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Subcommittee reviews general plan goals: water monitoring, renewable energy siting, and housing needs study cited
Summary
Staff presented proposed consolidations and language changes to Mohave Countygeneral plan goals and policies, emphasizing proactive water monitoring, prioritized renewable energy that serves local communities, and updating housing references to the county's 2023 housing needs assessment projecting future dwelling-unit needs.
Planning staff asked the subcommittee to review proposed edits to the goals, policies and implementation measures that make up the Mohave County general plan. Staff said the update is not a complete overhaul but seeks to consolidate redundant items, incorporate area-plan goals and modernize language in sections including water, energy and housing.
Water: staff proposed changing passive language to active policy to "monitor and protect the quantity and quality of water resources throughout the county." Staff and the subcommittee discussed Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) basin water budgets, and staff described a local USGS model the county and City of Kingman used to estimate aquifer sustainability; staff said that model indicated about 130 years of sustained water under current usage rates for the Hualapai Basin and that the county recently approved three monitoring wells that will provide near-real-time (every 15 minutes) groundwater-level data as they are brought online. Commissioners requested staff invite ADWR and ADEQ to brief the commission on water-status and monitoring.
Energy: staff recommended clarifying language so that the general plan prioritizes appropriate locations for renewable energy (wind and solar), avoids siting in sensitive areas, and prioritizes projects that provide power to Mohave County communities.
Housing: commissioners suggested replacing an outdated 2006 housing study reference with the Mohave County Housing Needs Assessment (completed September 2023). A commissioner summarized a study projection cited in the meeting that estimated the unincorporated county would need approximately 23,000 dwelling units over the next 20 years; commissioners discussed managed growth and infrastructure requirements tied to subdivisions versus lot-splitting.
Discussion highlights: Commissioners debated density classifications north of Kingman and whether some areas currently labeled suburban residential should be reclassified as suburban estates (2to5-acre lots) given infrastructure and water concerns. Staff cautioned that lot-splitting outside subdivision review can produce additional parcels without requiring off-site improvements; staff and commissioners favored a stepped density approach (low density, suburban, suburban estates, rural) but invited more detailed mapping edits where commissioners identify specific areas for change.
Outcome and next steps: the subcommittee did not adopt new policies at the meeting. Staff said it will incorporate proposed clarifications (water monitoring language, renewable energy siting language, updated housing study reference) into the general plan draft, pursue briefings from ADWR/ADEQ, and circulate consolidated goals and policies and updated maps to commissioners before the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing.
