Public hearing followed by discussion on any and all matters regarding General Plan Case No. 2020-01 and Resolution No. 2134. A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Luis adopting the updated San Luis General Plan known as the "City of San Luis 2040 General Plan.  (Jose Guzman, Director of Planning & Zoning)

A. Open public hearing B. Close public hearing
C. Action on Resolution No. 2134

Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §9-461.05 requires all municipalities to adopt a general plan and update it every ten years, with voter ratification. Upon voter ratification, a general plan is effective for ten years. After ten years, a municipality may either readopt the existing general plan or develop and adopt a new general plan. 

The last General Plan for San Luis (San Luis General Plan 2020) was ratified in June 2011. The San Luis 2040 General Plan (the plan) serves as the required ten-year update under state law and is intended to be used as a guide in making immediate and future decisions related to future growth, development, community improvements, services, and use of resources within the City of San Luis. The plan addresses areas within City limits as well as within the larger municipal planning area, which is the City’s area of influence. 

Work on the plan began in March 2019 and involved extensive community engagement including stakeholder interviews, three community workshops, a community open house, and on-line comments/surveys. The state-mandated 60-day public review period occurred from February 19 to April 19, 2020. A Draft General Plan was made available on the project website for public review and comment and submitted to neighboring jurisdictions and local agencies. We recieved comments from the following agencies:

• Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation
• Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization
• Arizona Game and Fish
• Somerton School District #1
• Yuma Region Bicycle Coalition

Community Engagement
To guide community engagement, the City developed a Public Participation Plan to engage stakeholders, including residents, property owners, business owners, the development community, and others interested in San Luis’ growth. The input gathered from this engagement guided the development of the 2040 General Plan through various efforts during the planning process, including community workshops and stakeholder interviews. The methods of community engagement for the San Luis 2040 General Plan included:

Community Meetings. The primary method of gathering public input for the plan was through community workshops. San Luis hosted three community workshops and a community open house throughout the planning process. These community workshops and community open house helped inform community members of the General Plan and its role in guiding the future of the city. Each workshop covered a broad range of topics to collect individuals’ insight and feedback. During these community workshops, attendees helped develop the Vision Statement, identify issues and opportunities, prioritize transportation improvements, create land use alternatives, and review goals and policies. The three community workshops and community open house are summarized as follows:

• Community Workshop #1. May 15, 2019, City Hall Community Room.  The workshop utilized exercises to gather community input to help guide the General Plan update create the plan’s Vision Statement.
• Community Workshop #2. June 4, 2019, City Hall Community Room. This workshop included exercises focused on transportation infrastructure and future development.
• Community Workshop #3. September 18, 2019, City Hall Community Room. This workshop included exercises to determine preferred priorities in a series of policies covering five broad General Plan topics, ranging from growth and public services to economy and cross-border issues.
• Community Open House. January 14, 2020, City Hall Community Room. This open house was held in order to provide an update on the General Plan process and themes, present the results from the three community workshops, and to receive feedback on the draft goals and policies.  

Stakeholder Interviews. A key component in the community engagement process was stakeholder interviews with face-to-face discussions with City Departments, key businesses, and community leaders to gain a clear understanding of the issues and expectations for the General Plan update. A total of 28 interviews were conducted as part of the engagement process.

Steering Committee Meetings. The Steering Committee for the San Luis 2040 General Plan was comprised of community stakeholders, including members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council and various community agencies. The committee provided guidance and direction for the planning process and completed technical reviews of draft documents related to the General Plan. In total, there were three Steering Committee meetings held throughout the planning process.

Project Website. The City hosted and maintained an interactive project website (www.SanLuis2040.com) dedicated to the General Plan as an extension of the City’s webpage. This website was the primary source of information on workshops and open houses and provided the public with a method review documents and to submit comments and suggestions related to the plan development and formation.

Informational Brochures. The City prepared a series of informational brochures during the General Plan process with relevant information regarding the Plan. These brochures were distributed at all General Plan workshops and open house and were made available through the City’s project website.  

Online Surveys. The City conducted online surveys during the planning process to provide the community with an opportunity to provide input on the General Plan. This helped gather input and gain an understanding of key issues and opportunities that should be addressed in the General Plan. The results from the survey are incorporated into the General Plan.

