Draft Meeting Summary
Project: Northwest Citizens Group
Date: August 11, 2008 Time: 7:00pm
Location: Saguaro Jane’s Community Center

NWG Members Attending
Janis Atherton, Hassayampa Chamber of Commerce
Bruce Benner, Wittmann Resident
Harry Dame, Morristown Fire Chief
Sue Dolphin, Wittmann Resident
Mike Jones, Pastor, local church
Patrick Leadabrand, Real Estate Broker
Larry Radish, President Hassayampa Chamber of Commerce
Bob Rurka, Pastor, Calvary’s River of Life Church
Renee Simpson, Simpson Roofing
Nancy Utter, Mobile Gardens
Jim Welch, Wittmann Fire Chief
Jacky Young, Saguaro Jane’s

Staff and Consultants Attending
John Godec, Godec, Randall, & Associates
Debbie Perry, City of Surprise
Janice See, City of Surprise

Additional Attendees:
Councilman John Longabaugh
Brenda Longabaugh
Joseph W. Lee, attorney
Vicky Rurka

Meeting Facilitation: John Godec
Meeting Summary: Debbie Perry

MEETING HANDOUTS:

• Binders
• Upcoming project lists and maps
• Northwest Citizens Group updated Member Roster

FOLLOW UP FROM PREVIOUS MEETING:

There was consensus among the members that the Operating Policy is acceptable and the Northwest Citizen Group will operate with these guidelines.

The Wittmann post office has agreed to make space to display the quarterly newsletter published by the city, The Surprise Progress, and the Surprise Republic, which comes out in the Arizona Republic three times a week. We are currently working with the Arizona Republic to see if they will distribute the insert to the area.

GENERAL NWG MEMBER COMMENTS:

There was discussion regarding the Development Status Map and the County Zoning Map that was provided in the binders. Land use is decided first and then the zoning, so on the provided maps the land use is different than the zoning classification. All zoning for this area is decided on by Maricopa County.

GENERAL PLAN PRESENTATION:

The General Plan was adopted almost 10 years ago and is a map for planning for 20, 30, or 50 years from now. It is a requirement by state statute.

The city held a series of meetings to get public feedback on what they would like to see in the city. People said they wanted:
• A city at play, with play grounds, horse trails, and open space.
• A village concept, with each village having its own unique character.
• A focus on public transportation.
• Neighborhoods where residents can live and play.
• To be an environmental leader.
• Transportation to focus on commuter rail.
• A major university in the city.

The General Plan was approved by the City Council in July 2008. The entire General Plan is located online at www.surpriseaz.com for review.

Village Concept

Each village would have its own character, architecture, and feel. The City of Phoenix has a village concept and some examples would be Desert Ridge, Awahutukee, and Maryvale. All are unique and their own village, but all are located in the City of Phoenix.

The facilitator led the group through an exercise to provide input on the design of the villages in the area, village 6, 7, 8, and 9. The members broke into 3 groups.

• There was consistency with the 3 groups that the core part of the village be located along SR 60.
• An idea was presented to re-draw the village boundaries. There would be 3 villages so the current communities would not be separated. Village 6 = Wittmann; Village 7 = Circle City; Village 8 = Morristown.

The city’s proposal of village boundaries is expected by the end of the year and will be brought back to this group before going to the City Council for decision.

ACTION ITEMS

ACTIVITY WHO WHEN
Development Review Process Flow Chart Deb September 8 meeting
Invite members of Transportation Commission to meeting
Jan See
October Meeting

DECISIONS:

• It was agreed by the group that visitors should sign in when attending meetings and fill out a speaker slip if they would like to comment or ask a question.
• A standing agenda item will be an update on Council meeting decisions that affect the area

NEXT MEETING:

September 8, 2008 from 7:00 – 9:00pm at the Saguaro Jane’s Community Center. A light dinner will be available for NWG members at 6:30pm.