apache junction 2010 general plan

140 Pages·2011·2.58 MB·English

APACHE JUNCTION
2010 GENERAL PLAN
September 7, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ………………………… 5
CHAPTER 2: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION …………………………….. 11
CHAPTER 3: COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHICS …………………………… 14
CHAPTER 4: LAND USE ELEMENT ………………………………………… 23
CHAPTER 5: CIRCULATION ELEMENT ……………………………………. 35
CHAPTER 6: GROWTH AREA ELEMENT …………………………………. 44
CHAPTER 7: ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING ELEMENT………………… 51
CHAPTER 8: COST OF DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT……………………… 59
CHAPTER 9: PARKS, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT…. 64
CHAPTER 10: WATER RESOURCES ELEMENT ………………………… 81
CHAPTER 11: PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES ELEMENT ……….. 89
CHAPTER 12: HOUSING ELEMENT ……………………………………… 99
CHAPTER 13: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT……………….. 110
CHAPTER 14: ENERGY ELEMENT………………………………………… 119
CHAPTER 15: AMENDING THE GENERAL PLAN……………………….. 123
CHAPTER 16: IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM ………………………….. 129
GLOSSARY …………………………………………………………………….. 133

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LIST OF MAPS:
MAP 1-1: REGIONAL LOCATION MAP ............................................... 10
MAP 4-1: LAND USE PLAN MAP...................................................... 31
MAP 4-2: PLANNING AREA MAP ……………………………………………………. 32
MAP 4-3: LAND OWNERSHIP MAP ………………………………………………… 33
MAP 4-4: CHARACTER DISTRICT MAP ……………………………………………… 34
MAP 5-1: STREET CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAP ………………………………… 41
MAP 5-2: EQUESTRIAN AND BIKE CONCEPT MAP ………………………………. 42
MAP 5-3: SIDEWALK SYSTEM MAP ………………………………………………… 43
MAP 6-1: GROWTH AREA MAP ……………………………………………………… 49
MAP 6-2: DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN …………………… 50
MAP 7-1: NATURAL RESOURCE MAP ………………………………………………. 58
MAP 9-1: EXISTING AND FUTURE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE MAP ……………. 70
MAP 10-1: WATER SERVICE AREA MAP…………………………………………… 83
MAP 11-1: FIRE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA BOUNDARY MAP …………………… 95
MAP 11-2: PUBLIC FACILITIES MAP ……………………………………………… 96
MAP 11-3: SEWERAGE DISTRICT MAP ……………………………………………. 97
MAP 11-4: APACHE JUNCTION UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MAP …………… 98
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The preparation of the 2010 General Plan was made possible by the citizens,
business owners, landowners, federal, state and local agencies, and stakeholders
working collaboratively with the Apache Junction City Council, Planning and
Zoning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and staff. The City would
like to extend its appreciation to all for their active participation, thoughtful input,
and commitment to ensuring a secure and proud future.

APPROVALS:
The Apache Junction City Council approved the 2010 General Plan on September
7, 2010.
The Apache Junction voters approved the 2010 General Plan at the March 8,
2011, election.

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CHAPTER 1: Introduction and Overview

What is a General Plan?
The term “General Plan” describes a general, comprehensive, long-range statement of goals,
and related policies to guide future growth and development within a community. The General
Plan is comprehensive because it seeks to coordinate all of the interrelated systems and
properties within the City of Apache Junction (“City” or “Apache Junction”). While the plan
guides the physical development, it also deals indirectly with social and political issues.

A General Plan is: A General Plan is not:
• More than a land use map • A rigid, static document
• A statement of policy • A zoning ordinance
• An expression of community intentions • A detailed development plan
• A guide to decision making • A Capital Improvement Plan
• A presentation of long-term perspectives • A tool to promote special interests
• A way to improve quality of life
• A legal mandate.

Why Does Apache Junction Need a General Plan?
All jurisdictions are required by A.R.S. § 9-461.05 to have a General Plan to guide future land
use and development in their community. The plan elements included in the General Plan are
determined by the size of the jurisdiction. Apache Junction, like all Arizona jurisdictions with
populations between 10,000 and 50,000 persons, is required to include the following elements
in its plan: land use, circulation, open space, environmental, growth areas, cost of
development, and water element. Because the City has substantial growth potential, the plan
also includes some of the elements required by state law for jurisdictions with populations of
more than 50,000 persons. These elements include public services and facilities, housing,
energy, and economic development.
Purpose of the 2010 General Plan
The 2010 General Plan, which is an amendment to the 1999 General Plan, serves as an
expression of development policies to guide development decisions. It spells out public
expectations and preferences for the future. Through a series of public forums and work
sessions, Apache Junction residents have set goals and objectives for the following eleven
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Planning Elements, as authorized by the Growing Smarter Act, and more specifically ARS § 9-
461.05.
Land Use
Circulation
Water Resources
Growth Area
Environmental Planning
Cost of Development
Open Space
Public Services and Facilities
Housing
Economic Development
Energy

Apache Junction Planning History
The City of Apache Junction recognizes the importance of community planning. Map 1-1
illustrates the location of Apache Junction within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Soon after
municipal incorporation in 1978, dedicated local residents drafted the first General Plan. It was
later amended in 1987 and then again in 1999. Following a decade of change to the community,
and pursuant to state law requirements, it again became necessary to update the plan by
reaching out to the citizens for a fresh look at the future of the community. This document is
organized to list broad, general goals for civic improvements and to recommend actions for
achieving these goals through citizen involvement in the current and future planning processes.
The Planning Area for the City of Apache Junction is comprised of the following two
components (see Map 4-2 for Planning Area illustration).
Area Within the City Limits: 34.8 square miles
Area of Influence Beyond the City Limits: 60 square miles (approximate)
General Plan Organization
The 2010 General Plan is designed for use by all city residents, businesses, property owners,
developers, staff, and elected and appointed officials. The document is divided into chapters
that address Community Participation; Land Use; Circulation/Transportation; Growth Areas;
Environmental Planning; Park, Recreation, and Open Space; Water Resources; Public Services
and Facilities; Housing; Energy; Economic Development; and Implementation Strategies. The
chapters addressing plan elements include, among other things, goals, objectives, and policies
to guide future decision-making. The terms “goal,” “objective,”“policy”, and “strategy” are
described as follows:
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Goal: A desired end or target that, if pursued over the long-term, will contribute to the
attainment of the community vision.