General Plan Organization
State law requires municipalities with a population of over 50,000 to address 17 elements in their general plan. An element is a section of the general plan that discusses a specific planning topic. Although San Luis’ population does not yet exceed 50,000, it is projected that the City will exceed this threshold within the next ten years; therefore, the City opted to include all 17 required elements, as well as two optional elements in the 2040 General Plan. Some of these elements were combined where there was significant overlap. The General Plan organizes like elements into one of four themes for readability. These themes are: Growth, Economy, Public Service, and Environment. Although the General Plan organizes elements into themes, all themes and elements are interrelated and should be considered concurrently during the decision-making processes.  

The San Luis 2040 General Plan consists of seven chapters, which include this Introduction Chapter, the four theme chapters, an Implementation Chapter, and a Glossary. The Introduction chapter provides an overview of the General Plan, the community’s vision for San Luis in 2040, the context for San Luis, the community engagement process, and General Plan compliance. The next four chapters are the four themes, which highlight the elements they cover, describe the existing conditions related to the elements, and provide goals and policies that guide future decision-making related to the theme. The Implementation Chapter includes the actions that will help accomplish the goals and policies in each theme.  Finally, the Glossary provides definitions of key terms throughout the General Plan document.

Vision Statement
The Vision Statement was drafted through community input at public workshops, and refined by the project team, City staff, and the General Plan Steering Committee. The 2040 San Luis General Plan Vision Statement describes the ideal future state of the community in 2040 and beyond. This Vision Statement is the guiding source for the General Plan, including the goals, policies, and implementation strategies that will help realize this envisioned future.

In 2040, San Luis is a welcoming binational city that is built on agriculture, distinct history, and collaboration. We pride ourselves on having quality neighborhoods, significant cultural resources, and outstanding schools while offering an innovative and forward-thinking community to live, work, and play, which will develop in a manner that ensures that new growth improves our community and retains our shared values.
GENERAL PLAN SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS:

The San Luis 2040 General Plan is comprised of four theme chapters, Growth, Economy, Public Services, and Environment. This section provides a detailed summary and analysis of each of the four theme chapters of the plan. Key community topics and components for the 19 elements of the plan are identified, including key implementation steps to achieve the plan vision. 

Growth Theme
The Growth Theme explores community topics related to land use and future growth of San Luis with high quality and safe neighborhoods, vibrant shopping areas, and supporting employment uses. The Growth Theme addresses the Land Use, Growth, Cost of Development, and Housing Elements of the General Plan. 

Land Use Element
The Land Use Element explores the primary influences within the local, regional and international context of San Luis that shape future land use within the city and define the desired future community attributes of the envisioned future for San Luis. Key components and community topics addressed by goals and policies within the Land Use Element include:

• Land Use Categories. The Land Use Element establishes nine (9) land use categories with associated descriptions that define the type, design, character, and density/intensity intended for each of the land use categories. 
• Future Land Use Map. The land use categories are depicted on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and establish the desired distribution of land use densities and intensities and is a representation of the projected build-out condition for San Luis.
• Employment Areas. The plan broadly defines the City’s target industry sectors: agri-business, agriculture production storage and processing, manufacturing, and transportation, logistics and distribution. The plan establishes policy guidance to preserve and retain future employment areas to serve the community.
• Downtown San Luis. The plan provides policy guidance to preserve and enhance the desirable components of this important community area through future detailed planning and other tools to promote enhancement of the downtown as a vibrant, walkable mixed-use community focus area.
• Binational Influences. The binational effects associated with San Luis’ proximity to the international border are reflected in the Future Land Use Plan and accompanying goals and policies which strive to accommodate, capitalize, and leverage these unique international influences.
• Land Use Concentration. The plan concentrates higher density and intensity land uses and activity centers at primary intersections within the community and supports nodes of activity versus linear commercial uses along entire road frontages.
• Land Use Balance. The plan establishes goals and policies designed to create an appropriate balance of land uses to serve the community including residential, commerce, employment, parks, and civic uses.
• Public Land Ownership. The plan provides policy-level guidance and recommends future cooperative planning partnerships regarding lands under state or federal ownership.

Growth Element
The Growth Element coordinates and advances the land use, infrastructure, and economic development policies of the plan, guiding and focusing development in strategic growth areas in proximity to existing infrastructure and supporting land uses. The Growth Areas element provides goals and policies to guide future decision-making regarding the extension of infrastructure and services as the city grows and develops. This policy guidance is intended to ensure that San Luis grows in an economically sustainable manner through the prioritization of city resources, infrastructure, and public services in areas where growth is most likely and appropriate to advance the broader vision of the plan.

