Remember when city staff and councilmembers asked for public input earlier this year as Maricopa began updating its general plan?

That process has reached its next step.

A draft of the updated general plan is now online, and residents have until the end of the day Feb. 6 to review the document and submit comments, according to a press release issued yesterday.

The draft is a 217-page PDF that outlines the city’s long-range vision for growth, land use and development. State law requires cities to update their general plans every decade. Maricopa’s current plan was last updated in 2016.

Earlier this year, the city held a series of community workshops to gather feedback on priorities for the update. Staff asked residents to revisit the city’s vision statement and identify preferred growth areas.

Participants highlighted several key issues, including managing growth, expanding housing options, improving transportation infrastructure, attracting business development, increasing healthcare access and expanding retail and restaurant offerings.

Some residents called for a stronger focus on small businesses.

In June, Senita resident and small business owner Christian Glover said he wanted to see more space and opportunity for local entrepreneurs.

“We keep getting bigger and more big box stores, but it seems like there’s not enough commercial space for small businesses,” Glover told InMaricopa at the time. “As a small business owner, you want to have the ability to stay local and shop local.”

Residents can review the draft general plan and submit comments through the city’s online portal at this link.