SAFFORD — The City of Safford announced the dates of the first round of public meetings for the update of the city’s general plan.
The first in-person meeting will take place Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 5:30-7 p.m., in the programming room of the Safford Library. A virtual public meeting will take place on Zoom on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 10-11:30 a.m. Click here for the link.
“And please do know that these are the official, publically-noticed meetings, but I am available during the entire process for one-on-ones, meeting groups or anything like that,” said Jaime Embick, Safford Planning director.
As described by the city in a prepared release, the general plan “guides decisions regarding land use, development/redevelopment, housing, transportation, infrastructure, the environment, public services, economic growth, parks, recreation, trails, open space, historic preservation, cost of development and overall community character within the city.”
Embick said the goal is to update the plan that was adopted in 2016, as there are still facets of that plan still to be implemented. She anticipates development of a new comprehensive plan in 2036.
State law requires the city to craft a new general plan or update its existing plan every 10 years. New this year is the requirement that cities with a population of 10,000 or more must submit the plan to the voters for ratification. If voters reject the plan, the city is make changes and submit the revised plan for another vote and continue to do so until a plan is adopted by the residents.
Since the voter ratification requirement was put into effect, Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson voters approved their cities’ general plan updates. Sierra Vista voters rejected their general plan update in 2024, and a revised plan is going before the voters in November of this year.