Three primary areas are identified on the Growth Areas Map based on existing and projected attributes of the areas. All three Growth Areas are in areas where development can be accommodated by existing or future planned infrastructure and services. A summary of each Growth Area is provided below.

• Downtown Growth Area. The overall growth objective for this area is to support revitalization and redevelopment of the area and infill development in a manner that advances the land use, economic development, and growth policies of the plan. The Downtown Growth Area is intended to be a unique blend of housing, shopping, entertainment, employment, civic and open space uses serving as the cultural center of the city.
• Central Growth Area. The Central Growth area covers the future activity center on SR-195 and the planned commercial and employment node at San Luis II – Commercial Port of Entry. The overall growth objective of this area is to serve as the future primary growth area for San Luis and include higher density residential, shopping, entertainment, gathering areas, office, and employment land uses.
• West Growth Area. The West Growth Area is in the western portion of the planning area, north of the Downtown Growth Area and along the SR 95 highway corridor. The West Growth Area is intended to serve as a future growth area supporting the downtown area and the emerging activity center in the northwest quadrant of the planning area.

Cost of Development Element 
The Cost of Development Element provides goals and policies to ensure that growth and development is not subsidized over the long-term by current residents and businesses within San Luis. The element identifies tools and strategies to equitably assess and balance the costs associated with development to support a financially sustainable approach to future infrastructure planning and development in the City. These tools and strategies include:

• Principals of Sound Financial Management. The element summarizes broad best practice fiscal principles relative to the planning and management of public funds for the expansion of infrastructure and public services to serve future growth.
• Developer Constructed Infrastructure. The element establishes policies to ensure residential and non-residential development provide land dedications and improvements necessary to support proposed development including streets, water, wastewater and open space.
• Infrastructure Improvement Plan (IIP) and Development Fees. Policy guidance is included to ensure timely and regular updates to the IIP and adopted development fees to define an equitable developer cost burden with necessary infrastructure to support development. 
• Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Annual Operating Budget. The element contains goals and policies to ensure operation and maintenance needs are provided in conjunction with capital improvements and the complete impact of growth is considered and to ensure current residents and businesses are not subsidizing future growth.
• Community Facilities District (CFD). The plan identifies policies to support CFDs as a potential future funding source for infrastructure construction in certain areas to support the City’s land use, growth, and economic development objectives.
• Utility Funds. The plan provides policy guidance to ensure water, wastewater, and solid waste user fees are regularly reviewed and updated by the city to ensure full cost recovery for services provided and to ensure an appropriate and fiscally sustainable cost allocation for the municipal service provided.

Housing Element
The Housing Element explores housing needs, affordability, and supply within the city and establishes goals and policies promoting housing availability and choice to support future growth and development. Key community topics relative to housing in San Luis include:

• Housing Diversity. Housing goals and policies established by this element include support for higher density residential housing types including apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and attached single-family courtyard homes to support employment, mixed-use, and activity centers. Additional housing policies include strategies to increase multi-generational housing options that support residents’ ability to age in place such as accessory dwelling units and continuum of care facilities.
• Binational Housing Influences. The plan advances goals and policies to reflect these unique aspects of San Luis related to binational influences and includes housing goals and policies intended to diversify the available housing choices in San Luis to accommodate all housing needs.
• Residential Property Maintenance. The plan addresses policies to encourage infill residential development and ensure residential areas are maintained in an attractive manner.

Economy Theme
The Economy Theme covers three elements that provide a foundation for growing and sustaining a strong economy in San Luis: Economic Development, Community Revitalization, and Arts & Culture. 

Economic Development Element
The Economic Development Element identifies targeted and proactive economic development initiatives customized for San Luis to ensure growth and sustainment of a healthy local economy that benefits all community members. This element establishes goals and policies addressing the following key community topics:

• Capitalizing on Ports of Entry. The goals and policies of this element focus on capturing the market of people and goods flowing through the border. This element includes guidance to capture the economic impact of border crossings, facilitate enhanced border crossings, strengthening partnerships to advance border planning, and improving placemaking to attract and retain more people crossing the border. 
• Growing and Expanding Businesses and Industries. This element provides policies that support the preservation of future employment areas and the retention and expansion of businesses and industries providing jobs, goods, and services to the community.
• Rolle Field. The element supports the protection and expansion of operations at Rolle Airfield through future planning initiatives to support a future commercial and employment growth area in San Luis and provide new opportunities in aerospace, aviation, and defense systems development.
• Marketing Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ). This element provides policy guidance on marketing the benefits and use of Foreign trade Zones to foster business development and expansion within the San Luis planning area. This element focuses on capitalizing on the maquiladora industry and economic advantages provided by the FTZ.  
• Economic Development Partnerships. This element identifies local and regional economic development partnerships which should be leveraged to achieve mutual goals including the Arizona Commerce Authority, 4FronTED, and the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation. 

Community Preservation, Revitalization, and Redevelopment 
This element of the General Plan identifies proactive community revitalization tools and efforts to help reduce or reverse the effects of aging through adaptive reuse and other strategies to maintain San Luis as an active, relevant, and thriving place. This element provides policy guidance to focus revitalization efforts in Downtown San Luis as well as some revitalization opportunities through infill development throughout the city. Key topics addressed by this element include:

• Enhancing Downtown San Luis. The element provides guidance for targeted funding and redevelopment strategies for implementation including federal Opportunity Zones, state redevelopment area designations, and various grants and funding opportunities. 
• Encouraging Infill Development. The element encourages infill development in the downtown area and other areas of the city to maximize the use of existing infrastructure and provide productive, revenue producing uses and stable residential areas to enhance existing areas within the community. 
• Strengthening Community Identity. The element includes policies intended to enhance the character of a place through public art installations, distinctive design standards, and gathering spaces. This element also identifies policies that reinforce community identity and lead to stronger neighborhood and community pride. 

Arts and Culture Element
This element supports the display of public art and community festivals and events, both of which provide opportunities to celebrate the City’s heritage and history. Key community topics addressed in the Arts and Culture Element include:

• Creating Sense of Place through Art. The arts are a way to illustrate the shared culture and heritage of San Luis, creating a sense of identity in the community. This element provides policy guidance to support the inclusion of art within the built environment through a percent for arts program and a formal Arts and Culture Plan.
• Strengthening Arts and Cultural Events. Cultural programs in San Luis create an opportunity to celebrate the city’s heritage and traditions as a community. The element identifies cultural program and events that should be continued and enhanced to contribute to sense of place in San Luis.
• Preserving Historically Significant Places. The element provides policy guidance to inform future decision-making concerning protection of historic buildings and cultural resources for future generations. 

Public Services Theme
The Public Services Theme establishes goals and policies to ensure public services to serve existing and future growth are provided in a reliable, efficient, cost-effective, and strategic manner. This theme supports future well-planned, quality municipal services, resulting in enhancement of the quality of life of residents and businesses in San Luis. The Public Services Element is comprised of the following elements: Public Services, Buildings and Facilities, Water Resources, Safety, Parks and Recreation, Education, and Transportation. 

Public Services, Buildings, and Facilities Element
This element summarizes primary municipal buildings, facilities, and uses serving the community including public works, planning, building safety, police, fire, economic development, administration, and court services. The City maintains municipal buildings, facilities, and uses that support and enhance quality of life including City Hall, fleet, and facility maintenance services. The City also operates and maintains police stations, fire stations, public utilities, numerous parks and community recreational facilities throughout the community Key community topics addressed within this element include:

• Facilities Master Plan. This element provides a recommendation to update the Facilities Master Plan to anticipate and accommodate future buildout needs for public buildings and facilities providing service to residents and businesses. This element provides for evaluation to identify underserved areas in need of public facilities and services and establishes policies to address deficits and needed enhancements annually through the CIP program.
• Partnerships. This element identifies partnerships with public agencies and private interests to provide joint-use facilities for community gathering, recreational, and other public services provided to the community. This element also provides policies to explore and assess the possible implementation of providing additional municipal library services in conjunction with the Yuma County Library District.
• LEED Design. The plan establishes policies that support leadership in the area of site design and architecture for City buildings and facilities by utilizing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles in facility planning and design where appropriate.

