The Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission presented the process for updating the city of Cottonwood’s General Plan at an introductory meeting on Monday, Feb. 27, that was intended as a vision and values meeting to discuss the overall plan and guide future discussions.
The General Plan is the city’s guide for future development. It is updated every 10 years, by state law, and was last adopted in 2014. As part of the update process, the city will be hosting multiple public meetings to canvas residents’ views.
The discussion was led by Cottonwood senior planner Gary Davis, who discussed how the city atlas informs both its General Plan and strategic plan.
According to Davis, Cottonwood’s population is around 12,300, and the regional population rises to around 31,800 when Clarkdale, Cornville and the Verde Villages are included. Median age is 53.3 and median household income around $39,000 per year. About 55% of the city’s land is held by the U.S. Forest Service, while 19% is available for development. Cottonwood currently has 800 housing units approved and pending completion, with room in existing residential areas for another 1,100 units.
Eighty percent of jobs in Cottonwood are held by nonresidents who commute, while 79% of the city’s employed residents commute to jobs outside Cottonwood due to housing availability in the region.
Davis also reviewed key topics from development and growth, human services and what aspects of vibrancy to enhance.
One resident commented that a lack of parking in Old Town is causing tourists to pass it by instead of stopping and bringing in revenue for the city. He also stated that new buildings in Old Town should match the old ones and maintain its historic feel.
Commission Vice Chairman Randy Garrison claimed that Cactus Street in Old Town is becoming problematic and needs traffic calming measures similar to those that have been implemented elsewhere in town.
Chairwoman Lindsay Masten proposed a shuttle for tourists to solve the Old Town parking problems, commenting that other tourist towns have trolleys that work great. Masten argued that tourists who won’t want to take a bus would be willing to pay for a trolley because they find it quaint.
Other commissioners agreed on the importance of maintaining and improving the walkability of Old Town.
Three additional sets of focus meetings are planned:
- Thursday, March 9, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 11, at 10 a.m.: Land use, economic development and housing.
- Thursday, March 16, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 18, at 10 a.m.: Natural resources and city services.
- Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 1, at 10 a.m.: Circulation and public safety
