Phoenix to annex 39 square miles

[Explorer]

We should do all we can to oppose this land grab as it is encroaching on the Table Mesa area!!

Fast-growing Phoenix is poised to burst the Valley's seams, extending its boundaries north nearly to Yavapai County by annexing a chunk of undeveloped land the size of Tempe.

As many as 80,000 people could someday live and work along the 11-mile stretch of Interstate 17 north of the Carefree Highway. The City Council adopted a preliminary land-use blueprint Wednesday, though city planners say they don't expect to see any actual construction for another 10-15 years.

The proposal has angered Maricopa and Yavapai county officials, who accused Phoenix of moving too far north too quickly. Supervisors in both counties passed resolutions opposing the annexation, but they lack authority to block it.

"For one, I just don't want the city of Phoenix that close to me and I don't want it that close to Black Canyon City," said Yavapai County Supervisor Lorna Street.

The annexation would add 39 square miles to Phoenix, already the nation's fifth-largest city by area, and could place new strains on the region's transportation network, air quality and water supply. The draft plan adopted Wednesday does not specifically address those issues.

Neighboring Peoria, meanwhile, is preparing to annex about 14 square miles just west of the land Phoenix has claimed, creating a wide-open growth corridor that would someday stretch from I-17 west toward the White Tank Mountains and north to the county line.

Both annexation plans must first win approval from the State Selection Board, which considers any proposal that involves state trust land parcels. The three-member panel - Gov. Jane Hull, Attorney General Janet Napolitano and Treasurer Carol Springer - meets today at the capitol.

The smattering of people who live in the rugged area are watching the plan closely. Duane Loose moved 40 miles north of downtown Phoenix six years ago to escape the hustle and bustle of traffic, noise and arm-to-arm strip malls. The 43-year-old mechanical engineer, who lives adjacent to the proposed annexation, wants to stop the development of high desert land filled of saguaros, wildlife and trails.

"We're country people out here," said Loose, whose closest neighbor is a quarter of a mile away. "It's very slow, very rural. I have total peace and quiet to take my dogs hiking and hang on the back of the porch and enjoy the peacefulness."

Under the plan, Phoenix will add a 15th village, or planning area, for the estimated 65,000 to 80,000 people who will be living there within two decades. Conceptual land-use plans also call for the creation of 35,000 to 70,000 jobs by the time the area is built-out with retail businesses and industrial and public uses. About 11,100 acres will be untouched, set aside for parks, trails and open space.

Though building isn't expected there for at least 15 years, officials say it is critical to pounce on the land now so it can plan and control its development, which takes decades.

"We would rather get there first and have it go through our development processes verses letting it happen in the county and then getting it piecemeal," said Alan Stephenson, a Phoenix city planner. "(And) it takes a long time from a land-use standpoint . . . to look at transportation plans, water and sewer and open space studies."

Despite questions from surrounding cities about Phoenix's motives, officials say they're best-suited to oversee the area's growth.

"Nobody's going to be able to stop (growth)," said Rick Naimark, executive assistant to the city manager. "The Valley's going to continue to grow. The real question is who has the capacity professionally to plan it to make sure it has the quality infrastructure and that sort of thing. We're protecting it from hodge-podge development."

Phoenix first proposed annexing much of the land more than two years ago, but ran into opposition from Peoria, which had included some of the same area in its long-range plans. The two cities clashed over their competing proposals but ultimately agreed to seek a compromise.

That compromise turned out to be 75th Avenue, said Debra Stark, Peoria's planning director. Peoria agreed back off to that line and Phoenix agreed not to cross it.

"If anything I look at this as a good example of two cities coming together and actually working together in a joint planning effort, which doesn't happen that often," Stark said. She acknowledged that Peoria still envisions lower-density development along its side of the land and may preserve a wide swath near Lake Pleasant.

Maricopa County Supervisor Andy Kunasek said that he doesn't oppose most of the Phoenix annexation proposal, but he said he doesn't want to see Phoenix claim land he had hoped to preserve. He'll appear at the state board meeting today to propose a compromise by asking Phoenix to draw the line at the New River Road interchange on I-17.

In any case, both Phoenix and Peoria planners say there's still ample time to consider questions about growth and resource needs. Stark said Peoria foresees no development in the new areas for a decade or more and Phoenix officials agreed.

"They're not going to bring anyone out there to be building a week or two weeks from now," said Stephenson.

[YellowSub1962]

who do we call - fax - write to???

got any contact info on anyone?

[Explorer]

I have no contact info yet. I'm going to keep my eyes open for any more info.

[Explorer]

[Explorer]

They are running a poll asto whether or not the new annexation is a good idea:
http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/pol...oll&page=/news

[Desert Lady]

Hey everyone. I'm a friend of Mikey's (McSoo) and have lurked around this board awhile but never posted. I am an admin at nissan4wheelers.com

We've been talking about this subject today. I called the BLM office and talked to Chris. He said to call the State Land Department at 602-542-4631 and ask to talk to someone in charge of or with the "selection committee" for the Phoenix city annex. They are supposed to make their decision within the next week or 2. Chris said that the BLM has fought this, but no luck.

If you want, you can check out the thread we have going for any updates.

Phoenix Annex thread

[Desert Lady]

Also, for those interested, there's the first of several planning workshops scheduled for the Agua Fria and Bradshaw mountain area scheduled for Dec. 14 9am - 12:30pm at the LaQuinta at 2510 W Greenway, Phoenix. Red shirts welcome!

For more information - go to the AZ BLM website and click on the calendar of events, or follow this post.

[Explorer]

Just called the State Land department 602-542-4631 and I left a message with Gordon Taylor. I was told he was the person I needed to speak with.

[Erich In AZ]

Let us know what you find out Rick. I'll throw this up on my board also. Never hurts!