Public Utilities
The portion of the element summarizes relevant information to the City’s core public services for water, wastewater, and solid waste utilities and provides guidance to ensure clean water, efficient trash service, and effective wastewater management serving the day-to day needs of residents and contributing to the quality of life within San Luis. These core public services and related implementation steps are summarized as follows:

• Integrated Utility Master Plan. This element supports development an Integrated Utility Master Plan to identify near-, mid-, and long-term related capital improvements for water and wastewater infrastructure and facilities to support the future build-out population contemplated by the FLUM of the San Luis 2040 General Plan.
• Water Resources and Treatment. The Water Resources Element provides policy guidance to ensure availability of water resources to serve future growth and development within the City. The goals and policies of this element advance strategies and recommendations to plan for future potable water treatment facility needs through an integrated utility master plan.
• Water Storage and Distribution. The goals and policies of the San Luis 2040 General Plan recommend a future update to the Water System Master Plan to reflect the Future Land Use Plan and define future water storage and distribution facilities needed to support future growth and development of the city.
• Wastewater Treatment and Collection. The goals and policies of this plan establish strategies and recommendations to plan for future wastewater treatment facility needs to support build out of the community.
• Solid Waste Services. The plan contains policies to continue and enhance solid waste services through implementation of residential and non-residential recycling services and medical / hazardous waste disposal. 
• Stormwater and Floodplain Management. The goals and policies of the plan are intended to reduce damage and minimize risk associated with flood conditions and include a recommendation for a floodplain management program to identify strategies, projects and measures to reduce flood hazard impacts in San Luis. This element recommends a future Drainage Master Plan and Stormwater Management Plan to address stormwater and floodplain management in San Luis.

Safety Element
The Safety Element provides a survey of police, fire and emergency management services for the City of San Luis and establishes policy guidance to ensure a safe future for residents, businesses and visitors. The key components and community topics of the Safety Element include:

• Police - Public Safety Master Plan. The Safety Element provides recommendations for the adoption of a Public Safety Master Plan to ensure San Luis maintains superior public safety resources and response times as the City grows. The master plan will provide recommendations for future staffing, facilities, equipment and technology needed to serve existing and future residents, including potential funding mechanisms.
• Community Policing. The element provides for the implementation of community policing strategies and supporting community partnerships aimed at solving local issues, building trust, and proactively addressing public safety issues.
• Community Resources. The Safety Element provides that the City, in conjunction with school districts, will support programs for at-risk youth and teens to promote positive activities to deter children and young adults from criminal activities and promote civic engagement in youth. This element also identifies policies that support the efforts of neighborhoods and businesses to reduce crime and improve safety through new programs and services.
• Fire Department Master Plan. The Safety Element supports adoption of a Fire Department Master Plan that ensures San Luis maintains superior fire protection, fire suppression, and emergency medical resources and response times as the City grows. The Fire Department Master Plan will provide recommendations for future staffing, facilities, equipment, and technology needed to protect existing and future residents, including potential funding mechanisms.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response. This element supports emergency preparedness and response through formation and/or participation in mutual-aid agreements with other agencies to ensure adequate and appropriate resources, facilities, and other support for emergency and disaster assistance response.

Parks and Recreation Element
The Parks and Recreation Element builds on the existing park system and establishes a solid foundation for a comprehensive and integrated network of parks and recreation facilities to serve existing and future development. The goals and policies of this element support a vibrant, well-designed and active parks and recreation system to strengthen neighborhoods and provide valuable opportunities for social interaction and contributing to the overall health of San Luis and its residents. The Parks and Recreation Element is comprised of the following components and key community topics:

• Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The goals and policies of this element provide recommendations for a future Parks and Recreation Master Plan addressing comprehensive park development, park management, and recreation programming to serve the build-out population contemplated by the FLUM of the San Luis 2040 General Plan. The plan (Transportation Element) also includes a recommendation for a future Active Transportation Plan to further refine the paths and trails concepts outlined by the Parks and Recreation Element.
• Strengthening Existing Parks and Recreation Facilities. The City maintains diverse parks and recreation facilities including pocket parks, neighborhood parks, municipal pools, youth and senior centers and a community park. This element establishes policy guidance to build and enhance the existing parks and recreation system within San Luis.
• Park Classifications. The element establishes four broad park classifications and characteristics for the range of active and passive parks and recreational facilities to serve future growth and development in San Luis. These classifications include Pocket Parks, Neighborhood Parks. Community Parks, and Special Use Parks.
• Parks Funding. This element provides guidance to implement the findings funding strategy and feasibility analysis to improve and expand public services relative to parks, libraries, community education, and recreation programs for San Luis.
• Partnerships. The goals and policies of this element provide for the enhancement and maintenance of parks, trails, and open spaces through public-public and public-private partnerships, volunteer programs, and other agencies or entities as appropriate.

