MINUTES OF THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE …

               MINUTES OF THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
                  CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
    Monday, August 13, 2007 5:30 p.m. Vision Gallery, 80 S. San Marcos Place

   Members Present:
   Jay Tibshraeny, Chairman       Garry Hays                   Christy McClendon
   Angela Creedon                 Richard Herrera              Lisa Peters
   Donna DeVoe                    Gina Hill                    Paul Saylor
   Greg Dutton                    Arif Kazmi                   Peter Sciacca
   Arthur Felder                  Neils Kreipke                Kirk Sibley
   Lloyd Harrell                  Mike Long                    Stephen Veitch


   Members Not Present:           Staff/Consultants Present:
   Rob Barney                     Mark Pentz, City Manager
   Rudy Bustamante                Patrice Kraus, Intergovernmental
   Lisa Butters                   Affairs Coordinator
   Ed Clavell                     Hank Pluster, Chandler Planning
   Harvey Friedson                David de la Torre, Chandler
   Theresa Olsen                  Planning
   Maria Rebozo                   Jason Crampton, Chandler
                                  Planning
                                  Rick Counts, CSC
                                  David Williams, Willdan

I.      INTRODUCTIONS
Chairman Jay Tibshraeny called the Chandler General Plan Oversight Committee
organizational meeting to order at 5:30p.m. He thanked this very diverse, representative
group for agreeing to serve. Committee Members then introduced themselves, noting
their special interests in General Plan updating. A Tribune reporter, Staff and consultants
then introduced themselves.

The Chair observed that the current General Plan was completed in 2001, ratified by
voters in 2002; but, given Chandler's rapid growth, it is appropriate not to wait the 10
years allowed by statute before an updating is required.

The first community meetings will be held in different locations on August 21, 27 and 29
-- OC Members are encouraged to attend. This fast-paced process has a target date of
April 2008, the Chair stated before calling on consultants to provide background
information.

II.    BUILD-OUT AND BEYOND: UPDATE PURPOSE
Rick Counts spoke to the unique circumstances driving the General Plan Update:
Chandler is approaching build-out, there is relatively little expansion room remaining.
Few Arizona municipalities (other than, perhaps, Tempe) have addressed the implications
of becoming better, not just bigger.
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Citizen Oversight Committee
Monday, August 13, 2007
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Speaking to the "Mature Community" Perspective, Counts continued with the
importance of promoting long-term fiscal stability. Also, the Plan should consider
refining the City's land use relationships, planning for revitalization where needed and
seeking to provide the range of activities to maintain "full-service" City status.

David Williams, on Sustainability, stressed the need for balance among the Plan's
various components. The document's new focus should align and cross-reference Plan
Elements to concentrate on achieving and maintaining positive development patterns.

Reviewing the Workscope handout, Williams described the main phases and subtasks
consultants will be covering -- and looking for direction from the Committee. Arif
Kazmi inquired about the Plan's title, to which consultants' responded that the upcoming
"Visioning" community meetings may provide some apt suggestions. Blending the
General Plan with adopted Area Plans was stressed by Garry Hays.

Rick Counts then referred to the Planning Process Schedule timeline provided in
Committee packet materials. There will be numerous planning events that offer different
ways for Chandler citizens to participate and express themselves. The process is meant
to build momentum for community General Plan support.

III.   NEW PLANNING DIRECTIONS
Committee Members were asked to comment on the Plan Elements or other subject
matter which should be especially stressed in the Update process. A chart listing possible
Element groupings provided a basis for discussion. Recognizing that a new subject area,
Energy, has been added by the Legislature, Chairman Tibshraeny offered background
information on that topic.

The City identified key subject for In-Depth Study/Fact-Finding:               Housing,
Redevelopment and Neighborhoods. The Chair acknowledged Committee assent that
these are regarded as having priority importance. Garry Hays thought Employment ought
to receive particular attention.       Mike Long and others agreed.          "Where is
Transportation?", inquired Arif Kazmi. Staff and consultants stated that the Circulation
Element incorporates all transportation modes.

