[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6138781,"mediaKeyId","5582659-3b8f297972115b4139cfd9c9e522fce4","parentId",5582659,"title","Flagstaff open-space commissioners press for stronger open-space protections in regional plan review","audioSeconds",1933,"startMs",202000,"endMs",2135000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5582659-3b8f297972115b4139cfd9c9e522fce4&start=202&end=2135","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5582659-3b8f297972115b4139cfd9c9e522fce4/thumbnail_202000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6138781/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/Flagstaff-open-space-commissioners-press-for-stronger-open-space-protections-in-regional-plan-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138781-0d883882eae1e0b46d4c8eeaa4e3568f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775455991&Signature=HMqQjYCyCG7rXkgQ11qZdFJLPvMDdiYNH0CdgGCKapvbAI1n91UUQXaMFIzvnaEkcmzJhqYs~jg5BDvdeS1aJPcTxWraMVaN6rfiCg5sHy7p3gOaPqzCTc2cXPb0yKJy5isJoX1gBmLNxE0ORhtOyf1U8WRkxAo76YEIc5rtwg26EwB0IPoZp~sjZcDjtL~m~nbDvekXuqkLYal4cF7YVaFehW0ZvHOXJcsf37j1vVRY-4dikayZuBUoI7xoovhWelVDszUAx2YpQpWInIwqB1loF2uhl95ggKaRop91VuBAsWvcemC5lYLRE~IALza0qGcpb5yAnBgxyX2YSeWYAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Flagstaff, AZ","date","2025-08-13T16:20:03Z","article","Members of the Flagstaff Open Space Commission spent much of their meeting reviewing the draft regional plan and how the city’s forthcoming Parks, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) master plan could be used to implement open-space policies. Commissioners said the regional plan’s stated core priorities—housing attainability, equity and climate action—risk treating natural, cultural and recreational resources as secondary unless implementation language and tools provide explicit protection and leverage for those resources.

The discussion matters because the regional plan is moving through public review and the commission wants its concerns reflected in the formal public record and in implementing regulations. Commission members were told the regional-plan public hearings are scheduled in September and a city council public hearing is planned for October; staff asked the commission to submit prioritized comments in mid‑August so planners can incorporate them into materials presented to council.

Commissioners said they support housing, climate and equity goals but urged the plan text be adjusted so open‑space values are not subordinated. Several commissioners said policies that reward higher residential density appeared to create tradeoffs that could reduce protection of large trees, cultural resources and neighborhood open spaces unless the plan and subsequent PROS master plan include stronger definitions, standards and leverage for preservation. The commission discussed map errors and unclear definitions (for example, inconsistent labels for county vs. city regional parks), and several members urged clearer mapping and criteria to avoid misapplication during development review.

Staff described how a new PROS master plan is intended to create that implementation leverage. Rebecca (Parks, Recreation & Open Space staff) explained the division has drafted a scope of work and will issue a request for proposals this fall. \"We hope to have a vendor selected and approved through council and on board by winter, December,\" she said; staff estimated the master-plan process would take a minimum of 12 months and possibly 18–24 months because of multiple public‑engagement phases. Staff said the master plan will include a gap analysis, best practices, and a prioritized roadmap and that it will be used to support future capital improvement planning and negotiations with developers.

To influence the near‑term regional‑plan adoption, staff requested the commission submit a concise set of prioritized comments. The commission agreed to a process: commissioners will send top concerns to staff by August 11; staff will compile them into a draft letter; the commission will review and vote at its August 25 meeting; and the commission will designate a representative to speak during public hearings (planning and zoning’s August 27 session was described as part of a retreat and not part of the public record, while public hearings on the regional plan were noted for September 10 and September 24 and a council public hearing on October 9).

Commissioners and staff also discussed the timeline risk that the regional plan could be adopted before the PROS master plan is complete. Staff argued the master plan coming online around the same time as regional-plan adoption would provide an implementation path: once the master plan identifies priority open spaces and projects, planners can use it during site‑level negotiations and capital‑planning decisions. Commissioners urged staff to ensure regional‑plan policies remain flexible enough not to lock the city into approaches the commission would later want to adjust.