Education 
Quality educational opportunities in the community is a contributing factor in improving quality of life. The education system can attract families and new businesses to San Luis as students of all ages begin preparing to enter the workforce. Education opportunities in San Luis are provided from kindergarten through high school (K-12) ages by public school districts, as well as post-secondary education opportunities. The key community topics addressed by the plan relative to education include:

• Development Coordination. The plan supports continued coordination of upcoming development proposals, including new schools and school expansions, with school districts and other school entities. 
• Safe Routes. The plan supports Improved safety through the development and implementation of a safe routes to school program in conjunction with the Active Transportation Plan recommended by the plan. The plan also includes guidance to minimize pedestrian crossings of major streets by encouraging connectivity between the school and residential development through sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use paths, or open space areas.
• Alignment of Education with Employment. This element provides guidance to work with post-secondary educational institutions to provide skills training, such as career and technical education, that is supportive of existing and future targeted employment industries in San Luis. The element recommends an education needs assessment to determine needs and strategies to encourage undergraduate, graduate, and professional certification programs aligned with the City’s targeted industries.
• Community Education. The element addresses community education in coordination with school districts and other organizations in literacy programs, language learning programs, and computer technology programs.
• Access to Technology. This element provides recommendations to expand and upgrade fiber optic infrastructure in conjunction with public infrastructure development in the community to support residents, businesses, industries, institutions, and public agencies.

Transportation Element
Designing, funding, and constructing an efficient and connected transportation system is vital and essential to provide for the orderly growth and development of the city. This element explores existing and projected transportation facilities and conditions in San Luis and provides the framework and guidance to deliver needed facilities supporting travel in the future.  The Transportation Element is comprised of the following components and key community topics:

• Functional Classification of Roads. This element defines the Functional Classification of Roads comprised of six classifications: Interstate and National Highways, Principal Arterials, Minor Arterials, Major Collectors and Local Roadways. This element establishes minimum right-of-way widths, travel lanes, median widths and sidewalks for all six classifications. 
• Circulation Plan. The Circulation Plan establishes the framework for coordinating construction of the roadway and street network, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and public transit services with development actions anticipated by the Land Use Plan. The Circulation Plan identifies existing and proposed major roadways anticipated to be required to support forecasted travel demand in the MPA.
• Transportation Master Plan. The element provides policy guidance supporting development of a Transportation Master Plan to establish the basis for creating new linkages between the City of San Luis neighborhoods and regional destinations relieving pressure on U.S. Highway 95 (US 95) and Cesar Chavez Boulevard/State Route (SR) 195-Area Service Highway (ASH).
• Active Transportation Plan. This element supports development of an Active Transportation Plan to provide a framework for guiding inclusion of bicycle, pedestrian, and trail infrastructure improvements to make the City of San Luis a safer and more comfortable place to walk, hike or bicycle for recreation as well as transportation to employment and schools. It is intended that this plan will be coordinated with the safe routes to school initiative.
• Access Management Plan. The element recommends adoption an Access Management Plan that incorporates current best practices and addresses changes to the transportation network. The plan recommends the City of San Luis should strive to achieve logical access control that provides permanent protection for all major and minor arterial roadways while maintaining property access rights.
• Public Transportation. The element provides policy guidance to coordinate closely with the Yuma County Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (YCIPTA) and continue to support YCAT to ensure maintenance and improvement of effective and efficient public transit service for City of San Luis and area residents providing local and regional access
• Rails. The transportation element includes policy guidance to support planning efforts relative to a potential rail line connecting Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) to the north with Mexico to the south, possibly integrated with, or near, Port of Entry II. 
• Complete Streets Policy. The element recommends adoption of a Complete Streets Policy that considers a variety of transportation modes – automobile, cycling, walking, public transit, etc. – and promotes safe access and efficient mobility for all users of the City’s publicly-supported and privately-paid transportation infrastructure elements, regardless of age or ability.
• Regional Partnerships. The Transportation Element supports engaging in the cooperative, continuing, and comprehensive planning process with neighboring communities and the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization (YMPO) to ensure adequate and appropriate regional transportation improvements and connections to San Luis. 

Environment Theme
The Environment Theme provides policy guidance supporting a balance between the built and natural environments ensuring protection of the natural resources that contribute to the quality of life in San Luis. The Environment Theme covers four elements that integrate environmental protection with community growth: Environmental Planning, Conservation, Open Space, and Energy.

