SURVEY SAYS
One of America's fastest growing cities is becoming unrecognizable to long-time residents. We take a look at how decisions are being made and why resident satisfaction is on the decline.
Survey says… Resident satisfaction is down when it comes to the look and design of a growing Goodyear.
How have all of these buildings gone up so quickly? How are these decisions made?
We’ve taken a couple of hot topics and compared hearings between the Planning and Zoning Commission and Goodyear City Council.
FAST FACTS AND STATS
On the next two graphics, the left side of each graphic shows statistics from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The right side of the graphic shows the same project proposal before the Goodyear City Council.
GOODYEAR CELEBRATION PLAZA REZONE
URBAN DISTRICT 10 REZONE
TAKEAWAYS FROM THESE TWO PROPOSALS
No one from the public spoke on either issue before either Planning and Zoning or City Council.
Two of the six Planning and Zoning commissioners asked questions or commented about the project presentations.
In the discussion regarding Urban District 10, Councilmember Gillis recognizes her constituents are opposed to more “warehouses”, a sentiment acknowledged by project applicant Shain Alleman.
During several Council meetings, we’ve now heard councilmembers urge the City’s PR folks to do a better job of “educating” the public about the different between warehouses, data centers, etc. In fact, the key word is now “employment centers.”
But residents aren’t buying it.
Goodyear’s Community Survey Results for 2023 show less than half of those surveyed are satisfied with “well-planned commercial growth.”
While a few of the aspects of community design experienced ratings decreases between 2021 and 2023 - including the overall appearance of the city (74% excellent or good), overall quality of new development (62%), and well-planned commercial growth (48%), among others – these ratings remained on par with the national averages.
- June 5, 2023 | Goodyear City Council Work Session
Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo says, “I think some of it, from an educational standpoint, is getting that information out there - what zoning is….“
PLANNING AND ZONING BY THE NUMBERS
Goodyear’s Planning and Zoning Commission has had an open seat since sometime around April. No votes have been cast from that seat in the last 3 meetings. The chair of the commission has not attended the last 2 meetings.
The number of absences, a vacant seat, and lack of debate on the commission are noteworthy.
To date, 147 votes have been possible on a variety of projects.
79% of those possible votes have been cast.
And of the votes cast, 95% have been favorable to proposed projects and rezoning.
USE PERMITS AND ACRES REZONED TO DATE
January - June 2023, Goodyear’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved more than 882 acres for rezoning, and has voted in favor of all 9 Use Permit applications.
The last Use Permit approved allows for a fast food business to incorporate a drive-through 150 feet behind a residential home.
Goodyear City Council, too, approved this Use Permit in a stunning 5-2 vote. You can see/hear debate and public input here… Start the video at 30 minutes in.
Neighbors and the homeowners do speak at this meeting, as well.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOVLED
Understandably, it’s very difficult for many people to get to Council meetings… especially now that Goodyear has moved up meeting times to 5pm.
But you can email. You can call. And most important, you can run for office.
Anyone interested in running for office in Goodyear should contact the City Clerk’s Office for an appointment to meet with the City Clerk and obtain a Candidate Handbook when available. -City of Goodyear
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE CANDIDATES
Sign nomination petitions for candidates you’d like to see on the ballot.