BISBEE, Ariz.- Cochise County residents cite water availability and managed growth as the biggest challenges facing the County over the next decade according to the Cochise County Land Use Survey released today by the County Planning and Zoning Department. Despite their concerns over these challenges, eight out of ten county residents are very satisfied with their quality of life and a majority of respondents expect their quality of life to improve or stay about the same in the future.

The County Land Use Survey was developed as a joint effort by the County Planning Department and a committee represented by more than a dozen residents from all areas and all walks of life throughout the County. The results of this survey will serve as a tool to assist the County and the committee in preparing several public input meetings to be held countywide starting in the fall of this year as part of the County's Envision 2020: Land Use Planning in Cochise County project.

"Arizona is the nation's fastest growing State growing 22.9% since the last census in 2000 with Cochise County growing at a more moderate rate of 14.8 %," explains Judy Anderson Planning and Zoning Director. "With a more moderate growth rate and the slow down of the housing market, now is the best of times to plan for future County growth." In order to get a sense of the County resident's views in light of this growth, the Planning Department has embarked on a process dubbed Envision 2020: Land Use Planning in Cochise County. According to Anderson, "The goal of the process is to obtain citizen input on where and how we want to accommodate this growth and the Land Use Survey is just the first step."

In early June, the Land Use Survey was conducted via a random sample telephone questionnaire given to approximately 400 county residents. The survey was designed to garner initial information from citizens regarding their views on how growth is currently managed in the County and their views of how to manage future growth.

Residents were asked nearly 20 questions pertaining to quality of life, principal reasons for living in Cochise County, preferred type of residential and commercial growth in the future, development priorities, impacts from traffic, property rights, potential environmental impacts and cost of living.

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According to Ms. Anderson the survey results will be used to determine topics for discussion at the fall Envision 2020 meetings. Answers indicated that respondents live in the County because of the climate followed closely by the small town atmosphere and rural lifestyle and proximity to family and friends. The survey clearly indicates the residents desire to continue to be known for preserving rural character and ensuring water availability yet only 24 % of the respondents agree that the County has enough living wages jobs. Reconciling responses such as these provide interesting topics for further discussion at the fall meetings.

Richard Searle, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors supports the Envisioning committee's partnering efforts in developing tools that can represent the voice of county residents. "Recent planning projects and the result of last year's vote on the Smith Ranch project has shown us as decision-makers that the residents have some definite views about growth that we need to hear. This survey and the future public meetings are a good forum for getting the message to us."

Board Vice-Chairman Pat Call adds, "We are always looking for ways to communicate better with the public about what is going on and what needs to be done. The Planning Department is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan for the entire county so this is an ideal way to work together with the residents to determine their needs for land use in the future."

The current adopted goal of the Cochise County Comprehensive Plan is "to promote the future growth of Cochise County in an orderly, harmonious, environmentally and economically responsible manner. The results of the survey and upcoming public meetings will be used to update the adopted Comprehensive Plan that guides staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission and elected officials in decision making when confronted with new land use proposals.

The survey and the results are published in a report prepared by FMR Associates, Inc. in Tucson. An electronic copy of both documents can be found on the County website at http://www.co.cochise.az.us/P&Z/cochise_land_use_planning.htm. or by request through the County's e-Notification system. Hard copies of the final report will also be available at local libraries, Chambers of Commerce, and county facilities in a few weeks or by contacting the Planning & Zoning department at 520-432-9240.

The Envisioning 2020 public input meetings will begin at Cochise College in Benson on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 9 a.m. More than a dozen meetings are planned between September 2007 and February 2008, some will be held on a weeknight and some on a Saturday morning. A complete calendar of meetings will be available in the coming weeks on the County's website.

For more information, contact the Judy Anderson or Mike Turisk at 520-432-9240.