In a state growing as rapidly as Arizona, responsible planning is impossible
without cooperation between local, regional and state agencies. Recent passage
of Prop 400, which provides funding for implementation of the Maricopa County
Regional Transportation Plan, is a great example of the success that regional
cooperation can bring. Now we must apply these same planning techniques at the
statewide level.
Future development of the 275 square miles of Superstition Vistas state trust
land in northern Pinal County provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to
implement such cooperative planning practices on a large scale. Encouragingly,
the idea is being embraced by key planning agencies.
Recent discussions with representatives from the Arizona Department of
Transportation (ADOT), the Arizona State Land Department, the Maricopa
Association of Governments (MAG), the Central Arizona Association of Governments
(CAAG) and Pinal County about the three Corridor Definition Studies that ADOT is
currently engaged in for this area have been promising. These studies seek to
identify future transportation needs based on population projections. With a
landmass equal to that of Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek combined, population
projections indicate it is likely that more than 400,000 new residents will live
on this parcel by 2030 and it may have close to 1 million people when fully
developed. Accordingly, to accommodate a population this large and preserve
adequate right-of-way, all corridors should be identified and protected now.
Although only in its preliminary planning stages, the State Land Department
and ADOT already recognize the importance of preserving adequate transportation
corridors. Such forward thinking will not only benefit future residents through
shorter commute times and an ability to plan their homes near or away from major
transportation routes, but also will benefit students throughout the state by
garnering a higher price for the state trust land, the sale of which supports
Arizona’s public schools.
Decades of growth and an increasingly robust real estate market have made one
thing clear – more rooftops are coming. By working together to focus on future
transportation and land use planning simultaneously, Arizona’s leaders can
exhibit the type of thoughtful, comprehensive and responsible planning methods
that will ensure sustainability for future generations.
The Arizona State Land Department, ADOT, and all of the local and regional
agencies working with them are to be commended for their willingness to work
together. The cooperative planning being done now will result in a stronger,
more cohesive community tomorrow.
