Payson Planning and Zoning Commission Special Meeting: General Plan Adoption Hearing

The Payson Planning and Zoning Commission held a special meeting on June 10, 2024, to consider the adoption of the Town of Payson General Plan Update for 2024–2034. The meeting included a presentation by staff and consultants from Olsson Studio, a public hearing for community input, and a successful motion to adopt the plan by a 4–0 vote, recommending it to the Town Council for ratification.

Public Hearing – Adoption of the General Plan

• Presentation: Doni Wilbanks (Community Development Director), Taylor Plummer and Adam Rankin (Olsson Studio) presented the General Plan update. They highlighted the extensive public engagement process, including surveys, stakeholder meetings, visioning workshops, a charrette, open houses, and technical committee sessions. The plan includes eight elements (one new community design element), a vision statement, goals, strategies, frameworks (future land use, growth areas, circulation, open space/recreation, community design) and an implementation matrix.
• Correction: Ms. Wilbanks noted an error on the future land use framework map and the growth areas framework map, stating they should match. Specifically, the large orange square in the southwest corner should be designated as U.S. Forest Service to align with the growth areas framework.
• Process: The plan will go to the Town Council for a public hearing on June 26, 2024, and if ratified by Council, will appear on the November 5, 2024, ballot for voter approval. If the new plan is not adopted, the existing 2014–2024 General Plan will remain in effect.

Public Comments

• Donna Emmit – Asked for clarification on which side of Green Valley Parkway the growth area is located; Ms. Wilbanks confirmed it is to the east.
• Jim Ferris – Expressed concern about the circulation framework’s multimodal designation (cars, bicycles, pedestrians) on Mud Springs Road, noting that extending it eastward would likely face significant resistance from residents. He urged the commission to reconsider that designation.
• Laura Malone – Encouraged the Town to identify flatter, less costly areas for future affordable housing development, noting that police officers and school teachers cannot find affordable housing in Payson.
• Jon Epperly – Questioned whether any private entities are currently pursuing development of the USFS land in the south; Vice Chair Foil explained that such development would involve a land exchange, none currently pending.
• Trish Wadeski – Asked why a portion of her parcel in the Older growth area framework was split between green (growth area) and tan (other designation); Ms. Wilbanks offered to discuss the map further after the meeting.
• Isaac Blake – Noted that the MHA Foundation property was not clearly defined in the growth area framework and questioned whether the Town can control development on that separate legal entity’s land. Town Attorney Gill Paladini explained that the Town retains zoning authority over MHA land because it is not used for a governmental (proprietary) purpose, and the property remains designated as mix use.
• Jeff Masterson – Asked about the ratification vote: he clarified that the Town Council needs a 2/3 vote to ratify, while the public only needs a simple majority. If the General Plan is not adopted, the current plan stays in place.
• Megan Sawyer – Asked about the difference between residential and rural residential and expressed concern that properties currently designated as horse properties could yet lose that status if the plan designates them as residential. Ms. Wilbanks and Vice Chair Foil explained that the plan defines future land use, not zoning; horses are determined by zoning and CC&Rs, not by the General Plan, and there is no specific “horse property” designation.

Commission Deliberation

• Commissioners expressed general support for the updated vision statement and the well-planned growth and infrastructure direction. They noted the plan originated from extensive public and stakeholder input.
• Motion: To adopt the draft of the Town of Payson 2024-2034 General Plan update and recommend it to the Town Council.
  • Motion by Dallin Haws, seconded by Douglas Martin.
  • Vote: 4 in favor (Schaier, Haws, Martin, Foil). 0 against. Commissioners Clark and Meyer were absent.

Key Outcomes

• The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the motion 4–0 to adopt the new General Plan and forward a recommendation to the Town Council.
• The Town Council will hold a public hearing on June 26, 2024, followed by a potential ratification vote (2/3 required) to place the plan on the November 6, 2024, ballot for voter approval.
• An error on the future land use framework map was identified—the southwest corner should be categorized as US Forest Service to match the growth areas framework—and will be corrected.
• Staff will follow up with individual public questions regarding parcel boundaries and definitions of residential vs. rural residential.