Early results from Sahuarita had voters backing an amendment to the town’s long-range planning documents.
Initial results, which included some votes cast Tuesday and some early ballots, had 57 percent of local residents supporting the general plan amendment.
Listed as Proposition 438 on the ballot, the plan amendment is called Aspire 2035 by town leaders.
Sahuarita Town Manager Kelly Udall was cautiously optimistic as results started to come in.
“Ratification of the general plan is important to the future of Sahuarita. The long-range plan will guide growth and development and set policy to address such things as land use, public facilities, services, resource management and conservation,” he said.
“Adoption of the plan signifies our citizens’ support to help the community grow and prosper.”
Sahuarita’s general plan was last ratified 12 years ago and is considered by town officials to be outdated and not reflective of current conditions.
Town officials cite the Great Recession as one of the reasons the current document is outdated, failing to meet projected growth patterns.
Part of the plan identifies growth areas suitable for development within the next 20 years, including what portions of the town could accommodate high-density housing, commercial uses and industrial centers.
For example, the Sahuarita East Conceptual Area Plan outlines possible land uses for 30,190 acres east of the town’s current boundaries, including a section of state trust land.
The mixed-use area calls for more than 21,000 acres for new housing, 5,000 acres for businesses that could be part of a high-tech corridor, another 1,200 acres for commercial business and 1,100 acres for open space and parks.
Town officials note the plan is not set in stone if it passes. Property owners go through the development process for their specific proposals and can ask for an amendment to the plan for their property if it doesn’t conform to the adopted plan.