[Explorer]

Phoenix agreed Thursday to reduce by nearly 9,000 acres its request to annex a broad swath of undeveloped land in the far north Valley, allowing Maricopa County to include the area in its plans for a future park.

City officials signed off on the deal a few hours before the annexation request went before the State Selection Board, which must consider actions involving state trust land. The board approved the request Thursday morning after hearing from city and county representatives.

Maricopa County had objected to Phoenix's original plan, which called for annexing 39 square miles west of Interstate 17 and north of the Carefree Highway. County officials said the city's proposal could interfere with long-term preservation of the rugged areas north of the New River Road interchange.

"I think everyone recognized that these lands north of New River Road were best suited as preserved open space," said Maricopa County Supervisor Andy Kunasek, whose district encompasses the north Valley. "This lets us keep all the park areas in one jurisdiction."



Related link
• Far North Valley likely to be next hot spot
• Graphic: Plans carved out for northwestern Phoenix, Valley
• Poll: Is Phoenix's plan to expand by 39 square miles a good idea?
Kunasek envisions extending the county's Lake Pleasant Regional Park east all the way to the Tonto National Forest's western boundaries, creating a band of open space that would provide recreation for Valley residents as well as a buffer for rural areas north of Phoenix.

By lopping off the northern end, Phoenix reduced its annexation proposal to about 25 square miles.

Dave Richert, the city's planning chief, said most of the land eliminated would have been set aside as open space anyway, so the change will have little effect on the conceptual land use plan approved by the City Council Wednesday night.

He said for future residents of the area, the deal guarantees ample open space.

"It's still going to be a park," he said. "Jurisdictional issues won't matter to them. It all blends together."

Peoria also agreed to trim its annexation request slightly to match the boundaries created by the city-county deal. That request was also approved by the state board Thursday morning.

Under the plan, Phoenix will add a 15th village, or planning area, for the 65,000 to 80,000 people who are expected to be living there within two decades. Conceptual land-use plans also call for the creation of 35,000 to 70,000 jobs by the time the area is built out with retail businesses and industrial and public uses. About 11,100 acres will be set aside for parks, trails and open space.

Although building isn't expected there for at least 15 years, officials say, it is critical to pounce on the land now so the city can plan and control its development, which takes decades.

"We would rather get there first and have it go through our development processes vs. letting it happen in the county and then getting it piecemeal," said Alan Stephenson, a Phoenix planner. "(And) it takes a long time from a land-use standpoint . . . to look at transportation plans, water and sewer and open-space studies."

Despite questions from neighboring cities about Phoenix's motives, Phoenix officials say they're best-suited to oversee the area's growth.

"Nobody's going to be able to stop (growth)," said Rick Naimark, executive assistant to the Phoenix city manager. "The Valley's going to continue to grow. The real question is: Who has the capacity professionally to plan it to make sure it has the quality infrastructure and that sort of thing? We're protecting it from hodge-podge development."

Phoenix first proposed annexing much of the land more than two years ago but ran into opposition from Peoria, which had included some of the area in its long-range plans. The two cities clashed over their competing proposals but ultimately agreed to seek a compromise.

That compromise turned out to be 75th Avenue, said Debra Stark, Peoria's planning director. Peoria agreed to back off to that line, and Phoenix agreed not to cross it.

"If anything, I look at this as a good example of two cities coming together and actually working together in a joint planning effort, which doesn't happen that often," Stark said. She acknowledged that Peoria envisions lower-density development along its side of the land and may preserve a wide swath near Lake Pleasant.

Maricopa County Supervisor Andy Kunasek said he doesn't oppose most of the Phoenix annexation proposal but doesn't want to see Phoenix claim land he had hoped to preserve. He'll appear at the state board meeting today to propose a compromise by asking Phoenix to draw the line at the New River Road interchange on I-17.

In any case, both Phoenix and Peoria planners say there's still time to consider questions about growth and resources. Stark said Peoria foresees no development in the new areas for a decade or more, and Phoenix officials agreed.

"They're not going to bring anyone out there to be building a week or two weeks from now," Stephenson said

[Explorer]

From the sound of it it's a done deal We're fawked again!

Remember, South Mountain, North Mountain and Squaw Peak parks all used to have 4x4 trails on them.... Not anymore.

This is precisely why I beleive there is NO difference between Democratic and Republican leaders. The Democrats take our land for "environmental preservation" the Republicans take our land to stuff their pockets from "progress". In my opinion they're both just as bad and they both work against the wishes of the "real" public sentiment.

For you out of staters, Arizona has had a Republican governer and legislature for the past dozen years. A Democrat was elected this year and she is REALLY going to suck... She used to be an environmental attorney

[Explorer]

Gordon Taylor from the State Trust Land committee called back to inform me that the State Trust Land Department OKed the use of their land in the annexation except for a 9000 acre parcel North of New River.

He said our only hope is to convince the Phoenix City Council not to vote for the annexation. He said this will NOT go before the voters in a general election

[Desert Lady]

Here is a website containing all the Phoenix City Council members and their email addresses. We're just going to start flooding their in boxes.

Phoenix City Council Members

[Desert Lady]

Just found this. There's a meeting planned for December 18th at 1pm at the City Council Subcommittee Room (12th floor) , 200 W. Washington St. , Phoenix. It says it's a public meeting. Here's the description:

"Focuses on oversight of the Parks and Preserve Initiative and implementation of Edge Development Standards. Additionally, the subcommittee will deal with implementation of the Phoenix General Plan, identifying and protecting scenic corridors, implementing a comprehensive trails plan, annexations and state lands, parking standards, and green building concepts."

This may be the meeting to attend. There's a number to call for more details - 602-261-8845. This is the City Council Smart Growth and Environment Subcommittee.