El Mirage: Arizona s Sustainable Community General Plan Update El Mirage, Arizona OVERVIEW OF THE AREA ELEMENTS City Council Meeting March 25, 2010
Our Oasis Vision A thriving desert jewel with: a strong arts district, revenue generating uses, Transit Oriented Development, high-wage employment opportunities, a well-defined river front, high-quality mixed-use neighborhoods, and well defined parks system joined together by a cohesive, multiuse accessible trail system and carefully landscaped roadways offering access, alternative modes of transportation, and enhanced mobility for people and goods;
Our Oasis Vision a sustainable community that serves as the gateway of the Northwest Valley; an economically vibrant destination offering : a safe place to live, work and play; quality educational opportunities; engaging gathering places; world class entertainment; recreational and cultural amenities available for all; and a variety of economic opportunities for its workforce.
FIVE PROPOSED AREA ELEMENTS Downtown Central Business District Downtown Arts District Agua Fria Gateway The Neighborhoods Commerce/ Industry Park
Located North of Grand along the BNSF Corridor Downtown Central Access to Planned Heavy Business Rail Commuter Train District Potential Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use Urban Core DOWNTOWN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT Downtown Arts District
New Mirage Downtown Central Business District Civic/Commercial Function -Financial Heart of the City Synergy of Commerce, Jobs, and Housing Intense urban multi-story, multi-modal environment
Heavy Rail Commuter Train Rail Link to Other Valley Communities
Transit-Oriented Development Higher Concentrations near Stations
Urban Mixed-Use Development Form-Based versus Land-Use Based
NEW DOWNTOWN COMMUTER RAIL GRAND AVENUE CORRIDOR < Railway and Path Expanded Urban Arterial Roadway with proposed new landscaping Pathway over buried ditch Wider access road and urban redevelopment
DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICT Located South of Grand in the Golden Triangle Redevelopment of the Existing Neighborhood Residential/Business Mix Catering to the Arts
Downtown Arts District Public/private partnership for area redevelopment Encourage private sector revitalization of the area Leverage federal, state, & local funding resources Create enterprise zones or other economic development programs Artist Relocation Program as a tool for economic development/revitalization
Grand Avenue Frontage Road Urban Mixed Use Redevelopment
Arts District Live/Work Units Residence and Business in Same Unit
AGUA FRIA GATEWAY Gateway to the Northwest Valley El Mirage Entertainment District Open Space/Recreational Uses Form-Based Mixed Use Amenities
Agua Fria Gateway -Oasis Project Proposed Sustainability Theme Park North of Grand Avenue
AGUA FRIA GATEWAY CORRIDOR Riverfront Development and Path RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT WITH PEDESTRIAN AND MULTIUSE PATHWAYS
AGUA FRIA GATEWAY Mixed-Use River Front with Integrated Residential, Retail, Service, and Office Uses
THE NEIGHBORHOODS El Mirage s residential neighborhoods surround the downtown area
THE NEIGHBORHOODS The City of El Mirage Has Great Neighborhoods: Established Neighborhoods Are Important to Stability Plan Seeks to Strengthen Existing Neighborhoods The City Should Promote Unique Characteristics
THE NEIGHBORHOODS The General Plan Promotes Neighborhood Support by: Infill and Activity Centers Neighborhood Commercial Proposed Form-Based Codes Multimodal Transportation Open Space and Recreation
COMMERCE/INDUSTRY PARK Located south of Peoria Avenue off El Mirage & Dysart Road Attract solar or other clean alternative energy industries High-tech agricultural practices [green house/hydroponics]
COMMERCE/INDUSTRY PARK Solar Industries High-Tech Agriculture
OTHER GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS El Mirage Plan exceeds the statutorily required elements and includes: Growth Areas Economic Development Land Use Urban Design Transportation and Circulation Open Space, Parks, Recreation, and Trails Environmental Planning Community Facilities and Services Water Resources Cost of Development Safety Administration and Implementation The Five Area Plans
SUMMARY The General Plan serves as a guide for appointed and elected officials: in the evaluation of proposals for development, in the scheduling of community improvements and capital improvements programming, and in the development of more specific studies. It includes supporting background and current conditions and provides a policy framework for the refinement of existing implementation tools such as the zoning ordinance and the subdivision regulations. The General Plan serves as the road map for the development of El Mirage as the gateway of the Northwest Valley.
TENTATIVE ADOPTION CALENDAR Planning and Zoning Commission Overview 2/17 Planning and Zoning Commission Discussion 3/17 City Council Discussion on the Plan Update 3/25 Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing 6/21 Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing 6/22 City Council Final Hearing/Plan Adoption 7/08 Submit to County Election Board for Ballot 7/20 Ratification by Majority Vote of Citizens 11/02