Queen Creek staff outline downtown core update and municipal campus planning

Town planning staff presented a status update on downtown-core planning and an emerging municipal campus strategy, describing next steps for zoning, development standards and public-safety facilities.

Les (Planning Manager) and Eric (Development Services staff) briefed the commission on the evolution of the town center plan (original plan in 1994 with updates in 2005, 2011, a comprehensive update in 2018, and a 2024 action-plan update). Staff said the town engaged consultants to evaluate optimal development intensity for a roughly 6-acre town-owned parcel within the downtown core and to assist with several implementation tasks identified in last year’s action plan.

Staff described four priority tasks for 2025 focused on the downtown core: (1) assess and update the permitted uses table for the downtown core zoning (staff noted this requires detailed consideration, giving an example whether a cigar lounge should be permitted), (2) define development standards (height, floor-area-ratio, stepbacks), (3) update parking standards specifically for downtown (instead of using townwide, auto-centric parking ratios), and (4) refine and consolidate design standards and guidelines with clear illustrations of desired building form and materials.

Separately, staff described a municipal campus planning effort to accommodate growing police department needs. Staff said renovations to the former Barney Family Sports Complex are underway to create training space (including a gun range) and other ancillary police uses, but that this facility is not intended to be the department’s headquarters or main operations center. Staff said there is a need for a long-term, phased campus plan that could include consolidated police facilities, parking solutions (including the possibility of a parking structure), and future spaces for prosecutors and a local court presence.

Commissioners asked about community outreach; staff said they will coordinate with economic development, the business committee and the chamber of commerce and that direct outreach methods have not been finalized. Commissioners also asked about Founders Park and whether it will be used for overflow parking; staff said that has not been determined and that initial campus planning is focused on keeping municipal needs on the campus itself where possible. Staff said relocation of the adjacent dog park is possible as campus demands evolve but no decision has been made.

Staff said the campus and downtown efforts will be a multi-phased effort through 2025 and beyond, and that additional updates will be provided to the commission.