1 Fountain Hills Thrives! or t Fountain Hills Thrives! Prepared for: Town of Fountain Hills Mayor and Council 16705 E Ave of the Fountains Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268 Prepared by: The Planning Center 2 E Congress, Suite 600 Tucson, Arizona 85701 Adopted May 19, 2020 2 General Plan Project Team Mayor and Council Planning & Zoning Commission Ginny Dickey, Mayor Erik Hansen, Chair Mike Scharnow, Vice Mayor Peter Gray, Vice-Chair David Spelich, Council Member Susan Dempster, Commissioner Sherry Leckrone, Council Member Mathew Boik, Commissioner Alan Magazine, Council Member Scott Schlossberg, Commissioner Art Tolis, Council Member Dan Kovacevic, Commissioner Dennis Brown, Council Member Clayton Corey, Commissioner Consultant Team Linda Morales, Owner/CEO Maria Masque, Principal-in-Charge/Project Manager/Lead Planner Brian Underwood, Planner/GIS and Mapping Rick Merritt, Economic Development Daniel Court, Economic Development John Gray, Engineering General Plan Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Grady Miller, Town Manager James Smith, Economic Development Director John Wesley, AICP, Development Services Director Raymond Rees, Facilities & Environmental Supervisor Marissa Moore, Senior Planner Ken Valverde, GIS Technician/CAD Operator Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant Dana Trompke, PE., Sanitary District Manager Rachel Goodwin, Community Services Director Many stakeholders participated in the Fountain Hills General Plan planning process. For the list of stakeholders involved in the preparation and review of the Background and Current Conditions technical report, please see that report. For the list of stakeholders participating in the visioning process, please view the sign-in rosters included in Appendix B of the Community Vision report. 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 SECTION I: PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE 3 Introduction and Overview 4 General Plan Purpose 4 Fountain Hills Location and Regional Context 4 Historical Context 6 Exhibit 1: Location and Regional Context 5 How To Use This Document 8 Fountain Hills Thrives 11 A Memorable Oasis 11 Fountain Hills Community Speaks 13 Our Commitment 13 Setting the Stage 14 Our Vision 14 Fountain Hills Overarching Principle 15 General Plan Structure 16 Conformance with Arizona Revised Statuttes 18 SECTION II: THRIVING NEIGHBOHROODS 20 Housing 20 Neighborhood Amenities 21 Neighbohrood Safety 22 Thriving Neighborhoods Goals and Policies 23 SECTION III: THRIVING ENVIRONMENT 28 1. BUILT ENVIRONMENT 28 Great Places Element 29 Background 29 State Trust Land 31 Existing Land Use 31 Existing Zoning 33 Character Area Framework 34 Character Areas Goals and Policies 38 Exhibit 2: Character Areas Plan Map 42 Table 1: Character Area Plan 43 Social Environment Element 47 Built Spaces for Social Interaction 48 Community and Regional Parks 47 Streets, Sidewalks and Trails as Social Connectors 51 Passive and Active Recreation 53 Social Environment Goals and Policies 54 Exhibit 3: Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Map 57 Connectivity, Access and Mobility Element 58 Fountain Hills Roadway System 58 Access to the Larger Metro Area 59 Local Circulation 61 Safety 61 Gateways and Wayfinding 61 Connectivity, Access and Mobility Goals and Policies 62 Exhibit 4: Connectivity, Access and Mobility Plan Map 68 Exhibit 5: Bycicle Connectivity Plan Map 69 Public Facilities and Services Element 70 Water and Sewer 70 Brownfields and Environmental Remediation 73 Law Enforcement, Fire Protectection and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 74 Utilities 74 Other Public Facilities and Community Services 75 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) 78 Public Facilities and Services Goals and Policies 78 2 SECTION III: THRIVING ENVIRONMENT (Continued) 2. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 84 Natural Resources and Open Space Element 85 Environmental Stewardship 85 Topography, Hydrology and Environmental Resources 86 Air and Water Quality 88 Open Space 89 Dark Skies 91 Energy 91 Natural Resources/Open Space Goals and Policies 92 SECTION IV: THRIVING ECONOMY 1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 98 Economic Development Element 99 2017 Fountain Hills Strategic Plan 99 Economic Development Goals and Policies 100 2. COST OF DEVELOPMENT 105 Cost of Development Element 106 Legislative Framework 107 Cost of Development Key Definitions 107 Town of Fountain Hills Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Adopted Budget 108 Cost of Development Plan Regulatory Methods 108 Town of Fountain Hills Growth Revenues 111 Capital Improvements Plan 111 General Plan Monitoring System 111 Cost of Development Goals and Policies 112 SECTION V: GENERAL PLAN ADMINISTRATION & IMPLEMENTATION 1. GENERAL PLAN ADMINISTRATION 118 General Plan Administration 119 General Plan Authority 119 Planning Tools Used to Implement the General Plan 120 General Plan Amendments and Updates 121 Major Amendments 122 Minor Amendments 123 Administrative Amendments 123 General Plan Updates 124 General Plan Annual Review 124 2. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION 125 General Plan Implementation 126 General Plan Implementation Legislative Framework 126 General Plan Implementation Strategy 127 General Plan Implementation Strategy Tables 130 Thriving Neighborhoods Implementation Table 130 Thriving Environment: Built Environment, Great Places Implementation Table 132 Thriving Environment: Built Environment, Social Environment Implementation Table 137 Thriving Environment: Built Environment, Connectivity, Access and Mobility Implementation Table 138 Thriving Environment: Built Environment, Public Facilities and Services Implementation Table 141 Thriving Environment: Natural Environment, Natural Resources and Open Space Element Implementation Table 143 Thriving Economy: Economic Development Implementation Table 145 Thriving Economy: Cost of Development Implementation Table 148 3 Fountain Hills Thrives! Section I: Planning for Our Future 4 Introduction and Overview Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 9-461.06 requires that all municipalities in Arizona update their existing general plan every ten years. Such updates ensure that the general plan complies with all applicable requirements included in Arizona Revised Statutes 9-461.05. The Fountain Hills General Plan Update 2020 complies with all applicable Arizona Revised Statutes. It also incorporates other Town of Fountain Hills efforts such a Vision Fountain Hills and the 2017 Strategic Plan to ensure that such efforts are integrated with Town needs and community aspirations. The Fountain Hills General Plan provides a decision-making framework for Town elected and appointed officials and staff to guide future growth, development, redevelopment and infill and maintain the public infrastructure and services needed to support existing and future needs. Over time, unanticipated or unforeseen changes in economy, technology, environment, demographics, transportation systems, and other factors may occur. The Fountain Hills General Plan is based on community values and an understanding of existing and projected conditions and needs, all of which are subject to change. The General Plan amendment process established by the Arizona Revised Statutes allows maps and written policy statements to be changed. The General Plan is a policy document for the entire Town and may be amended in a manner that supports the community’s interest. Every General Plan amendment must be consistent with the rest of the General Plan or appropriate changes must be made to maintain internal consistency. The Administration and Implementation chapters of the General Plan includes procedures to administer, amend, interpret, update, and implement the Town of Fountain Hills General Plan in conformance with the Arizona Revised Statutes. In addition, the Administration chapter ensures that future amendments of the General Plan further the community and the Town’s vision and that the General Plan is implemented in a fair and equitable manner. General Plan Purpose The Town of Fountain Hills General Plan 2020 (General Plan) manages growth in a manner consistent with the community’s vision through its ten-year planning horizon. It guides decisions by establishing goals and policies that balance maintenance of existing and developing neighborhoods, continued support for economic development and conservation of resources. The General Plan provides the basis for new development while supporting the quality of life that makes the Town distinct. The plan includes the vision, goals and policy framework identified during the community outreach process. It addresses specific community needs and aspirations. Under State law, actions on private land development, such as Specific Plans, Area Plans, rezonings, subdivisions, public agency projects and other decisions must be consistent with the General Plan ratified by the voters. Fountain Hills Location and Regional Context The Town of Fountain Hills (Town) is located in the northeast portion of the Phoenix Valley and is bordered by the McDowell Mountain Regional Park within Maricopa County. The Town is east of the City of Scottsdale, north of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and west of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Exhibit 1 shows location and regional context. 5 Exhibit 1: Location and Regional Context 6 Historical Context The landforms that comprise the Town are characterized by low ridgelines and wash corridors that were originally home to Native Americans. Archaeological studies have identified the area around the Fort McDowell Yavapai Indian Nation as a major center of Hohokam-Salado occupation from approximately 100 to 1450 A.D. Petroglyphs and lithic remains have been found