Environmental Planning Element
Environmental planning seeks to create compatibility between the built and natural environments. This element addresses primary community topics related to environmental planning include air quality, floodplains, and natural hazards.

• Air Quality. This element provides guidance supporting continued participation in ADEQ’s Air Quality Flag Program to support a more informed community.   This element also recommends participation in the development of the State Implementation Plan and continued to work towards improved air quality to meet or exceed the federal and state air quality standards.
• Floodplains. The plan provides guidance to carefully consider future development within the 100-year floodplain to prevent loss of life and property during large storm events, as well as to protect water quality.
• Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This element recommends participation in the updated Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan to identify strategies for mitigating the community’s exposure to the risks imposed by natural hazards.  The element establishes additional policies intended to reduce potential threats to life and property. 

Conservation Element
Protecting and conserving limited resources becomes increasingly important for growing communities. Such limited resources can become irreversibly impacted by encroaching development, effecting the city’s economy, quality of life, and its ability to grow. The Conservation Element addresses these resources including water, land, soils related to agriculture, and aggregates.

• Water Conservation. The plan recommends a water conservation programs to include structured water conservation regulations addressing drought tolerant irrigation standards, rainwater harvesting, irrigation system water budgeting and reduction, and public programs that encourage water conservation practices. 
• Drought Management Plan. The element includes guidance for a Drought Management Plan, consistent with the Arizona Drought Preparedness Plan, to prepare for potential long-term water shortages during drought conditions.
• Land Conservation. There are three Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard conservation areas that are designated within the San Luis planning area, all of which are located on federally owned land through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The plan supports continued coordination with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other agencies as appropriate to support protection of the conservation area for the Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard. A conservation area is also established for the natural Colorado River corridor.
• Agricultural Preservation. This element contains policy guidance to consider the impacts that future surrounding development can have on agriculture. This element recommends that San Luis should work to mitigate fragmentation of agricultural land due to urbanization and to limit incompatible development surrounding agricultural land that can impact the fertility of the soils.
• Aggregates. The element recommends that the City should ensure that aggregate mining operations do not impact incompatible land uses and are consistent with the Arizona Geological Survey.

Open Space Element
As San Luis continues to grow, it will be increasingly important to balance the built environment with open spaces to ensure that is sufficient to support the needs of the community and the environment. The Open Space Element identifies natural open space areas, such as the Colorado River, that should be protected and conserved and established policies relative to natural open space area protection and conservation. The following community topics are addressed by this element:

• Colorado River. One of the most iconic and most sensitive environmental features in the San Luis planning area is the Colorado River, which supports a robust ecosystem. The element provides policy guidance for continued partnership between the City of San Luis and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to ensure that the Colorado River corridor remains natural open space long-term for the mutual benefit of the community and the natural ecosystem.
• Open Space and Development. The element provides strategies to ensure that there is a continual integration of open spaces with the regional open space network as development occurs in San Luis, supporting wildlife movement and biodiversity along with continual vistas of the desert landscape. The element also provides policy guidance to ensure that development adjacent to open space is compatible with the natural environment.
• Open Space and Wildlife Conservation Plan. The element recommends the development and implementation an Open Space and Wildlife Conservation Plan assessing natural open space areas, sensitive habitats, and wildlife corridors within the City's planning area.

Energy Element
Electrical energy is an essential resource that powers most aspects of our daily lives. At present, San Luis has the opportunity to grow with consideration towards energy conservation. This element promotes the efficient use of energy as well as alternative energies to support San Luis while contributing to economic development opportunities. The following key community topics are addressed within this element:

• Energy Efficiency. The element recommends new municipal facility construction integrate energy efficiency measures and existing municipal buildings and facilities should be retrofitted to incorporate energy efficiencies when appropriate. Additionally, the element provides policy guidance to Incentivize utilization of best practices for incorporating energy conservation methods in the design of new development, such as building orientation, window design, and the use of native vegetation for shade around buildings to reduce energy needed for cooling. 
• Alternative Energy. The landscape and climate of San Luis provides potential opportunity for attracting renewable energy businesses in conjunction with the City’s Strategic Plan. The element identifies the opportunity to incorporate alternative energy in the local economy, including large alternative energy projects, such as solar, wind, and natural gas.  
• Sustainable Design. The element supports sustainable design principles in new development, such as LEED certified buildings, renewable energy systems, and green building materials.

