City planners unveil preferred land use map to enhance housing and climate resilience

The Joint City/County Regional Plan Retreat held on May 2, 2025, in Flagstaff, Arizona, focused on advancing the region's development strategy through a preferred scenario aimed at enhancing sustainability and housing accessibility. The meeting began with a presentation highlighting the benefits of the preferred scenario, which emphasizes reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips and promoting development near existing infrastructure. This approach is expected to improve fiscal health and provide residents with better access to parks and trails.

Key discussions centered on the scenario's potential to address climate change resilience by conserving water and minimizing transportation emissions, which are significant contributors to the region's overall emissions. The preferred scenario is designed to create more attainable housing options for the workforce, thereby reducing commuting distances and supporting carbon neutrality goals. It also aims to optimize infrastructure use and bolster existing transit systems by situating housing and job opportunities in proximity to transit routes.

The meeting included a review of a future land use map, which is crucial for guiding zoning decisions and infrastructure priorities. Participants were encouraged to engage in discussions about the map's implications for their respective districts, emphasizing the importance of local expertise in shaping the plan. The session featured interactive voting exercises using a digital tool called Miro, allowing attendees to provide feedback on the proposed land use categories.

Elsa Erling, the associate planner for the city, led a detailed overview of the land use categories, highlighting the plan's responsiveness to the housing and climate emergencies declared by the city. The proposed plan aims to increase density across all categories to better meet these challenges.

In conclusion, the retreat underscored the collaborative effort required to implement the preferred scenario effectively. The discussions and feedback gathered during the meeting will play a vital role in refining the regional plan, with the goal of positioning Flagstaff for a sustainable and economically viable future.