Coconino County holds public hearing on Envision 2045 comprehensive plan after multi-year outreach

Coconino County staff presented Envision 2045 on Nov. 18, telling the Board of Supervisors the document updates the county’s comprehensive plan for the first time since 2015 and reflects extensive public outreach. Melissa Shaw, the county’s long‑range planner, said the update covers the entire county, includes new maps, updated data and nine chapters addressing land use, circulation, housing, natural resources, water and public safety, and links policies to an implementation list of 51 action items.

“Approximately 12 million acres are in the county,” Shaw said in the presentation, noting outreach that produced “over 1,800 in‑person contacts” and multiple focus groups and surveys. Shaw summarized three core values drawn from that outreach: maintaining a rural lifestyle and managing growth, stewarding the natural environment (water and forest health), and advancing diverse communities and services.

Shaw walked the board through key policy directions: concentrating higher density development near rural centers with services, encouraging conservation of large ranches to limit fragmentation, promoting forest restoration and Firewise education, and creating a countywide water resources plan. She described a new housing chapter, policies to advance broadband to unserved areas, and a proposal to add a high‑priority implementation item to work with internet service providers.

Staff also described changes in attachment A, including clarifying terminology for references to tribal nations and recommending removal of a lengthy appendix that staff said contained material that may not accurately reflect tribal perspectives. Shaw said legal staff helped refine language and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended forwarding the public‑hearing draft to the board.

Public comment included brief praise and concerns. A speaker identified as Mister Revels commended the plan and staff outreach: “The plan is exceptional in terms of public input and outreach,” he said. Sean Gullaher told the board he had submitted comments earlier, warned of potential legal challenges and funding risks and urged stronger water provisions and economic diversification.

Chair Patrice Horstman closed the public hearing and thanked staff. The transcript records the hearing, public testimony and board comment but does not include a recorded board vote adopting the plan in this excerpt; staff presented a resolution (Resolution 2025‑63, Case PZAM25001) for consideration. Next procedural steps noted during the presentation included any further board deliberations and formal action on the resolution at a subsequent point.

The county framed Envision 2045 as a guide to prioritize implementation actions over the next decade, including high‑priority items such as broadband expansion to underserved areas and water resources planning. The plan text and Attachment A will be available to supervisors and the public for further review before any final adoption vote.