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INTRODUCTION
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THE PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN

Our Town has experienced many changes over the past decade. These changes have affected our economy, our Town’s services, our schools, our access to the environment, and our lifestyle.   We believe that our Town is at a crossroad, and that this Plan will provide direction to ensure that the changes we will continue to experience results in the future quality of life and the lifestyles that we desire.  We believe that this Plan sets the foundation for Eagar to become a regenerative community with the highest quality of life in the region.

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HOW THIS PLAN SHOULD BE USED

This General Plan provides information and recommendations to assist Town decision-makers as they guide Eagar into the future. Residents, businesses, and those wishing to do business in the Town can use this plan to help them understand their community and decide how Eagar will meet the challenges that may be presented to it. In accordance with AR.S. § 9-461.05, this plan guides land use and zoning decisions. Individuals or entities that own land in Eagar, or are considering the purchase of land within the Town limits, would be wise to consult this document regarding the types of land use, transportation and open spaces the Town encourages.

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CHALLENGES ADDRESSED BY THIS PLAN

Eagar currently has a high quality of life. Its residents are well educated and have higher average household incomes than that of the County. To maintain and enhance our quality of life and accomplish our vision, we must meet many challenges. These include providing jobs for all residents that wish to work, increasing our sales tax base and capturing a higher portion of the sales taxes paid by our residents. It will also be important to maintain and update portions of our higher density mobile home neighborhoods, protect the Little Colorado River floodplain and other important natural resources, and meet the public service needs of our residents. In particular the General Plan elements include goals, objectives and policies to help us:

Provide Jobs for All Residents That Wish To Work

While our year 2000 unemployment rate was less than 3%, many of our residents are not included in the total labor force calculations. In the past decade changes in our historically dominant industry – forestry – have resulted in the shutdown of our mill and the loss of many jobs. We need to restructure our economy so that Eagar provides new employment opportunities for its residents and others who wish to work in Eagar.

Increase Our Sales Tax Base and Capture A Higher Portion of the Sales Taxes Paid by Other Residents

Our year 2000 per capita annual sales tax collections were less than $85.00. While other fees contribute to these services, sales tax is an important funding source providing police, fire, recreation, and other general fund services to our residents. By increasing the number of retail establishments where sales taxes can be collected, we can enhance the quality of life for our residents by providing them with a wider range of and improved services and shopping choices, and provide employment opportunities.

Maintain and Update Portions of Our Higher Density Manufactured Housing Neighborhoods

Approximately 25% of our manufactured housing stock is over 10 years old. As these units continue to age, they will need to be rehabilitated, updated or replaced.

Conserve the Little Colorado River floodplain

The Little Colorado River is one of the most prominent features of our Town. Its presence helps to reinforce the rural character of our community, connect us with our environment and provide a habitat for birds and other wildlife.  This connection to our environment is important to conserve as our Town moves into the future.

Meet the Public Service Needs of Our Residents

Our water system's 1 ,498,700-gallon storage capacity is not adequate. Our wastewater system will also need to be expanded and upgraded as our Town continues to grow. Older streets throughout the Town may be in need of paving or re-paving. Non-motorized circulation, which could be provided by additional trails that complement the existing trail along Central Avenue, should be considered to provide transportation choices and recreation opportunities for tourists and residents.

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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM

Many people contributed to this General Plan, including residents, business owners, school officials, community leaders and Town staff. To inform as many people as possible about the development of this plan, the Town adopted Resolution 2001-4 on May 1, 2001 and implemented an aggressive public involvement program. This included public meetings, participation in “Eagar Daze,” press releases, and stakeholder interviews. Public participation in future amendments to this Plan, which may be considered by the Town, will be guided by the Town’s adopted public involvement process. The goals of this program are to:

· Promote citizen involvement and encourage participation in the development of the General Plan Update.
· Involve stakeholders, including citizens, landowners, non-landowners, business representatives, and minority groups.
· Understand the residents’ attitudes and opinions regarding the direction of Eagar’s growth and development, key issues facing Eagar and their hopes for Eagar’s future.
· Provide information to the citizens and general public throughout the process.
· Keep the plan in the public eye throughout the process and establish programs to promote public support and approval of the plan.
· Promote intergovernmental and interagency cooperation and collaboration.
· Meet the requirements of Growing Smarter as amended through the Arizona Revised Statutes.

To accomplish these goals the following strategies were implemented during this General Plan Update:

· Establish a General Plan Project Advisory Committee that included a diverse group of residents, landowners and business representatives.
· Conduct meetings with major employers, civic groups, major landowners and developers.
· Meet with elected Town officials to discuss their goals and desires for the community’s future.
· Hold community-wide meetings, open to the general public and announced in water bills or by other means, to introduce the planning process and present the goals and
objectives, land use map and plan elements, and to allow citizens the opportunity for input and review and to provide written comment.
· Consult with school districts, the community college, the flood control district, public
utility companies, tribal governments, and civic, educational, professional and other organizations to secure maximum input and coordination.

In the development of this plan, four public meetings were held. During the planning process, three land use alternatives were developed and presented for review and comment at Eagar Daze, and at a public meeting and meeting of the Project Advisory Committee, both held on August 29, 2001. These alternatives include an Environmental Alternative, a Commercial Alternative, and a Rural Alternative, and are described below.

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ENVIRONMENTAL ALTERNATIVE

The Environmental Alternative (Figure 1) emphasizes the preservation of sensitive environmental areas while still permitting moderate commercial growth. One goal is to protect the Lower Colorado River floodplain as open space. Another concept is the creation of a west entry portal to “celebrate” Eagar and the relationship with the Lower Colorado River. The east entry area would be the place to focus commercial development. A trail would tie open space to the east entry. The residential housing north of the east entry would be 4 to 6 dwelling units per acre (du/ac). The vistas from the west side of Town would be preserved with low-density residential housing. One of the “clean” industry concepts is the potential for an environmentally friendly wood chip power plant at the existing sawmill site on School Bus Road.

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Summary

· Light commercial development and a formal gateway concept, such as a monument or park, should be developed for the intersection of Highway 180 and Central Avenue.
· The floodplain should be preserved as open space with a network of trails.
· The housing in the vicinity of the Little Colorado River and its tributaries should be low density, and should consider the preservation of the vistas of the hills.

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COMMERCIAL ALTERNATIVE

This alternative places an emphasis on commercial development (figure 2). Big box retail, such as a Wal-Mart or a Kmart Super Center, could be located along Central Avenue, east of Main Street and along Main Street outside the commercial core. A new road is proposed that would connect the Springerville Airport to Central Avenue, at the west side of Town. This alternative would capitalize on the potential for airport related industry that would be located near the intersection of the new road and Central Avenue. Residential development along the Little Colorado River and elsewhere in the Town is suggested to be at higher densities to support proposed retail development.

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Summary

· A commercial node at the intersection of Central Avenue with SR 180/191 is suggested to capture potential consumers who drive past Eagar on their way north.
· A commercial node is recommended at the intersection of Central Avenue with the proposed airport road to capture tourism and business-related retail.
· The downtown is recommended as the location for service residential and tourist-related businesses.
· Big box retail is envisioned at locations along Central Avenue, at the intersection of Central Avenue and SR 180/191, and along Main Street.
· Office/industrial uses are planned along the proposed airport road.

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RURAL ALTERNATIVE

The Rural Alternative (figure 3) proposes predominantly low density residential land uses with a commercial district focused on Main Street.

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Summary

· Main Street remains the focus of commercial development.
· The predominant land use is very low density residential.

 

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Updated 1-5-05
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