The City of Winslow’s General Plan serves as the foundational roadmap that will guide the city’s development and growth over the next decade. This comprehensive document encompasses a wide range of critical elements, from land use and transportation to housing, public services, and environmental sustainability. It outlines the city’s vision, goals, and strategies for achieving a vibrant and prosperous future for its residents.
In an ongoing effort to ensure that the general plan truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the community, the city is actively seeking input from its residents. There will be a public meeting scheduled at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Hubble Building, located at 523 W. Second St., where citizens can voice their opinions and contribute to the plan’s refinement.
It’s important to note that the general plan is a dynamic document that is still in the process of being amended and improved. The city is eager to receive community feedback and involvement as they work towards its finalization. Residents interested in reviewing the current draft of the city’s general plan can access it on the homepage of the city’s website at winslowaz.gov.
Some residents have concerns over the current draft of the general plan. Ann Schmidt, who has addressed the city council several times with her concerns with the plan, that revolve around critical aspects such as water supply and conservation, transparency, and the balance of power in decision-making processes. She would like to see the city’s citations for certain claims made by the general plan, specifically when it says “the City’s water supply has been deemed adequate for a population of between 25,000 and 30,000 persons.” She underscored the necessity of gathering more information about the water supply before determining usage limits, stressing the importance of preserving this vital resource for future generations. Additionally, she advocates for reestablishing the Planning & Zoning Commission and greater citizen involvement in shaping the community’s future.
Holly Wagner’s concerns with the general plan revolve around the same two pivotal issues: preserving water resources and advocating for the re-establishment of the Planning and Zoning Commission. She believes that the general plan should incorporate specific language mandating that manufacturers, particularly those utilizing valuable resources like water, commit to creating a certain number of jobs for water they plan to use. Additionally, Wagner concurs with Schmidt’s call for the re-establishment of the Planning and Zoning Commission saying that “no one person should have all that power.”
When the city held its first public hearing for the general plan there was several residents who turned out to voice their opinions. Concerns and comments were voiced about a myriad of different topics. Planning and Zoning Hearing Officer Jason Sanks addressed the city council the next day with a comprehensive list of citizens’ comments for the council to consider. As Winslow potentially enters into an era of vast development, getting a document like this is a balancing act that must balance creating environment businesses want to invest in and making sure that isn’t at the cost of the citizens.
In response to some of these concerns, City Manager David Coolidge addressed the issues of water preservation and the dissolution of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Regarding water, Coolidge emphasized the city’s commitment to responsible resource management, stating, “During the development review process, the city requires any developer to provide third-party studies on water usage and demand.” He assured that they are vigilant in ensuring that developers build necessary infrastructure and implement reclamation processes to mitigate water demand, if necessary, with the primary focus always being on securing an adequate water supply for residents.
When it comes to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Coolidge explains the factors that led to the decision to move towards a hearing officer. He points out that the commission faced challenges with multiple vacancies, despite advertising efforts. These vacancies affected the commission’s ability to maintain a quorum and conduct business, resulting in delays and cancellations. Coolidge also highlighted a specific case where a local resident had to endure a six-month wait for a conditional use permit during the timeframe marked by these challenges. This is why the city ultimately moved towards a hearing officer to conduct these meetings, that are still open to the public and according to Coolidge have only ever been canceled due to lack of items on the agenda.
The city’s general plan is a document that can shape the future of the city and public involvement is crucial. To become involved in the shaping of this document residents can make their voice heard at the Dec. 12 meeting or by submitting comments on the city’s website.
