TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Summary............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Overview ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Definitions Used in This Plan ....................................................................................... 1 1.3 How to Use the Plan .................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Land Use ...................................................................................................................... 2 1.5 Circulation .................................................................................................................... 3 1.6 Applicability .................................................................................................................. 3 1.7 Previous Comprehensive Plans ................................................................................... 3 1.8 Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan ................................................................... 3 2.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Role and Purpose of the Comprehensive Plan ............................................................ 5 2.2 Land Use Element........................................................................................................ 5 2.3 Circulation Element ...................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Planning Process ......................................................................................................... 6 3.0 Background Information ........................................................................................................ 8 3.1 History .......................................................................................................................... 8 3.2 Population .................................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Physical Setting ............................................................................................................ 8 3.4 Land Ownership/Governance ...................................................................................... 9 3.5 Economy/Industry ........................................................................................................ 9 3.6 Climate ....................................................................................................................... 10 3.7 Soils ........................................................................................................................... 10 3.7.1 Deep Loamy and Sandy Soils ........................................................................ 11 3.7.2 Shale Badlands............................................................................................... 11 3.7.3 The Flood Plains ............................................................................................. 11 3.7.4 Shallow Soils on Sandstone and Sandy Shale .............................................. 11 3.7.5 Brown Sandy Soils on Sandstone .................................................................. 11 3.7.6 Hilly, Gravelly, Shallow Soils .......................................................................... 12 3.7.7 Shale and Sandstone Rock Land ................................................................... 12 3.7.8 Soil on Basalt and Cinders ............................................................................. 12 3.7.9 Shallow to Deep Soils on the Mogollon Plateau ............................................. 12 3.9 Rodeo-Chediski Fire .................................................................................................. 16 4.0 Land Use Element .............................................................................................................. 18 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 18 4.2 Zoning ........................................................................................................................ 19 4.3 Area Plans .................................................................................................................. 19 4.4 Character Areas and Overlay .................................................................................... 19 4.4.2 Range Land .................................................................................................... 20 4.4.3 Rural Edge ...................................................................................................... 20 4.4.4 Community Village .......................................................................................... 21 4.4.5 Highway Service ............................................................................................. 21 4.4.6 Recreation ...................................................................................................... 21 Navajo County Comprehensive Plan As Approved & Adopted by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors: May 24, 2011 Page i of ii 4.4.7 Environmentally Sensitive Development Area ............................................... 22 4.4.8 Petrified Forest National Park Overlay....................................................................... 23 4.4 Land Use Map ............................................................................................................ 24 4.5 Growth Areas ............................................................................................................. 24 4.5.1 State Land .................................................................................................................. 24 4.5.2 Federal Land .............................................................................................................. 25 4.6 Cost of Development.................................................................................................. 25 4.7 Goals and Policies ..................................................................................................... 26 5.0 Circulation Element ............................................................................................................. 30 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 30 5.2 Existing Circulation Issues ......................................................................................... 30 5.3 Projected Circulation System Improvements ............................................................. 31 5.4 Goals and Policies ..................................................................................................... 32 6.0 Implementation ................................................................................................................... 36 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 36 6.2 Timetable ................................................................................................................... 36 6.3 Plan Review ............................................................................................................... 36 Navajo County Comprehensive Plan As Approved & Adopted by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors: May 24, 2011 Page ii of ii 1.0 Summary 1.1 Overview Navajo County is required by state law to have a comprehensive plan. The law says the purpose of the plan is to make sure public funds are spent wisely, natural resources are conserved, and the health, safety and welfare of the residents are enhanced. The County has always had such a plan. This is the latest version. It is a living document that can be amended anytime through proper procedures. It must be reviewed and updated at least every ten years. It is simply a guide to future growth and land use. The Plan assists the Board of Supervisors, the Planning & Zoning Commission and the County staff in making land-use decisions. It does not change any zoning or affect anyone’s property rights. The “regulatory” documents (the “laws”) are the Zoning Ordinance, the zoning maps and the related codes like the Uniform Building Code, etc. The comprehensive plan is a “philosophical” document that can help the County grow and preserve its customs, cultural and rural historical values in a logical and orderly way and respond to future challenges. It will assist the County in “Growing Smarter”. It is a vision of the future in which each resident of the County has a stake and the County welcomes and encourages the participation of all residents as the plan evolves over the years. THIS PLAN DOES NOT CHANGE THE ZONING OF ANY PARCEL. The planning process is structured to emphasize public involvement and incorporate comments, ideas, and direction of the public into the plan. This plan strives to create strong and vibrant communities within Navajo County by encouraging orderly development. The U.S. Census lists the 2010 population for Navajo County as 107,449 persons. The State of Arizona estimates that the population in Navajo County will increase to nearly 150,000 by 2050. Such growth, coupled with the increase in the number of second/vacation homes and the accompanying “phantom” population that