Queen Creek begins outreach for 2028 General Plan update; adds elements as population grows

The Planning and Zoning Commission received an introduction to the upcoming 2028 General Plan update, including the required plan elements, outreach approach and a proposed schedule that would bring a council vote in mid‑2027 and a voter ratification no later than March 2028.

Sarah Clark of the Development Services Department described the general plan as the town’s guiding framework for future growth and land‑use decisions. Clark said the 2018 plan emphasized Queen Creek’s “friendly hometown atmosphere” and agricultural heritage and that state statute prescribes required elements for municipal general plans.

Clark explained that communities with populations above 50,000 must include additional elements; because Queen Creek has grown from just under 50,000 at the last vote to about 80,000 residents now, the 2028 update will expand elements such as transportation, housing and public safety and will add chapters for public services and facilities, conservation and energy, among others.

The land‑use map will be a central element of the update. Clark walked commissioners through the plan’s broad categories — rural (large‑lot single family), neighborhood (lower‑density housing and small commercial), urban (downtown walkable mixed‑use), commercial (auto‑oriented centers) and industrial — and she described an attributes table the town uses to match zoning districts to the general plan categories.

Clark said the process will be comprehensive and is expected to take about 18 months. Staff have requested a consultant; if approved by council as part of the budget cycle, the RFP for a consultant would begin in July 2025. Clark outlined an anticipated timeline of plan development from December 2025 through July 2027, a council vote in July 2027 and a public vote in November 2027 or, at the latest, March 2028.

She described outreach tools including open houses, social media campaigns, online engagement, stakeholder meetings, focus groups and meetings with town committees and commissions. Clark said planning staff will host monthly work sessions with the Planning and Zoning Commission to solicit feedback on each element, and commissioners will serve as liaisons to encourage public participation.

Commissioners asked about legislative changes affecting housing policy, including “missing middle” housing, and Clark said state statute is “pretty narrow” on required elements but that state legislation and housing policy developments will inform the update. Commissioners also asked about specific sites raised by residents; staff said Box Canyon already has approved zoning and a development agreement and that utilities and arterial roadway improvements are being coordinated to support the developer’s planned construction. Staff provided an update on an inert landfill site the town acquired — described as a roughly 50‑acre parcel intended for passive park and water recharge uses — and noted a separate 30‑acre parcel under agreement for a community park adjacent to the Queen Creek Wash.

Clark closed by saying more meetings and outreach are planned and that staff will return to the commission to begin the detailed element work.