Prescott Planning Commission backs 1–7 dwelling‑unit future land‑use band, sends 2025 general plan and code update to council

The City of Prescott Planning Commission on Jan. 30 voted 4‑1 to adopt a change to the draft future land‑use map that removes a “very low density” designation and keeps a low‑to‑medium density band of 1–7 dwelling units per acre for North Prescott, then unanimously recommended the 2025 general plan for City Council review and approved a separate land‑development‑code amendment to meet a new state deadline.

The vote on the future land‑use map — the portion of the general plan that guides where different densities are imagined to occur — followed a lengthy presentation from Tammy DeWitt, community planner for the City of Prescott, and public comment from landowner representatives and residents. DeWitt said state law (cited in meeting materials as Arizona Revised Statutes 9‑461.06) requires private and state trust land not be labeled as open space and that a minimum of one dwelling unit per acre be allowed on such parcels.

Why it matters: the future land‑use map is not zoning, but it informs later annexation and rezoning decisions, infrastructure planning and the city’s long‑range water management work. Keeping a 1–7 du/acre band gives the city flexibility when parcels outside current corporate limits are later annexed; reverting to a single 1‑du/acre “very low” category would make some subsequent changes subject to a major general‑plan amendment with a 60‑day public comment period and a supermajority city‑council vote.

Discussion and public comment

Tammy DeWitt told commissioners the map changes target North Prescott — an area that abuts significant state trust land and large ranch holdings — and that staff removed a <1‑du/acre…