Planning Commission April 14, 2010

Southern ScottsdaleCharacter Area Plan

Plan Overview &Major General Plan Amendment

Initiation Discussion

Planning CommissionApril 14, 2010

Presentation Summary

• Plan Purpose/Process– Background– Common Themes– Key Draft Plan Concepts

• Initiation of the Major General Plan Amendment– Process– Proposed Amendments

• Next Steps

2001 GP Three Levels of PlanningAs stated in the General Plan, Scottsdale has a three level planning approach:

1. General Plan• Broad, citywide guiding principles

2. Character Plan• Vision and role of an area

3. Neighborhood Plan • Detailed, specific planning

Character Area Plans• 2001 General Plan originally

identified 24 Character Areas

• Cactus Corridor, Desert Foothills, Dynamite Foothills, Downtown – adopted

• 20 Character Areas remaining without final plans

Character Area Plans

Six Character Areas:• Downtown (adopted 2009)• Southern Scottsdale (2010)• Greater Airpark (2010)• Shea Corridor (2012)•McDowell Vistas (TBD)• Tonto Foothills (TBD)

Southern Scottsdale Character Area Plan

Plan Purpose– Establish a Vision for Southern

Scottsdale– Guide Policy Decisions– Establish an Implementation

Framework

Plan Boundary

BackgroundCharacter Area Planning• March-Oct 2008 Initial Public Outreach Phase• November 2008-May 2009 Existing Conditions Analysis

& Economic Analysis• April 2009- Mayor’s McDowell Road Corridor/South

Scottsdale Economic Development Summit• May 2009- Planning Commission presentation of

Community Visioning and Existing Conditions• May 2009-February 2010- McDowell Corridor/South

Scottsdale Economic Development Task Force• June 2009-March 2010 Plan Drafting • April 2010-Planning Commission Initiation of a General

Plan Major Amendment

Draft Vision Statement

Southern Scottsdale is a diverse, sustainable, community built upon vibrant neighborhoods, thriving economic corridors, and innovative businesses.

Existing Condition Themes

Top Five Character Area Priorities:

• Economic revitalization and reinvestment;

• Housing diversity and affordability;

• Transportation variety and connectivity;

• Reexamination of land use and zoning regulation; and

• Increased capacity of existing infrastructure

Community Outreach Themes

Citizen Participation Identified Top Five Priorities• Develop a Strong Economic

Core with Community Gathering Places

• Focus on Local Mobility and Walkability

• Maintain and Enhance Existing Neighborhoods and Identity

• Balance Growth• Promote Well designed

Architecture and Sustainability

Draft Plan Structure• Executive Summary• Land use, Growth/Activity Areas• Character and Design• Economic Vitality• Neighborhood Revitalization• Housing• Community Mobility• Public Services and Facilities• Open Space and Recreation• Preservation and Environmental Planning• Glossary• Related Plans, Ordinances & Documents• Implementation Matrix

Key Components of the Draft Plan• Encourage Infill, Redevelopment, and

Economic Development• Encourage more Mixed Use Development• Expand Growth Area and add Activity Areas• Focus Development on Corridors and

Regional Centers and Activity Areas• Protect Neighborhoods While Providing

Workforce Housing• Improve Mobility and Non-motorized

Transportation • Enhance pedestrian spaces while preserving

historic and natural resources• Preserve and Promote Tourism• Promote Sustainability and Recreation

Major GP Amendment Purpose

An amendment to Scottsdale’s General Plan is defined as a major amendment if it meets any one of the following criteria:– Change in Land Use Category – Area of Change –acreage– Character Area Criteria– Water/ Wastewater Infrastructure Criteria

Major GP Amendment Process

• Requires a City Council public hearing in same year as submitted

• Requires remote hearing of Planning Commission for public input

• Requires regular public hearing for recommendation

• Requires 2/3 super majority vote of City Council to adopt the amendment

Major GP Amendment Purpose

• Land use category changes and gross acreage changes = Major General Plan Amendment

• Non-Major components of proposal:– Character Area Map changes– Growth Area Map Changes– Adoption of plan

Major Amendment-Land Use Designation

Non-Major Amendment-Growth Area MapGrowth Area-is where future development is

focused-mixed uses and multi-modal transportation are most appropriate in these areas. One New Growth Area1. Scottsdale Road

Activity Areas-are areas where Development is concentrated but to aLesser degree then in a Growth Area

Four New Activity Areas1. Thomas/Crosscut2. Continental 3. McDonald4. Indian Bend

Non-Major Amendment-Character Area Map

DRAFT Character Area Change2001 General Plan Character Areas

Non-Major AmendmentSouthern Scottsdale Character Area Plan

• Adoption of the Southern Scottsdale Character Area Plan

Next Steps• Planning Commission Work Study Session-May 19, 2010• Community Input (Boards, Commissions, Community Road Shows)-

May-September 2010• Adoption Process-April-October 2010• Major General Plan Amendment Public Hearing Process

– Initiation-April 14, 2010– Application Submittal -April 23, 2010– Planning Commission Study Session-GP Cases Overview-May 26, 2010– Open House 1 and 2 (tentatively) @ SkySong Morning/Evening sessions- June

17, 2010 – Planning Commission Remote Hearing-August 25, 2010– Planning Commission Hearing/ Possible Recommendation-September 22,

2010• City Council Considers Adoption-October 2010