Discussion ensued regarding Comprehensive Rewrites, which could possibly combine
the Bicycling Element with Circulation -- as the City had done with other subjects
previously (e.g., Conservation & Environmental Planning). Richard Herrera remarked
that the Committee needs to know more before categorizing Elements. Angela Creedon
asked where industrial land would be treated. Neils Kreipke inquired about educational
facilities. Staff and consultants offered suggestions to be sure these key components are
included.




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Minutes of the General Plan Update
Citizen Oversight Committee
Monday, August 13, 2007
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Chairman Tibshraeny remarked that Element Updating and Coordination would likely
cover areas that are being constantly addressed by City Council such as Costs of
Development and Water Resources; and, therefore, could easily be brought up to date.
IV.    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN
David Williams reviewed the Public Participation Plan handout, then narrated an in-
progress PowerPoint presentation that consultants are preparing for the scheduled
Community Meetings. In seeking broad-based participation, public meetings need to
provide information for citizen discussion and background education. Comments were
received from the group, such as debating about residential development demand.

Distributed samples of materials for Planning Events were explained by Rick Counts.
The Community Meetings Agenda was mentioned, together with the use of various
methods to get citizen input. The principal focus of this first round series is soliciting
ideas for a Vision Statement and Element Goals. Over the series of public meetings,
people may express themselves verbally, in writing, even by drawing on maps or role
playing.

Obtaining Community Feedback, such as through a questionnaire designed for the
Visioning and Goals exercises, is essential to instill public pride of authorship in their
Plan. Other future planning events for neighborhood groups and stakeholders as well as
the general public were cited.

V.      AROUND THE COMMITTEE
The Chair summarized issues raised: the Plan name, dealing with Employment, feedback
on Elements approach (noting in response to Richard Herrera that the current General
Plan is online), and discussing Chandler's image.

Hank Pluster solicited ideas for preferred ways to convey public feedback to the OC.
Possibilities ranged from blogging (possible legal issues) to Committee access to public
input online.

Scheduling Preferences were determined, from Members' consensus that meetings will
be, generally, on a monthly or "as needed" basis. The Agenda should run two hours or
less.

A September OC meeting will be scheduled to review results from Community Meetings
as well as subjects raised this evening.

The Chair entertained concluding Oversight Committee Observations from some of the
Members and other attendees.

          Christy McClendon - suggested that hard copy materials, including flyers to
                              promote public meetings should be provided, too.




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Minutes of the General Plan Update
Citizen Oversight Committee
Monday, August 13, 2007
Page 4 of 4

          Lloyd Harrell       -      remarked that you really have to work to get people out
                                     and participating (Hank Pluster offered ideas).

          Stephen Veitch      -      remarked that the "Next 20" report is a great study and
                                     was looking forward to utilizing the reports
                                     recommendations.
          Gina Hill           -      wanted to know the role of the "Next 20" report,
                                     translating Mary Jo Waits' global view to grassroots
                                     citizens.

          Arif Kazmi          -      ascertained how to contact consultants and staff. The
                                     difference between citizen participation and General
                                     Plan public hearings was explained.

          Peter Sciacca       -      wondered if immigration issues were germane to the
                                     Plan -- determined probably not part of a General Plan.

          Arthur Felder       -      expressed appreciation for the Gila River Community
                                     being included in the process -- there are many issues in
                                     common.

          Lisa Peters         -      stated that she looks forward to the process.


          Donna DeVoe         -      offered help with meeting notification for the Ocotillo
                                     area.

          Mike Long           -      favored public meetings, he'll try to inform County
                                     residents.

          Kirk Sibley, Greg Dutton, Garry Hays each expressed enthusiasm about the
          General Plan Update.


VI.   ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Tibshraeny adjourned the meeting at 7:28p.m. with thanks to all in attendance.


Submitted by :




David de la Torre
General Plan Coordinator


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