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