Goals Worksheet

Thatcher General Plan Update

 

 

The purpose of this worksheet is to generate ideas, identify issues and focus on goals for the community with respect to the Elements to be contained in the General Plan.  Relative priorities are important in formulating a plan for the Town. 

 

Thatcher’s current goals for Land Use and Economic Development, Circulation and Public Services and Facilities are included for your review and reference purposes.  Some examples from the City of Safford General Plan are also included.  While they may or may not be relevant or accurate, they provide a local example.  Feel free to edit existing goals or create new ones that better fit the community today.

 

Some examples of key issues are provided as a starting point.  You may indicate support for suggested examples or write-in your own.

 

Please rank your preferred or suggested new goals based on top priorities.  Mark a “1” next to the highest priority for each Plan Element, a “2” for the next highest and so on.

 

 

 

Existing Thatcher Land Use Goals

The Town’s Plan includes five (5) goals for Land Use:

 

  1. An enriched quality of life and community image.

 

  1. A revitalized stock of mature residential housing and viable commercial development in Thatcher.

 

  1. Preserve agricultural land to maintain the Town’s history and sustain a portion of its economic base.

 

  1. A quality housing inventory for the residents of Thatcher and the growing student population of Eastern Arizona College.

 

  1. An economically viable and balanced inventory of commercial services and goods to serve the needs of a diverse regional community.

 

  1. A sufficient amount of stable, identifiable and functional industrial districts that are compatible with adjacent uses.

 

 

Existing Safford Land Use Goals

The City’s Plan includes eight (8) goals for land use:

 

  1. Ensure that Future Development is Managed to Achieve Orderly, Directed Growth Within the Corporate Boundaries.

 

  1. City Zoning and Development Ordinances Reflect the Character of the Community and Support the Implementation of the General Plan.

 

  1. Ensure that Future Development is Consistent With Safford’s Unique Character.

 

  1. Provide for Sufficient Land to Expand the City’s Commercial and Employment Base.

 

  1. Residential Development Shall Make the Best Use of Available Parcels Within the Existing Corporate Boundaries.

 

  1. Halt and Reverse the Deterioration of Older Residential and Commercial Areas of the City.

 

  1. Support Existing Agricultural Activities Within the City.

 

  1. Address Cross-Jurisdictional Issues Through Regional Planning.

 

 

Thatcher Land Use Issues and Goals:

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Existing Thatcher Economic Development Goals

The Town’s Plan includes seven (7) goals for Economic Development:

 

  1. A near- and long-term tax revenue and employment benefit by attracting new commercial business, tourism and other industry into Thatcher.

 

  1. A group of high quality firms that can generate substantial new tax revenues and higher paying job opportunities in the Town.

 

  1. A significant number of new, quality jobs, and increased tax revenues achieved through selected business investment attraction incentives.

 

  1. A database of Federal, State and local small business assistance programs and a partnership with the Eastern Arizona College by the EDO to promote small business development training within the community.

 

  1. A significant increase in seasonal and short-stay tourism within the community, producing positive revenue generation.

 

  1. A close working relationship with Eastern Arizona College and the Thatcher Unified School District to provide job training options which will be available for business prospects.


 

 

Economic Development Issues and Goals:

Jobs, revenue and economic stability are among the topics that can be addressed in the Economic Development Element.  The General Plan will provide the framework for a more specific Economic Development Strategy for the Town.

 

Potential Issues:

 

§                     Types of industry

§                     Convenient shopping, restaurants

§                     Changing/diversifying economic base

§                     Well-paying jobs

 

 

 

Thatcher Economic Development Issues and Goals:

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Existing Thatcher Circulation Goals

The Town’s Plan includes one (1) goal for Circulation:

 

  1. A safe, convenient and efficient circulation system for transporting both people and goods within and through the Town of Thatcher.

 

 

Existing Safford Circulation Goals

The Plan includes 21 goals for Circulation including:

 

  1. Complete undeveloped segments of 26th Avenue to provide an uninterrupted route from 20th Avenue to 1st Avenue.

 

  1. Extend 20th Street to provide an uninterrupted route from 20th Avenue to First Avenue.

 

  1. Cooperate with Graham County to extend 20th Avenue south from Discovery Park Boulevard to intersect with Lebanon Road.

 

  1. Complete extension of 8th Ave. south to Discovery Park Boulevard.

 

  1. Extend 14th Avenue both north and south to establish continuous route between Discovery Park Boulevard and the waste water reclamation plant.

 

  1. Study feasibility of establishing regular transit service linking downtown Safford, Eastern   

      Arizona College, Mt. Graham Community Hospital and Mountain View Terrace.

Thatcher Circulation/ Transportation Issues and Goals:

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Existing Thatcher Public Services and Facilities Goals

The Town’s Plan includes four (4) goals for Public Services and Facilities:

 

  1. A functional, efficient and cost-effective system of community facilities and human services.

 

  1. A high quality public educational system and facilities.

 

  1. A parks and recreation system that meets the current and future needs of the residents of Thatcher.

 

  1. A high level of public safety services and facilities in the Town.

 

 

Public Services and Facilities Issues or Goals:

Public services and facilities can be addressed in general plans for police, fire, emergency services, sewage, refuse disposal, drainage, local utilities, rights-of-way, easements and facilities for them.  Understanding that municipalities in Arizona are not responsible for public school planning, the impact on public schools by new development and related municipal policy can be addressed in the Town’s General Plan.

 

 

Potential Issues:

§                     Adequate facilities to meet growth demands

§                     Existing and desired levels of service

§                     Paying for infrastructure: Who and How, Fair Shares

 

 

Thatcher Public Services and Facilities Issues or Goals:

 

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Other Comments or Input:

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