodyear Boulevard as City Center Arterial is no longer appropriate. Accordingly, the General Plan Amendment also seeks to:
· Classify Goodyear Boulevard North, between Estrella Parkway and Goodyear Boulevard East/Centerra Drive, as Other Streets; and
· Classify Goodyear Boulevard East, between Goodyear Boulevard North/Centerra Drive and Yuma Road, as Other Streets; and
· Designate Goodyear Boulevard South, between Wood Boulevard and Goodyear Boulevard West/157th Avenue, as Other Streets; and
· Designate Goodyear Boulevard West, between Goodyear Boulevard South/157th Avenue and Yuma Road, as Other Streets.

It is anticipated that these reclassified streets will serve as Major Collectors and the final street classification will be determined by the Engineering Department after future Traffic Studies are completed.

The area impacted by the proposed General Plan amendment is referred to as the Ballpark Village Northeast Area, and the proposed amendment is sometimes referred to as the Ballpark Village Northeast Minor General Plan Amendment.

Evaluation Criteria:
Chapter 9, Amendments and Public Participation, specifies the Amendment Review Criteria to be used in reviewing a proposed amendment.  The following information identifies these criteria and how this proposed amendment to the General Plan complies with those criteria.

The vision statement for the City as described in Chapter 3 is: “Create a highly desirable and sustainable place for all to live, work, visit, and play”.
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment would allow for a subsequent rezone request which could include a single-family development. A rezone to single-family residential would bring additional residents to the area and those residents could support the existing and future job centers/retail centers located near Phoenix-Goodyear Airport and Ballpark Village Northeast Area.

