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Council pauses vote on updated general plan amid public concerns over scope and language
Summary
The Prescott City Council on March 25 paused a final vote on the city’s updated 2025 General Plan after extended debate and public comment about the document’s scope and language; council voted to table the item to May 27.
Prescott — The Prescott City Council on March 25 paused a final vote on the city’s updated 2025 General Plan after extended discussion and public comment raised concerns about the document’s scope, certain policy phrases and voluntary elements tied to a population threshold.
Tammy DeWitt, the city’s community planner, reviewed edits made to the draft plan since earlier council review and reminded the dais that state statute requires certain elements only if a city’s population exceeds 50,000. Several council members and members of the public argued references to the additional elements should be removed or clarified so voters are not confused about which items are mandatory and which are voluntary.
Mayor Phil Good said he was interested in adopting a plan that is focused and clear: "What is the general plan? In simple terms, the City of Prescott's general plan is a guide for land use decisions in Prescott. So that's what this should be about," he said. Councilmember (name not specified) urged deletion of references to elements required at a 50,000 population threshold and questioned inclusion of topics such as health care, arts and youth programs as part of a land‑use plan.
Members of the public offered opposing views. Public commenters who opposed the draft used terms such as "smart growth," "advanced metering infrastructure" and climate‑related language as examples of phrasing they said could be politicized or used to restrict individual choices. Other speakers, including representatives of Save the Dells and open‑space advocates, urged the council to move the plan forward so the community could vote on it.
After discussion, a motion to defer action on the general plan to the May 27 council meeting passed; staff noted postponing the vote would shift the measure from the August primary ballot to the November general election. The council’s decision to table provides additional time for revision and public engagement before a final vote.
Ending: Council did not adopt the 2025 General Plan on March 25; staff will return with edits and clarifications ahead of the May 27 meeting.
