During a meeting of the Holbrook City Council, with the absence of Vice Mayor Mike Nilsson and Councilmember Robert Black, adopted its 2026 General Plan, a comprehensive policy document intended to guide the city’s growth, land use decisions and long-term development through the next decade.
The document acknowledges that the 2026 update builds upon previous plans adopted in 1997 and 2005 and incorporates public input gathered through surveys, workshops and planning studies. Public involvement included a survey and the Central Holbrook Area-Wide Planning Study, as well as multiple public meetings held in 2024.
The Land Use element establishes the city’s overall development framework and includes a vision statement outlining priorities for future growth. The plan identifies nearly 15 square miles within the city limits as the primary area of focus and distinguishes between the policy role of the General Plan and the regulatory role of zoning.
Residential development is addressed extensively. The plan states that Holbrook has seen “potential for high-quality housing development” but also acknowledges demand for rental and entry-level housing. The plan notes that one objective is to encourage construction of high-quality affordable housing including multi-family, planned unit development and special-needs housing. It also emphasizes infrastructure improvements such as curbs, gutters, sidewalks and adequate street lighting to support neighborhood quality.
Downtown revitalization and historic preservation are recurring themes. The document calls for preserving Holbrook’s character “as a historic rural community with vibrant commercial, retail, professional and government elements without hindering growth.” It encourages architectural compatibility and investment in historic areas, including the downtown district and the cemetery, which the plan describes as an important community asset that could serve as a cultural and tourism resource.
Economic development is addressed in the context of diversification, particularly following the closure of the Cholla Power Plant. The plan states that diversification of employment remains a key objective and encourages development of industrial parks and infrastructure. It calls for strengthening economic ties with local tribes and promoting agribusiness, warehousing and transportation-related activities. One goal noted is to create local employment opportunities, particularly targeting well-paying jobs with career prospects.
The plan also highlights the Holbrook Municipal Airport as a potential economic driver. It proposes pursuing grants, updating the Airport Master Plan and investigating commercial aviation and adjacent industrial development. It notes that the airport’s location and available land present opportunities for growth and suggests evaluating “real estate residential housing opportunities with access to runways.”
The Circulation element focuses on transportation infrastructure, recognizing Holbrook’s location along Interstate 40, U.S. 180 and state routes 77 and 377. It states that transportation infrastructure “directly impacts land use and economic development.” The city currently maintains approximately 40 miles of streets. The plan calls for comprehensive street maintenance, drainage improvements and coordination with agencies such as the Arizona Department of Transportation and Navajo County. It also encourages investigating rail service opportunities and improving access to commercial centers and tourism destinations.
Environmental Planning addresses water, land and air quality, as well as emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation. The document states, “Maintaining high quality water, land and air resources shall be achieved through appropriate location and monitoring of development.” It identifies priorities such as reviewing hazardous materials plans, addressing stormwater flooding, evaluating renewable energy potential and promoting ecotourism. The plan emphasizes that environmental planning is a municipal responsibility and that development in sensitive areas such as floodplains should be carefully considered.
The 2026 General Plan will serve as the city’s guiding policy document for land use, infrastructure investment and community development decisions over the coming years. While it does not itself change zoning or authorize specific projects, it establishes the framework within which future zoning amendments, capital improvement projects and development proposals will be evaluated.
During the meeting, the council also:
* Heard a presentation by Linda Kor regarding Grow Arizona Workforce Network and Holbrook High School senior Aubrey Ramat regarding the importance of Grow Arizona’s newly opened Bijou Teen Center to the teens in the community.
* Heard a presentation by Northland Pioneer College President Dr. Von Lawson regarding the value of the college to the community and how grateful he is to be serving the people in his capacity.
* Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Holbrook Senior Center in which the city agrees to cover the utility and maintenance costs for the building used by the center as well as provide a $3,000 per month budget.
* Authorized acceptance of a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for $104,669 for resealing the runways at the Holbrook Municipal Airport, requiring a local match of $2,616.
* Approved an application to the state liquor board for a special event liquor license for the Empty Pockets Saloon to host a beer garden on its property located at 2110 Navajo Blvd., on May 30.
* Approved a contract with Double J Contracting, LLC, to remove the concrete slab at the city’s splash pad and put down a new one at a cost of $51,374.