Next steps: commissioners will submit prioritized comments by the agreed date, staff will compile a draft recommendation letter for the August 25 packet, and the commission plans to vote on a formal recommendation and a speaker to attend subsequent hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Flagstaff Open Space Commission Meeting - July 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the Flagstaff Open Space Commission spent much of their meeting reviewing the draft regional plan and how the city’s forthcoming PROS master plan could be used to implement open-space policies.","taxTitle","Flagstaff City, Coconino County, Arizona","taxId",4650,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138776,"Staff reports: volunteer events, invasive-species removals and upcoming interpretive activities",107,4360000,4467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5582659-3b8f297972115b4139cfd9c9e522fce4&start=4360&end=4467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5582659-3b8f297972115b4139cfd9c9e522fce4/thumbnail_4360000.jpg","/articles/6138776/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/Staff-reports-volunteer-events-invasive-species-removals-and-upcoming-interpretive-activities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138776-9da443275ef602b685af43cf71485776/orig.mp4?Expires=1775455991&Signature=o1GWyeAQ~WDt2eoL6MXvQKepgDIOeNN-nawpSs2X3wYvzoHlGK1IPf58DkI-3nESU3-affOJPeFJyb1AAf~iX5vPEeZuompY5H~dBZcgD0hMIipp7kHKOH9J0ilXn5lC18rYa7x9PYEbEVg-1eGIejHI6lioYlgEm7FujgrkLkfAq0lMX-4h4aptbotVbNBYt9klEP9d4jiXIZ~P40DdlYA-4aTk3cHsFoJGwVLf9CVsXPXlKSlgxsWFgdpE5LwUjkosP0CMgH~OH0fvU6ck2td~8Pqn8qI6Q~7qvGmhtGUz1yh7hGOcekEYEds4wRBscJD94M0bUyPV7uoGUQVS-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the end of the meeting staff and commissioners provided routine reports and event updates. Staff said volunteers removed Siberian elm and replanted native juniper and pinyon in recent work parties; a mountain-house recovery group will volunteer regularly on alternating Monday mornings. The commission noted an upcoming invasive-weed pull scheduled for late July and a full‑moon hike on Aug. 9 starting at 7:30 p.m. at Martin Field. A mushroom‑walk event hosted with Arizona Watchable Wildlife will run Aug. 23 in two sessions (9–11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) and will be limited in capacity; staff directed attendees to sign up through the volunteer portal provided in the meeting materials.

Staff said the monthly newsletter should have been attached to the meeting agenda packet and that volunteer signups are posted on the city volunteer site. Commissioners and staff thanked volunteer groups for recent trail cleanups on McMillan Mesa and invited members to future service events.","Staff and commissioners briefed the commission on recent volunteer work (invasive-tree removal, trail cleanups), recurring volunteer groups, upcoming full‑moon and mushroom‑walk events, and distribution of the monthly newsletter.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138778,"Commission considers renaming Observatory Mesa to emphasize natural and cultural preservation",1099,5997000,7096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5582659-3b8f297972115b4139cfd9c9e522fce4&start=5997&end=7096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5582659-3b8f297972115b4139cfd9c9e522fce4/thumbnail_5997000.jpg","/articles/6138778/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/Commission-considers-renaming-Observatory-Mesa-to-emphasize-natural-and-cultural-preservation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138778-d18a19c9e442454314d50ffb40ed0b4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775455991&Signature=hJb0353ZkIKZoqehlGcoOl4xESb7uMQRaru7gKIYdQAQozkqpZn3YbCcA5nBW6E-tquNq6puwcXM7b1tHW9tEdMoB6mBBWNMspkKct9cZIVAy1Az4VvIzJg7JQPFLqKawnPh~r7OAN73w9-WwL4Ho1Yg3bBOt3cza03O20KHNgzPvQHqDrjiInK67K2YalUrhkGEAQIN-nGgg12EKTqsyIDFCbvX~XnYo6GbV19Jsdu~WVU94WBwdet2xXuEhVCltyN1fnLvyrK~2d88bI4gFPokkIIs7gAOkgdBuPXxQ3bmd-OyoFRgLRUJ269AmbCf45cHbWzr0K6KlgcScZoHKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Open Space Commission considered a request to change the designation of Observatory Mesa from a \"natural area\" to a name that emphasizes long‑term preservation and cultural significance. A commissioner recommended the title \"Observatory Mesa Natural and Cultural Preserve\" to align the name with the conservation easement language used for Picture Canyon and to convey the intent of perpetual protection.

