Mesa General Plan Update Aims for Clarity, Accountability

Mesa, Arizona is updating its General Plan to plot the city’s future growth. As Scott Shumaker explains in The Mesa Tribune, “The General Plan is a document required by state law that Mesa voters will see on the ballot next year.”

The plan codifies zoning rules and how properties can be rezoned. “City planners say many of the priorities and themes from the 2040 plan – such as maintaining neighborhood character –  will remain in the new plan.” City staff said the top priorities for the public are “commercial and retail choices, attainable housing and public safety.”

City planners say a key change in the new plan is clarifying the boundaries between land use areas to ensure they line up with property lines. The new plan will also include “concrete actions” for each vision statement to create more accountability.

“The next major milestone will be the release of the draft plan early next year, when there will be a formal 60-day comment period and the city will hold another round of public meetings.”