Ballpark Village Northeast Area Minor General Plan Amendment is consistent with the Goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan, including:
Goal GD-1: A compatible mix of land uses that fosters a quality community, with livable and safe neighborhoods, a healthy population, a strong economy, and a sustainable environment.
• Objective GD-1-5: Plan for and develop the future City Center site with a mix of cultural, commercial, and recreational uses and amenities.
o Policy ‘b’: Consider new information in the planning for City Center such as resident comments, demographics, and community needs.
Subsequent to the adoption of the General Plan, the City decided to effectively move the “City Center” from its planned location (which includes a portion of the Property) to another location north of the I-10 freeway. The development of the Ballpark Village Northeast Area is proposed in response to this change in information and plans relative to the City Center.
Goal GD-2: Effectively managed and well-distributed growth that meets or exceeds the quality of existing development and addressed the needs of existing and future residents and businesses.
• Objective GD-2-1: Ensure that new development pays its fair share toward the cost of additional public service needs generated by that new development.
The developer of this portion of Ballpark Village Northeast Area will both construct new infrastructure adjacent to the Property and pay development impact fees to the City for its fair share of additional public service needs that may be generated by the project.
• Objective GD-2-2: Focus new growth in the City’s designated growth areas to effectively utilize resources, minimize operation and maintenance costs, and attract and effectively provide new services such as transit and entertainment opportunities.
o Policy ‘b’: Promote development within the City’s designated growth areas first.
The proposed Ballpark Village Northeast Area development is located in the immediate vicinity of both the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport job center.   
Goal GD-3: A connected community with a well-functioning roadway network of complete streets that meet the needs of its residents, workforce, and visitors.
• Objective GD-3-1: Establish and maintain a well-functioning roadway network.
The developer of Ballpark Village Northeast Area will facilitate the completion of both Yuma Road and Estrella Parkway along its frontage to City standards. Completion of these two key transportation corridors within the City will certainly further this objective.
Goal GD-5: A customer-centered, effective, and efficient system of public and private facilities and services for existing and future residents, businesses, and visitors.
• Objective GD-5-1: Ensure infrastructure and services are available to meet the needs of new residents and workers and continue to meet the needs of the existing community.
Infrastructure adjacent to the project will be completed by the developer, including Yuma Road and Estrella Parkway.
Goal GD-6: An assured volume and reliable supply of affordable, high quality water resources that meet both current and future needs.
• Objective GD-6-6: Commit to water conservation.
The developer will follow all city regulations pertaining to water and landscaping.
Goal GD-7: A community that provides for the health and safety of residents and visitors and protects them from the hazards of the natural and man-made environment.
• Objective GD-7-3: Ensure the built (i.e., man-made) environment fosters safety.
o Policy ‘a’: Promote safety through neighborhood design through measures such as, but not limited to, lighting and traffic calming.
Any development within this portion of Ballpark Village Northeast Area will be designed to respond to this policy, incorporating appropriate street and open space lighting, as well as street design that discourages speeding, in order to create a safe community.
Goal GD-8: A community that is sensitive and dedicated to preserving the unique nature and wildlife of the Sonoran Desert.
• Objective GD-8-1: Utilize architecture and landscape that is compatible with the Sonoran Desert.
The developer shall consider the natural and built environment in the design of its communities.
Goal CC-1: Vibrant and complete neighborhoods recognized as being people and family friendly, each with their individual character yet connected and integrated into a cohesive Goodyear.
• Objective CC-1-1: Create and foster complete neighborhoods.
This portion of Ballpark Village Northeast Area will be a complete neighborhood, featuring a range of housing options, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, abundant open space, and amenities, and gathering places, all in close proximity to schools, retail and dining options, and future job centers.
Goal CC-3: A parks, trails, open spaces, add recreational facilities system that is regionally and locally linked and accessible, that serves existing and future residents and contributes to the community’s social, economic, and environmental quality.
• Objective CC-3-1: Develop parks and recreation facilities in support of programs and events desired by city residents, that support economic development and that promote neighborhood identify and quality of life.
This portion of Ballpark Village Northeast Area will provide parks and open space in conformance with the policies outlined in the General Plan for the “Neighborhoods” land use category including, making them a focal point of the neighborhood in close proximity to all residents, providing excellent connectivity, and creating a sense of place where residents can play safely and interact socially.
Goal CC-4: A non-motorized trail and path network that provides safe and convenient opportunities for bicycling and walking.
• Objective CC-4-1: Enhance the regional bicycle system.
The construction of this portion of Ballpark Village Northeast Area will enhance the regional bicycle system by providing bike lanes on arterial streets adjacent to the project where requested by the city and incorporating bicycle usable pathways and parking areas within the community itself.
Goal CC-7: A community with access to healthy eating and active lifestyle opportunities.
• Objective CC-7-2: Promote a physically active community.
Ballpark Village Northeast Area and the future residents of this neighborhood will be within walking distance of Bullard Wash and the Goodyear Recreation Campus; these amenities will be connected to the future residential by pathways and sidewalks, thereby helping to promote a more physically active community.
Goal ED-1: A resilient and diversified economy.
• Objective ED-1-1: Encourage development to attract business to Goodyear that offer good wages and benefits and positively contribute to the community and economy.
Through a General Plan Amendment from Business and Commerce to Neighborhood, the developer will be able to develop a mix of single-family residential units. The addition of housing in the area will provide workers, within the nearby employment uses, with additional housing options The developer of this portion of Ballpark Village Northeast Area will be providing new housing opportunities within close proximity to employment.
Goal ED-4: A community that is a technology leader in health care, business, education, aerospace, defense, and government.
• Objective ED-4-2: Ensure that every business and home in Goodyear is connected to advanced telecommunications.
With the development of this portion of Ballpark Village Northeast Area, the developer will work with telecommunication providers to extend infrastructure in order to provide access to all homes within the project.

