Cottonwood is proposing to annex two areas to its north into
its city limits. One is 10 square miles of State Trust Land bisected by
89A from Bill Gray Road to approximately Spring Creek. The other is 8+
square miles of Coconino National Forest to the west of this State Land.
Following are some frequently asked questions and answers about these
annexations.
Once annexed will Cottonwood own the lands?
No, the lands will still be owned by the State Lands and the US Forest
Service. Annexation means that city regulations will apply and city services
will be available in the area.
Why does Cottonwood want to annex these lands?
The State Lands are seen as a future growth area and Cottonwood believes
its regulations will lead to a higher quality of development. It will
also cause business developments in the area to charge city sales tax.
The city has adopted a resolution that it desires the Forest Land remain
as open space. However, resolutions don’t have the power to regulate
so this is only an advisory to the Forest Service.
Why will the State Lands be developed? Can’t they remain as they
are?
State Lands are constitutionally required to be sold for the “highest
and best use” (read: most amount of money) to benefit public schools.
When there is interest in development they are sold to the highest bidder.
Are developers interested in these lands at the present time?
If so, it has not been made public information.
If there isn’t any developer interest, why annex the land now?
The State Land Department requires a land use plan be formulated prior
to any annexation. Cottonwood wants to have a plan in place to better
control future development.
When could development begin?
This is difficult to predict. It will depend on the economic climate and
the types of developments contained in the plan.
What types of development could be in the plan?
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The present plan, as designed by the city’s consultant planners,
contains 23,000 homes and 696 acres of commercial zoning. Other ideas
for development include vineyards ,energy fields, business/industrial
parks, a convention center or a regional airport. These haven’t
been addressed by the consultant planners to this writer’s knowledge.
How could these annexations affect the Verde Valley?
With regard to the Forest Land, the Coconino National Forest’s general
plan states that annexed lands are more likely than other forest land
to be placed in their basis for exchange. In other words, more likely
to be traded to a private owner. At this time, the Coconino NF has no
plans to place this land in its basis for exchange as it has strong forest
character and some threatened or endangered species. Coconino NF is concerned
about possible detrimental impacts to this land by the residential development
in the present plan for State Lands to the east. Should the Forest Lands
become degraded their likelihood of being traded would increase.
The present plan for the State Lands could add 50,000+ people to the population
of the Verde Valley at completion. This would almost equal the present
population of 60,000+. Many are concerned as to how this would affect
water resources and river flows. Water resource studies were mandated
for completion by the Verde River Basin Partnership, but due to Congress’
unwillingness to fund the Partnership these critical studies are undone.
Ed Wolfe, USGS retired, has written in Verde Watershed Assn. “Currents”
that 50,000+ people in that area would eventually reduce the Verde’s
base flow by 4260 acre feet (about six cubic feet/second), even though
the city would require conservation through reclaimed water re-use. Other
effects of 50,000+ people include tangibles like traffic and air quality
as well as a change in our small town quality of life.
I’m concerned, what can I do?
Speak to your local officials and ask for a planning process that will
explore development plans that don’t involve such a drastic increase
in population. If you don’t live in Cottonwood, your officials could
express their concerns to the State Land Department. Land uses that could
improve our region, increase the land’s value and be compatible
with the environment are possible for these lands. Strategically placed
developments could preserve wildlife habitat and corridors along with
the neighboring forest. Scenic view sheds could be left for all to appreciate.
What are your ideas for developments that could add value for the citizens
of the Verde Valley?
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