Resident feedback has led City of Peoria staff to remove two general plan amendments aimed at facilitating an advanced manufacturing hub in the northern part of town.
Staff members have been collecting input about the amendments since they were first proposed. City leaders hope to create a comprehensive master plan for two areas to promote their development.
Some residents have come out in opposition, particularly to plans to develop an airpark near their homes as part of the economic development hub.
Under the current rules, projects larger than 80 acres require a major general plan amendment. A proposed project is required to receive a public hearing within 12 months of the proposal being made and then goes through two Planning Commission hearings before going to City Council for approval. Council approval requires a two-thirds majority.
Officials had planned to raise the major general plan amendment criteria from 80 acres up to 640. They also wanted to add a definition that would have allowed any Arizona State Trust Land to be processed as a minor general plan amendment, regardless of size.
Those revisions have now been dropped.
The general plan amendments for the north Peoria master plans are currently scheduled for public hearings in June, July and August and are expected to go to Council in September. Under the proposals, Peoria will create master plans covering 8,300 acres of state land for the North Peoria Gateway and the Peoria Innovation Core. (Source)