Commissioners and several attendees noted that the term \"preserve\" is used in conservation easements to indicate perpetual protection and more restrictive management than a city‑managed natural area. Commissioners discussed differences among city open spaces (for example, Buffalo Park vs. easement‑protected preserves) and whether the Observatory Mesa name should explicitly reference cultural uses and indigenous connections.

Rose, the staff liaison to the Indigenous Commission, said the Indigenous Commission is interested in reviewing the question and will place the item on their next agenda; she recommended involving Indigenous Commission members in naming and interpretive‑signage decisions. Staff said signage and kiosks can be updated over time and that costs of renaming are not necessarily large if changes are phased with new signs.

Next steps: staff will brief the Indigenous Commission at its next meeting, request recommendations on naming and interpretive content, and return those suggestions to the Open Space Commission for consideration.","The commission discussed formally naming Observatory Mesa to reflect its conservation status and cultural significance and asked the Indigenous Commission for input on names and interpretive signage; staff will seek recommendations and return them for consideration.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138780,"Open Space Commission weighs Draft Code Concepts as tool to support pocket parks and connectivity",908,4466000,5374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5582659-3b8f297972115b4139cfd9c9e522fce4&start=4466&end=5374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5582659-3b8f297972115b4139cfd9c9e522fce4/thumbnail_4466000.jpg","/articles/6138780/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/Open-Space-Commission-weighs-Draft-Code-Concepts-as-tool-to-support-pocket-parks-and-connectivity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138780-858312ebbeaffa53b8ed4a868964bbfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775455991&Signature=oHYmHe2kwYjdVxCKpoX3EkJz3zoYu6erQJCrt1nmwoFPYSO87gu5xLbxD6kB-AMrqPnXzlKsuKOU1EPlseaQd37ufR~QrwJa6V74CB0sn16qvbtmRinOv9aYV2iXlWF7uXHSf4v8gPyzyG0MGO1hK3v2~Y5OV1UlnnOSiUuIzM6uL5HDSJBWS92MTWlSgIcfpx0yK~UIAWYolMKvrfmrI0bml6v6g4UKfA2dK1gIOIoDybGPCsUs6gcC8iUNBW58yQ3EL-94-IvBv5rssVZ70eyK1aaFboEPZmTPQaDTyt5oK6MsmauHWRDxL52FSL~aq1HSPjZRmKmCpxh085O7Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Open Space Commission reviewed a draft code‑concepts report—described as a roughly 60‑page analysis with appendices—intended to identify zoning and code changes that could remove barriers to housing, incentivize green building and better integrate open‑space connectivity. Staff framed the document as an implementation tool that sits below the regional plan and could provide concrete regulatory measures to help achieve plan goals.

Commissioners said the draft report presents opportunities to strengthen neighborhood‑level open space, such as pocket parks and trail connections, and to revise the Resource Protection Overlay (RPO) so it better accounts for trail access, tree preservation and connectivity in denser neighborhoods. Staff suggested options such as providing developers additional density or parking flexibility in exchange for improved public access to nearby open space, and recommended asking consultants to run a gap analysis and prioritize projects in the PROS capital plan.

Timing: staff asked the commission for a prioritized list of recommendations and comments by Aug. 11 so staff can compile comments and present consolidated recommendations to council at an October meeting (final code recommendations were described as planned for City Council presentation on Oct. 26). Commissioners agreed to the same two-step consolidation model used for the regional plan: submit top concerns, staff compiles, commission reviews and votes in August.

Next steps: commissioners will provide top recommendations on the code concepts report by Aug. 11; staff will consolidate and include them in the August 25 commission packet for a vote and forwarding to planners.","Commissioners discussed a 60-page code concepts report that analyzes zoning and development codes to support infill, density, green building, and potential updates to the resource protection overlay (RPO); staff urged commissioners to submit prioritized comments by Aug. 11 so planners can incorporate them before council presentations in October.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Flagstaff open-space commissioners press for stronger open-space protections in regional plan review

Staff reports: volunteer events, invasive-species removals and upcoming interpretive activities

Commission considers renaming Observatory Mesa to emphasize natural and cultural preservation

Open Space Commission weighs Draft Code Concepts as tool to support pocket parks and connectivity