SAFFORD — There is a short window for Safford residents to have a say in how the city goes forward over the coming decade.
During Tuesday’s Safford Planning and Zoning Committee meeting, the city held its first public meeting on the General Plan update.
Garrett Aldrete, with the consulting group The Planning Center, explained his firm has to present a first draft of the update to the city by Feb. 23. So the city’s Planning and Community Development Department is hosting public meetings; offering to meet with social service, church and other groups; and meet one-on-one with individual residents.
“Please participate and call me,” said Jaime Embick Safford Planning Director. “As I tell everyone, if you can’t remember anyone else’s name, call me and I’ll get you to the department you need to talk to.
“This participation is, ultimately, the most important thing otherwise the decisions are made by the people in the room at the time,” she continued. “So this is your time. If you have time for one public meeting this year, or one phone call, to express your opinion, now is the time for the next 10 years.”
Embick can be reached at 928-432-4299.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
At Tuesday’s meeting, participants were asked a number of questions, including amount of time they’ve lived and/or worked in Safford, what they love about Safford and what are their top five priorities for Safford among others.
Those questions will also be asked at other public meetings, as well as on a survey that can be accessed on the City of Safford website.
The general plan takes into a number of key concepts that will impact the future of the city, including:
- Growth Areas
- Land Use
- Historic Preservation
- Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space
- Transportation and Circulation
- Economic Development
- Housing
- Community Design
- Environmental Planning and Water Resources
- Public Services and Facilities
- Public Community Service
- Cost of Development
A Zoom meeting was held Wednesday, Jan. 21, and the next public meeting will take place Monday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m., during a joint work session with the Planning and Zoning Committee and the City Council.
The Planning and Zoning Committee and City Council will come together again on Feb. 23 to receive the first draft of the general plan update, and offer any suggested revisions. A mandatory 60-day agency review period will begin Feb. 27, and a second draft will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Committee in a public meeting May 18.
The City Council will be asked to adopt the updated general plan in June and voters will have the final say during the 2026 General Election on Nov. 3. If the voters reject the plan, it will be revised and brought back for another vote during the next municipal election.
