The November 3rd General Election ballot will include an item that only comes around every 10 years: approval of Maricopa's General Plan. This is only the second time residents have voted on it, the first being in 2016.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of voter approval. If you have never voted on it before, or are unsure of what it is, let me share some key points.
Per Arizona state law, this document provides language that shapes Maricopa's land use and development over the next decade. Voter approval is required, and it has no impact on property taxes. A lot changes in ten years, which makes approving this equally important as those you elect, if not more so.
The General Plan is a policy document directly tied to land use and development within our Municipal Planning Area, which covers approximately 233 square miles, with our current city boundaries encompassing approximately 43 square miles. Every potential development project in the city begins with the same question: Does this project conform to the General Plan?
The plan can be formally amended when conditions warrant it, but the process is deliberate and intentional, as changes may alter the development baseline. Changes typically require public hearings, Planning and Zoning Commission review and recommendation, and in some cases a supermajority City Council vote.
The General Plan sets goals, land use designations, our growth framework, and the policy direction expected to align with municipal planning and zoning decisions. Topics include:
- Housing and zoning designations
- Transportation and circulation
- Commercial development sites
- Employment potential and job creation
- Water resources, environmental planning, and long-term infrastructure capacity
- Parks, trails, and open space standards
- Economic development
- Public safety infrastructure and services
Approval is a two-step process. Step 1: two-thirds majority approval by City Council on content. Step 2: simple voter majority for ratification. If ratification fails, the existing 2016 General Plan remains in effect, and state law requires the City to hold additional elections to obtain ratification. Additional elections carry significant costs, take time, and can result in adherence to outdated standards or stalled development due to missing standards.
The General Plan is our city's owner's manual, and there have been significant changes in Maricopa since the last ratification in 2016. What has changed? The SR-347 project, the proposed Industrial Triangle, village centers, housing affordability and the corresponding gap, water availability and projected usage assurances, to name just a few.
I firmly believe a General Plan is only as good as the elected officials who oversee its implementation and maintain accountability. I seek a seat on Council to do precisely that. My 3-year tenure on Planning and Zoning exposed me to rezonings, conditional use permits, subdivision plats, and variance requests, all of which were evaluated against the General Plan.
Maricopa grows at about 4% annually, with population estimates projecting over 100,000 residents before 2040. Growth at that pace does not pause while governance catches up. Today's decisions impact tomorrow's quality of life, and it starts with the General Plan. Your vote to elect me to City Council will enable me to be part of those decisions.
I have a vision for Maricopa's future growth and sustainability. If elected, I will advocate for smart growth and push for more specificity in critical areas:
- Measurable performance indicators and ongoing public feedback
- A defined Downtown Core
- A housing diversity framework covering the full range of options and price points
- Active recruitment of healthcare providers, particularly regional medical facilities in east Maricopa
My Planning and Zoning experience and General Plan feedback affirm the need for specific, binding commitments and well-defined standards to shape our future. A vague plan results in decisions by persuasion rather than purpose. The best outcomes demand clear definition, articulated expectations, measurements, and continuity.
Personal feedback and my vision for Maricopa are included in the Advancing Maricopa Plan. For recommendations, observations, measurable outcomes, and visual concepts, visit this link. Thank you for reading, and please remember to vote on November 3rd. Your voice and your vote matter.