Prescott council approves charter amendment to send open-space protections to voters, adds two parcels

The Prescott City Council voted 5-2 on Feb. 25 to place a charter amendment on the Aug. 5, 2025 ballot that would protect dozens of city-owned natural open-space properties in perpetuity and specify permissible uses on those parcels.

City Attorney Joe Young and staff presented a revised draft after months of meetings with petitioners and public input. The amendment aims to prevent city-owned open space from being sold or transferred without voter approval and to specify allowed uses such as trails, trailheads, restroom facilities and other limited ancillary infrastructure.

Supporters said the measure responds to long-standing community concerns that council majorities could dispose of valued natural areas. Petitioners and civic groups urged the council to send the measure to the voters quickly; dozens of residents spoke in favor during the meeting.

Council discussion centered on which parcels to include and what uses should be permitted. Staff told the council they had reviewed about 500 city-owned parcels and had proposed a list of 24 properties covering roughly 3,000 acres — including iconic sites such as Thumb Butte, Watson Lake, Willow Lake and Goldwater Lake. Staff described two Watson Woods parcels and three West Granite Creek parcels that were initially omitted because of mixed uses, existing leases and mapping/access issues.

Councilmember Roosing moved to adopt the ordinance placing the amendment on the ballot with modifications to add the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve (the riparian preserve area specifically) and to include a West Granite Creek parcel (parcel 800-11-029). The motion excluded adding the broader set of additional uses discussed on an earlier slide. The motion and an accompanying resolution were adopted 5-2.

Opponents on the dais expressed concern about the charter approach and the potential loss of flexibility for future councils; two council members voted against the ordinance. During public comment, preservation advocates urged adoption and said the charter amendment could be expanded later if needed. Several speakers requested that the council finalize clear maps and ballot text so voters understand what they are voting on.

The measure as approved for placement on the ballot now identifies specific properties for protection, with the two parcels added by council motion. Staff said Watson Woods was omitted initially because some parcels include city operations, utilities and existing long-term leases; council direction allowed staff to include the riparian preserve area and finalize mapping prior to ballot-language approval.

The council directed staff to bring final ballot language and maps back for approval in coming weeks; staff indicated March 25 as the date the city intends to present ballot language for all items on the primary ballot.

Votes at the meeting show the council moved to place the charter amendment on the ballot with the modifications noted. The council also approved a related resolution to accept the citizen petition as part of the packet of documents for the ballot measure.

The charter amendment, if approved by voters, would change the city charter and could be amended only by another charter amendment vote in the future. Staff and petitioners said conservation easements and long-term leases affecting some properties (for example, Watson Woods) remain in place or under negotiation but do not replace the proposed charter protection.

Staff timeline: the city opened a process of public review and is preparing updated parcel maps and ballot text for council review. The council vote at the Feb. 25 meeting moves the measure to the ballot but does not change current land use or operations pending voter action.

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