Objective: A desired short-term end that, if accomplished in conjunction with other
objectives, causes a goal to be achieved.

Policy: A specific statement that guides decision-making to implement the general plan.

Strategy: The means by which a goal or objective will be accomplished.

Vision Statement
The people of Apache Junction envision their future community as a distinctive place that is
unique in its friendliness, attractive and livable to its residents, and welcoming to its visitors. An
attractive City image will result from planned improvements such as a unified downtown
activity center, transportation improvements, water conservation, wildlife habitats and other
natural resources. A citizen-driven plan calls for a balance of elements that emphasizes outdoor
living enjoyment and the ability for all people to live, work and play in a wholesome, vital and
secure environment.
The General Plan Process
The following outlines the chronology of public meetings regarding the 2010 General Plan:
Planning & Zoning Commission Meetings:
June 9, 2009
June 23, 2009
July 14, 2009
July 28, 2009
August 11, 2009 (Discussion on Chapters 1-4)
August 25, 2009 (Discussion on Chapters 5 and 6)
September 8, 2009 (Discussion on Chapters 7 and 8)
October 13, 2009 (Discussion on Chapters 10 and 14)
January 12, 2010 (Discussion on Chapters 11 and 12)
January 26, 2010 (Discussion on Chapters 9 and 13)
March 9, 2010 (Discussion on Chapter 15)
July 13, 2010 (Discussion on General Plan maps)
August 10, 2010 (1st public hearing)
August 24, 2010 (2nd public hearing; recommended approval of plan)

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City Council Meetings:
June 16, 2009
July 6, 2009
August 18, 2009
September 14, 2009 (Briefing on Chapters 1-5)
November 1, 2009 (Briefing on Chapters 6, 7, 8, and 14)
February 1, 2010 (Chapters 11, 12, and 13)
March 1, 2010 (Briefing on Chapter 9)
April 19, 2010 (Briefing on Chapter 15)
August 17, 2010 (Briefing of draft plan)
September 7, 2010 (Public hearing and approval of plan)

Park Commission Meetings:
September 2, 2009
October 7, 2009
November 4, 2009
February 3, 2010
March 3, 2010
June 3, 2010
August 4, 2010 (Approved Chapter 9))

Open Houses
April 29, 2010 (6pm to 8:30pm)
May 6, 2010 (6pm to 8:30pm)

Relationship to Other Documents
The Plan is the long-range policy document that serves as a “blueprint” for growth,
development, and preservation in Apache Junction. There are other documents that guide
implementation of the Plan including the Apache Junction zoning ordinance, subdivision
regulations, zoning map and capital improvement plans. This planning effort involved the
efforts and coordination of federal, state, local, and regional agencies, as well as other private
organizations. As the Plan is implemented, this coordination will continue.
With the adoption of the 2010 General Plan, the following documents are incorporated by
reference and considered implementation tools of this plan:

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The City of Apache Junction City Code.
The City of Apache Junction 2004 Small Area Transportation Plan.
The City of Apache Junction 2010 Downtown Redevp. and Implementation Strategy
The City of Apache Junction Downtown Infill Incentive District Plan.
The City of Apache Junction 2002 Master Stormwater Management Plan.
The City of Apache Junction 2003 Street Circulation and Access Study.
What is the General Plan Impact?
The 2010 General Plan does not change existing zoning. In other words, if property is currently
zoned and not in conformance with the adopted plan, the property may be developed
according to the in-place zoning. While proposed zoning must conform to the adopted plan, the
plan is not set in concrete. State law requires general plans to define major amendments to a
general plan and how they are processed. A two-thirds vote of the City Council is required to
approve a major amendment to the General Plan and state law limits presentation of major
amendments to a single public hearing before Council during the calendar year the proposal for
the amendment is made.
The 2010 General Plan affects every resident and business in Apache Junction because it
provides guidance to the public and private entities about the types and locations of public
facilities, private development, and infrastructure residents and businesses desire. Since the
general plan elements are related to one another and should be considered collectively in the
decision-making process, select excerpted statements should not be taken out of context.
Smart Growth Principles
The following listing represents the ten nationally accepted Smart Growth principles. The 2010
Apache Junction General Plan addresses these principles as part of the goals, objectives, and
strategies for each of the plan elements:
1. Create Range of Housing Opportunities and Choices.
2. Create Walkable Neighborhoods.
3. Create Range of Housing Opportunities and Choices.
4. Foster Distinctive, Attractive Communities with a Strong Sense of Place.
5. Make Development Decisions Predictable, Fair and Cost Effective.
6. Mix Land Uses.
7. Preserve Open Space, Farmland, Natural Beauty and Critical Environmental Areas.
8. Provide a Variety of Transportation Choices.
9. Strengthen and Direct Development Towards Existing Communities.
10. Take Advantage of Compact Building Design.
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