Planning and Zoning chair helping to shape Maricopa

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Mike Robertson was recently tapped to chair the Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission. As chairman, Robertson plays a key role in helping shape the economic future of Maricopa. How does he do it? What does he hope to accomplish? Check out this Q&A with the new chairman.

What qualifies you to be chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission?
Mike Robertson: Great question! I guess there are a couple of ways to answer this question. From an education and experience standpoint, I have a Masters in Business Administration with a focus on finance and urban land development. Additionally, I work as a consultant for a structural engineering firm. In this role I work closely with municipalities and private developers across North America, formulating parking and transportation plans, downtown master plans and recommending code revisions. From a technical standpoint this experience has been very helpful. However, I doubt I was elected to serve as chairman based on my educational and work credentials. I have been sitting on the commission for more than a year and a half, so I am familiar with the formalities and workings of the commission’s meetings. During this time, I believe I have shown myself to be an articulate, reasonable and, hopefully, intelligent member of the commission. The chair’s primary role is to maintain order during commission meetings and, to a lesser degree, represent the commission at community and city meetings. Based on this primary responsibility, each commissioner had to decide and vote on whom they believed would effectively manage the commission meetings. I would like to believe that I was elected to be chair because my fellow commissioners have faith in me to effectively manage the meetings and represent the commission. 

As chairman, what do you hope to accomplish under your leadership?
Robertson: As chairman one of my biggest goals is to increase the Planning and Zoning Commission’s profile within the community. The vast majority of Maricopa’s residents do not know the commission exists, much less what we do and why. If citizens do not understand what a commission or board does, how can they be fully involved in shaping our community? Planning and Zoning plays an important advisory role to city council. For this reason alone, citizens need to be aware of it and develop a better understanding of its role.

Can you give an overview of the Planning and Zoning Committee?
Robertson: Beside myself, there are six other commissioners. Courtny Tyler (Vice-Chair) currently serves along with commissioners Bruce Houghton, Dale Jones, Tom Bradbury, Henry Wade, and Matt Martinez. Due to their professionalism and honest desire to serve the community, it has been a great pleasure working with each of the commissioners. Currently, we each serve a three-year term, and any city council member, including the mayor, can nominate an individual for appointment to the commission. The nominee must be approved by a majority vote of the city council.

What is the relationship between the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Maricopa City Council?
Robertson: The commission acts in an advisory function to assist the city council in making decisions pertaining to amendments to the general plan and applications for development approval. Additionally, the commission can provide input and advice on plans for the development of any land outside the city’s planning area, which in the opinion of the commission, is substantially related to the planning of the city. The commission, along with the city’s planning staff, works diligently to resolve any issues regarding compliance with the city’s general plan and city codes prior to passing the project onto the city council. However, as the elected representatives, city council retains the final approval on all proposed developments.

What criteria do Planning and Zoning use to green light a project?
Robertson: The commission uses the city’s general plan and codes to evaluate a project. We all bring in our opinions and personal preferences, but they may be outweighed by the city’s established documents for development. The city has spent an enormous amount of time, energy, human resources and money to develop a general plan for the city. If the commission disagrees with a portion of the general plan or a specific code, we can discuss changes and work to implement the changes; however, for the current project before us we must rely on what is currently in place. By adhering to the general plan and current codes the commission can remove subjectivity and impose a sense of consistency that developers can rely on when preparing development documents for presentation to the commission and city council. It is unfair to penalize a developer or business that, in good faith, has spent time and money to develop plans based on the city’s current general plan or codes. 

What are some of the current projects you’re excited about?
Robertson: Like many residents, we are excited about the prospect for the city’s first hotel and the XP Media building on Hathaway Road across from the U.S. Post Office. Both of these projects will bring new development and jobs to Maricopa. The commission recently recommended approval of the XP Media building’s plans. At this point the hotel’s developers have not presented to the commission; however, we are looking forward to holding a public hearing, receiving citizen input and reviewing the plans.

What about the Planning and Zoning Commission would the public be surprised to know?
Robertson: I don’t think this is surprising, but it is worth noting. The commission is a volunteer position that requires a fairly significant time commitment both for meetings and meeting preparation. A few days prior to each meeting every commissioner receives a stack of documents that must be thoroughly reviewed. It has been my experience that each commissioner comes prepared and ready to ask insightful questions. I am extremely proud to serve with each of my fellow commissioners.

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