Prescott council narrows future land-use map; staff to remove West Outer Loop commercial node

Prescott City Council members on June 12 directed staff to revise the draft 2025 General Plan future land-use map, removing a proposed commercial node along West Outer Loop Road while retaining a commercial/employment node near Highway 89 and adjusting several residential-density designations.

Counsel said the changes reflect council discussion from earlier meetings and new on-the-ground observations. Chelsea Walton, the city’s community development director, told the council the map updates incorporate committee, planning commission and public input and that staff will fold approved language into the “pretty” format for a June 24 voting meeting.

The council debated two west-side issues in particular: a commercial node on West Outer Loop Road and six map sections west of the Prescott airport-specific area plan boundary. Walton said staff’s review of adjacent jurisdictions and regional planning documents showed no pending projects or roadway connections that would support a West Outer Loop commercial node. Walton recommended removing that node from the final map.

Several councilmembers pressed different approaches. Councilwoman Freeworth said she visited the western area and described it as “country… gorgeous… undeveloped,” and said she would not support including the area in the city plan now. Councilman Grady and Councilwoman Freeworth both backed stopping the plan boundary at the airport-specific area planning (ASAP) line. Councilman Montoya asked whether removing sections from the plan would prevent so-called “wildcat”…