Council considers regional planning, left-hand turns

The Maricopa City Council is scheduled to decide on whether to become a member of one of two metropolitan planning organizations – the Maricopa Association of Governments or the Sun Corridor group – during its regular meeting tonight.

The council had a lengthy discussion at its last meeting about the resources offered by MAG, a large, long-established organization that tackles regional planning and transportation issues versus its regional kinship with the Sun Corridor group, which was started by Casa Grande and would focus only on transportation.

The council also may approve changing the facility use guidelines for the Copa Center to allow reoccurring weekend rentals.

The Chief Donald N. Pearce Fire Station could move one step closer to completion if the council approves an agreement with Electrical District No. 3 to install the utilities for $51,734.07.

Another utilities agreement up for approval by the council is an intergovernmental agreement between the city and the Seven Ranches Domestic Water Improvement District to construct domestic water infrastructure.

The infrastructure improvement may be the first step in the Seven Ranches area developing. 

Other city business includes the approval of a resident to fill a vacancy on the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Advisory Committee.

Several informational presentations will be given during the meeting.

Michael Dyett of Dyett and Bhatia Urban & Regional Planners, the company hired by the city to update the zoning code, will give a presentation about the process.

Another presentation will inform residents about the future prohibition of making a left turn from westbound Honeycutt Road. 

Special event permits and liquor license requests for two of the year’s hallmark events also are up for council approval.

The first is the eighth annual Seeds of Change Gala on Feb. 23 at 20942 N. Province Parkway.

The gala is a fundraiser for Against Abuse, Inc., a local nonprofit that works to increase awareness of domestic violence and assists victims.