Coconino County adopts Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045 as minor amendment to Envision 2045
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Summary
After a multi-year review and public outreach process, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045 as a minor amendment to the county's comprehensive plan, with four parcel-level map edits and an effective date of June 3, 2026.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045 as a minor amendment to Envision 2045 at its Jan. 27 meeting, after staff described changes and a public hearing recorded no speakers.
County long-range planner Melissa Shaw and Flagstaff project lead Sarah Dechter told the board the regional plan is a parcel-specific update to the region's prior plan and covers the Flagstaff metropolitan planning organization boundary (about 525 square miles). Staff said the plan aligns the city's and county's goals and policies on housing, climate, transportation and water, while allowing city-only and county-only policy language where responsibilities differ.
Shaw highlighted four staff-recommended map edits before adoption: a narrow Shultz Pass Road parcel group reclassified from suburban to rural neighborhood (planning commission recommendation), two Belmont-area parcels reclassified to better match adjacent zoning (one moved from rural neighborhood to suburban neighborhood; another to employment district), and a small portion of Raymond County Park reclassified from rural center to parks and open space. Staff said the planning commission had reviewed the changes and recommended approval.
The board found that the amendment met the minor-amendment criteria in state law and the county code, including that it constitutes an improvement over the 2013 regional plan, does not materially change the existing character of affected areas, and is consistent with Envision 2045. Chair Patrice Horstman praised the collaborative process, noting extensive public outreach and repeated county-city coordination over three years.
The city of Flagstaff previously approved the plan and scheduled a ratification vote for Flagstaff residents on May 19, 2026; county staff said the county's adoption would take effect June 3, 2026. Staff will publish updated interactive maps and the revised plan after the county's final administrative steps.
"As the region evolves, we commit to preserving our unique character, embracing our rich history, and safeguarding our precious natural resources," the plan's vision reads, language staff cited as underpinning the county's findings. The board's vote was 5-0 in favor among the supervisors present.