Implementation
The Implementation Chapter includes 202 action items to achieve the goals and policies of the General Plan. This set of actions will be carried out over the next 20 years to help accomplish the vision, goals, and policies adopted in the City of San Luis 2040 General Plan. The Implementation Plan is organized by the four themes of the plan (Growth, Economy, Environment, and Public Services), as well as by the 19 elements, as found within each theme. The key implementation actions have been identified under each element in this report. 

PROCESS:
The San Luis 2040 General Plan (the plan) serves as the required ten-year update under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §9-461.05 and is intended to be used to guide and inform future decisions relative to land use, public services, infrastructure and resource management. The plan addresses key community issues and opportunities and defines a program for implementation to achieve the shared community vision for the City of San Luis. This report provides an overview, analysis and recommendation relative to the San Luis 2040 General Plan.

Community work on the San Luis 2040 General Plan began in March 2019 with the planning consulting services of Matrix Design Group and involved extensive engagement with the San Luis community to guide development and formation of the plan. The state-mandated 60-day public review period concluded April 19th and this agenda item is the first of two Planning and Zoning Commission public hearings on the plan. This first public hearing includes public comments and Commission discussion with no action, with a formal recommendation occurring at the second public hearing. Following City Council consideration and adoption, the San Luis 2040 General Plan will be submitted for ratification by the City of San Luis registered voters in November 2020.

Development of the plan was guided and informed by an extensive community engagement plan including three community workshops, a community open house, stakeholder interviews, project website, informational brochures and online surveys. These community engagement opportunities resulted in a clear understanding of key community issues and opportunities that should be addressed within the plan. A steering committee comprised of community stakeholders, including members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council and various community agencies provided overall project guidance and direction throughout the process.

The San Luis 2040 General Plan is comprised of four theme chapters, Growth, Economy, Public Services, and Environment. These four theme chapters are comprised of 19 elements exploring the complete range of community topics including land use, transportation, growth, economic development, cost of development, parks and recreation, public safety, public services, water resources, safety. housing, community preservation, open space, arts and culture, education, conservation, energy, and environmental planning. This report provides a detailed summary of each theme and element of the plan and identifies key community topics addressed within the goals, policies, and implementation steps of the plan. Major themes from the San Luis 2040 General Plan include downtown enhancement and revitalization, planning for future activity centers and employment areas, enhancing housing diversity, and sound fiscal public facilities and infrastructure planning, funding, and development.

The plan defines 202 action items to move toward implementation of the San Luis 2040 General Plan, intended to be completed over the 20-year plan horizon to accomplish the plan vision.  These next steps are studies and plans addressing the key community topics including a Downtown Specific Plan and Urban Design Study, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Active Transportation Plan (bicycle and pedestrian), and numerous amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to implement plan goals and elements. 

The San Luis 2040 General Plan reflects the aspirational vision and community goals for San Luis and builds on, celebrates, and advances the positive aspects of San Luis. The resulting plan establishes a positive, comprehensive, and long-range vision of San Luis’s future encompassing the economy, community, growth and the environment.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING #1
On May 5th, 2020, the San Luis Planning and Zoning Commission held the first of two public hearings required by Arizona State Statutes when considering the City’s 10 Year General Plan update. 

At the first Public Hearing, the Commission heard from two stakeholders.  The first, resident Gene Darby submitted a letter, which was read into the record, applauding the General Plan and supporting a recommendation of adoption to the City Council.  The second, a representative of a property owner stated that her group was evaluating alternate land uses for their property and requested that the General Plan hearings and adoption be delayed.  This request was considered and discussed by the Commission, and although no action was taken on the request, the Commission felt that the 15-month process, inclusive of the mandatory 60-day public review of the draft plan was sufficient for the development of the plan and that no delay was warranted.

In addition to the stakeholder comments, several of the Commission members had comments and supportive remarks of the General Plan.  The Commission comments generally centered on additional reviews of the mapping to ensure the maps include the latest GIS street and subdivision information and ensuring that proposed trails and facilities are properly located in generally acceptable locations.

Following all comments, the Chair closed the hearing and the Commission continued the case for action the May 12th Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING #2
On May 12th, 2020, the San Luis Planning and Zoning Commission held the second of two public hearings required by Arizona State Statutes when considering the City's 10-year General Plan update. 

The Planning and Zoning Commission forwarded General Plan Case No. 2020-01 to City Council with recommendation of approval as presented by staff. 

RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval and adoption of General Plan Case No. 2020-01 and Resolution No. 2134.