The 9 fundamental strategies are:

• Strategy 1 – Create Attractive Places and Diverse Destinations
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment aligns with this strategy. The developer of Ballpark Village Northeast Area has applied to rezone the Subject Property and additional 35 acres adjacent to the Subject Property to the Planned Area Development Zoning District to create a 156-acre single-family community with four different housing options, thereby furthering the strategy to create attractive places and diverse destinations that will bring people to the city.
• Strategy 2 – Develop a Physically and Socially Connected Community
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment is not in conflict with this strategy of developing a physically and socially connected community.
• Strategy 3 – Expand the Parks, Open Space, Trails and Recreation System
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment aligns with this strategy. The developer of Ballpark Village Northeast Area will provide open space, pathway connectivity, amenities, and recreational opportunities for its residents.
• Strategy 4 – Cultivate Art & Culture
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment is not in conflict with this strategy of encouraging and facilitating art and cultural events.
• Strategy 5 – Advance Economic Opportunity
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment is not in conflict with this strategy of expanding opportunities for small businesses, education, and training, and locating new businesses within the City.
• Strategy 6 – Protect and Utilize our Assets
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment is not in conflict with this strategy of protecting the City’s history, residents, business community and unique natural setting.
• Strategy 7 – Maximize Partnerships and Collaboration
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment is not in conflict with this strategy of collaborating and partnering with the City, schools, businesses, resident groups, and neighboring communities to align goals and policies.
• Strategy 8 – Provide Opportunities for Living a Healthy Lifestyle
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment aligns with this strategy. The requirements for the zoning districts compatible with a general plan land use designation of Neighborhoods include open space requirements; and the proposed PAD zoning for the 156-acre development will provide an abundance of open space and recreational opportunities for its residents, as well as quality housing, all of which contribute to a high quality of life and healthier lifestyle.
• Strategy 9 – Foster a Sustainable Economy and Community
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment aligns with this strategy. The developer of Ballpark Village Northeast Area will construct all required roadway and utility infrastructure adjacent to the project. Existing City services for future residents are already in place in the area, and Fulton Homes will further fund such services through the payment of development impact fees to the City.

The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment will not negatively impact the implementation of any City-approved Master Plan. The City Center Specific Area Plan, which included a portion of the Property, was modified by the City and Fulton Homes is proposing a development, in a companion rezoning case, in response to that key change.

The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment represents an overall improvement to the General Plan by responding to the city’s decision to move the proposed City Hall from City Center to a property north of the I-10 freeway. Ballpark Village Northeast Area will provide an appropriate and compatible replacement at this location that will continue to provide a diversity of housing in the area.

a. Significantly reducing the balance of residents and jobs.

The development of job centers within the city will result in a need for additional new housing to house the future workforce.

b. Increasing traffic without mitigation.

The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment is anticipated to result in less traffic than would have otherwise been generated by the Property’s existing land use designations as the Neighborhood Land Use Designation has lower densities and intensity uses than those permitted in the Business and Commerce Land Use Designation.

c. Requiring additional and more expensive improvements to infrastructure without mitigation.

The land uses proposed by the Minor General Plan Amendment will result in less traffic than would have otherwise been generated by the Property’s existing land use designations thereby lessening the impact on roadway infrastructure in the area. Additionally, the proposed land uses will not result in an increased water or sewer service demand. The rezoning application filed, which is compatible with the Neighborhood Land Use Designation, supports this statement.

d. Significantly altering the existing character of an area in a negative and unplanned way.

The site is currently vacant. The introduction of additional and diverse housing options will not significantly alter the existing character of the area.

e. Diminishing the environmental quality of the air, water, land, or cultural resources.

The proposed Minor General Plan amendment will not diminish the environmental quality of the air, water, land, or cultural resources. Rather, the change from employment, industrial and commercial uses to residential uses should result in a lesser overall impact to this important natural resources.

Public Participation:

An in-person Neighborhood Meeting was conducted for this proposal and Notice of the Neighborhood Meeting was provided to property owners within 500 feet of the property on January 13, 2022; signs advertising the Neighborhood Meeting were placed on the site on January 15, 2022. The neighborhood meeting took place on January 31, 2022. No residents spoke in opposition to the proposed rezone.

A public notice that this rezoning request would be considered and reviewed at a public hearing to be held before the Planning and Zoning Commission on April 6, 2022 appeared in the Arizona Republic Southwest Valley Edition March 18, 2022 and again on April 1, 2022; postcards were mailed to adjoining owners on March 16, 2022 and again on March 23, 2022; and signs were updated on the site with the Public Hearing dates on March 21 2022.