A general plan is a statement of a community's vision for growth and development. It provides guidance

and direction on long-range development decisions through a series of goals, policies and related maps. A

general plan primarily addresses physical aspects of growth in terms of land use, transportation, open space,

public facility locations, infrastructure development and similar issues. New requirements for general plans

in Arizona require that economic impacts of various approaches to development be considered although this

should not be considered a plan for economic development nor a program to provide for social services.

To a large extent, the document provides advisory guidelines and policy statements for growth and development,

however, it should be noted that the Plan also addresses certain statutory requirements and provides a legal basis

for certain land use decisions. In order to meet legal requirements, the General Plan is required to include certain elements,

as specified in Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-461.05., so as to address comprehensive long-range growth and

development in the community. The policies and strategies to be developed under these elements shall be designed

to have community-wide applicability. The Plan must be developed with ample opportunity for public input through

out the process. The legislative body of each municipality shall adopt and the electorate shall then ratify the

Plan through an election.

The previous General Plan for the Town of Clarkdale was adopted in 2002. Amendments to the Land Use

Element and Circulation Element were approved by the Town Council in 1998. A General Plan stays in effect

for ten years and at that time must be re-adopted as it is or it may be revised and updated before ratification. It

is the intent of this process to revise the entire Clarkdale General Plan at this time so as to address changes that

have occurred since 2002 and to include new sections required by state statutes through the Growing

Smarter Plus legislation. The issues, goals and policies addressed through the 1991 Plan, the 1998 and 2002 revisions

will serve as the basis for consideration of current issues but may be substantially revised after review and input

from the Committee, the Commission, the Council, members of the public and staff.