could set course for the future

By Karla Jensen, Public Information Officer/Cochise County Planning and Zoning

Cochise County is in the path of what has been referred to as the "sunbelt corridor" of growth extending from Prescott to Sierra Vista. Yet increased interest in and concern about this growth, specifically how the planning process affects County residents, is evidenced by a number of recent events. These include public participation in the owner-builder building code exemption, the Smith Ranch referendum and opposition to intensification of zoning in Sunsites and Palominas despite conformance with the adopted area plans which were developed in cooperation with the residents of these two communities.

The result of this participation has not gone unnoticed by the County Planning Department. In fact, the department wants to take this "sense" one step further in 2007 and go out into the community to find out what individuals and groups envision and expect to see in their communities in the future. This proposed "listening tour" will be part of a presentation to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment and the Board of Supervisors at a joint work session to be held Monday, February 5, 2007 at the Board Hearing Room in Bisbee from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

The objective of this project, or "listening tour," is to go into the county and listen to the ideas of the residents concerning future growth. Arizona is currently the fastest growing state in the country, and growth in Pima and Maricopa Counties impacts growth in our backyard. For this reason, the department desires to form a real partnership with residents to update the County Comprehensive Plan that would be the vision for the future. Ideas presented would represent a cross-section of community interests that would guide future growth throughout the county for at least the next decade.

The County Planning Department places a high priority on a vision that not only represents the population's needs now but what they will be in the future. One of the programs that will be presented will be implementing a "Green Building Program." Green Building provides the opportunity to design and construct using sustainable and environmentally responsible materials and methods. The department would like to consider options for both voluntary and incentive based green programs.

Other potential projects to be considered at the joint work session will include updating the current sign code and creating historic preservation, noise abatement and lot split ordinances (lot splits will be the topic of the next County feature article).

The Commission's By-laws will also be considered. Recent issues regarding length of Commission meetings and voting procedures have raised questions with the staff and the public prompting discussion on current procedures.

To plan for the future, it's always beneficial to consider what has worked and not worked in the past. The Planning Department has accomplished several significant changes and new programs that set the pace for the next several years and these will be highlighted at the meeting. Some of these include the adoption of the Water Conservation Plans and Sierra Vista Sub-watershed Overlay District, the updated Light Pollution Code, adoption of six Area Plans, and the adoption of the Citizen input process for developers before permits are submitted among others.

Finally, the Planning Department Building Division will present options for possible permit exemptions for home improvement projects on existing owner-occupied residential single-family structures. The department has been directed to develop a standard list of permit exemptions to be formally presented at a public hearing during the March 14, 2007 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting.