The Cochise County Planning Department is holding discussions over the next few months to hear perspectives from the area's residents on change, growth, and development, so they can better evaluate various land use proposals. They indicate that the sessions are geared toward preserving "a positive community character as the area grows."Discussion dates and locations:
- 10/06/07 Saturday - Elementary school, 9am-12pm - Huachuca City
- 10/17/07 Wednesday - Faras Elementary, 6-9pm - Pirtleville
- 10/30/07 Tuesday - Coronado Vineyards, 6-9pm - Willcox
- 11/07/07 Wednesday - Portal Rescue, 6-9pm - Portal
- 11/17/07 Saturday - Cochise College, 9am-12pm - Benson
- 11/28/07 Wednesday - Valley View School, 6-9pm - Palominas
- 12/05/07 Wednesday - Coronado School, 6-9pm - Hereford
- 12/15/07 Saturday - Tombstone High School, 9am-12pm - Tombstone
- 1/16/08 Wednesday - Pomerene School, 6-9pm
- 1/24/08 Thursday - Sunsites Community Ctr., 9am-12pm
- 2/06/08 Wednesday - Elfrida Community Ctr., 6-9pm
- 2/20/08 Wednesday - San Simon Elementary, 6-9pm
- 3/05/08 Wednesday - Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 6-9pm
Here are some points you might consider making at the sessions: the County should strive to protect and preserve the area's heritage resources, including historic places and archaeological sites; take water adequacy into account in land use decisions; go for sustainability in water, not just adequacy; evaluate developing in a sustainable manner focusing on better not bigger; be mindful of existing residents and protecting their quality of life rather than the current structures which favor future residents at the expense of those living here now; take care of and strengthen local small businesses, including food production.
Please encourage Cochise County to emulate what Pima County did with its Comprehensive Plan, which was to utilize biological significance when determining where growth should be directed. This should include mapping regional biological habitat and historic resources; using biological information to determine land use; ensuring landscape connectivity; identifying development standards to be utilized in biologically sensitive areas. [Note: For more information, click here.]
