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Tucson council sends Plan Tucson 2025 to voters after final edits, adds flexible conservation language
Summary
Mayor and Council approved Plan Tucson 2025 and placed the general plan question on the November ballot after staff incorporated stakeholder edits and added language giving entitlement reviewers flexibility in applying the conservation land system map.
The Tucson Mayor and Council voted unanimously on June 3 to adopt Plan Tucson 2025 and to refer the general plan to city voters in a Nov. 4 special election, after staff incorporated final edits from stakeholders and added a policy to guide conservation and development reviews.
Staff and council said the final draft reflects more than two years of community engagement. The council approved a resolution adopting the plan and an ordinance calling a special election to submit the plan to Tucson voters.
Planning staff described edits made after the May 20 public hearing. Revisions incorporated input from the Tucson‑Pima County Historic Commission, the Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association and the Tucson Neighborhood Undergrounding Coalition, among others. Staff said the edits addressed historic preservation considerations, added flexibility recognizing homebuilders’ concerns in four policies and strengthened language promoting streetscape aesthetics.
One additional change — added to the record at the June 3 meeting — revises land use policy 23. The revised policy reads: “Apply the conservation land system map and guidelines in a flexible manner during entitlement reviews to promote residential and commercial development while protecting natural resources.” Staff told the council the general plan provides high‑level guidance and that the revised policy is intended to allow case‑by‑case refinement as the city implements the plan.
Corin Manning, interim director of Planning and Development Services, told the council the plan will move next to the state attorney general’s office for the statutorily required review and then enter the city’s voter education and outreach phase. If voters ratify Plan Tucson 2025 in November, it will replace the existing general plan and guide rezoning and long‑range decisions.
Why it matters: The general plan sets long‑range goals and policies for growth, land use, transportation and conservation. Changes to the plan shape where development is encouraged and how critical natural and historic resources are protected.
Votes and next steps: The council adopted the plan (Resolution No. 23940) and approved an ordinance to place it before voters (Ordinance No. 12172) by unanimous recorded vote. Staff will deliver the adopted plan to the Arizona attorney general and begin voter outreach ahead of the Nov. 4, 2025 special election.
