A.R.S. Section 9461.06 C - Public
Participation
The governing body
shall:
1. Adopt written
procedures to provide
effective, early and
continuous public
participation in the
development and
major amendment of
general plans from all
geographic, ethnic and
economic areas of the
municipality. The
procedures shall
provide for:
(a) The broad
dissemination of
proposals and
alternatives.
(b) The opportunity for
written comments.
(c) Public hearings
after effective notice.
(d) Open discussions,
communications
programs and
information services.
(e) Consideration of
public comments.
2. Consult with, advise
and provide an
opportunity for official
comment by public
officials and agencies,
the county, school
districts, associations
of governments, public
land management
agencies, the military
airport if the
municipality has
territory in the vicinity
of a military airport or
ancillary military
facility as defined in
section 28-8461, other
appropriate
government
jurisdictions, public
utility companies,
civic, educational,
professional and other
organizations,
property owners and
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12 – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The purpose of public participation efforts is to ensure that the community
is informed of and involved in any additions or modifications to the City of
Yuma General Plan. The goal is to educate the public on the City’s
General Plan and generate increased public involvement in the
preparation and adoption of the various elements. The public
participation plan identifies the process and public notification efforts the
City of Yuma will undertake in the review of any amendment of the
General Plan.
Public Participation has the ability to encourage community and
stakeholder collaboration through development decisions by promoting
neighborhood meetings, public notifications and public hearings which
attracts public opinion and action in development decisions within the City
and meets the Smart Growth Principal to encourage community and
stakeholder collaboration in development decisions.
Amendments to the General Plan include the following:
• The incorporation of new elements as required by State Statute
• The re-adoption of the entire General Plan every ten years
• Revisions or updates to the text and/or map of an existing
element. The Land Use Element is further categorized into two
types of amendments:
o Major Land Use Plan amendments
o Minor Land Use Plan amendments
A Major Amendment to the Land Use Element is defined as a substantial
alteration of the land use mixture and balance established in the Land
Use Map. The City of Yuma Major Amendment definition is discussed in
more detail in the Implementation and Administration section – Chapter
13 of the General Plan.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
In accordance with State Statutes, the City must adopt written procedures
to provide effective, early and continuous public participation in the
development and major amendment of general plans from all geographic,
ethnic and economic areas of the community.
The Public Participation Plan is designed to exceed these requirements
and identify other techniques to actively involve the citizens in the
preparation and review of the General Plan. This document establishes
the basic techniques for disseminating the information to the public and
engaging the citizens in interactive discussions about the general plan
and its elements. The City will continue to identify and pursue other ways
to increase public knowledge and participation. This may include meeting

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with the various Boards & Commission, Neighborhood Leadership
Groups, and other organizations throughout the year to determine other
appropriate information sources or preferred methods.
APPLICATION
An amendment to the General Plan may be initiated by: the City Council,
the Planning & Zoning Commission, or a private property owner. An
application, narrative statement of the proposal, and a non-returnable
filing fee are required for any proposed amendment.

citizens generally to
secure maximum
coordination of plans
and to indicate
properly located sites
for all public purposes
on the general plan.

PUBLIC HEARINGS
For all amendments to the General Plan, two public hearings will be held
by the Planning & Zoning Commission. These public hearings will be
held at separate locations in order to solicit broad public comments.
Additionally, a third public hearing will be held by City Council prior to
action being taken on the proposed amendment.
NOTIFICATION
For all General Plan Amendments, the notification of the public hearings
will be provided in accordance with State Law in the following manner:
At least fifteen (15) days prior to the first public hearing, a general
explanation of the proposal, along with the date, time and the place of
said hearing will be published at least once in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of Yuma. The display advertisement will be a
minimum size of one-eighth of a full page.
In addition to the above state notification requirement, the City and/or the
applicant will utilize the following techniques to disseminate the
information to a larger audience: As these are not State requirements, the
failure of the City or the applicant to perform any of the following actions
or failure of the property owner to receive said notice will not invalidate
the proceedings but may cause a delay in the scheduling of the public
hearings.
¾ For land use plan amendments, the applicant will notify in writing
all property owners within a radius of six hundred sixty feet (660’)
of the exterior boundaries of the subject property. The applicant
will submit a copy of the letter provided to the public along with a
certified mailing list from the County of Yuma, and a certificate of
mailing from the post office to the project planner at least twenty–
five (25) days prior to the first public hearing.
¾ For land use plan amendments, the applicant will post onsite a
temporary 2’x3’ sign that indicates the proposed change along
with the date, time and place of the two public hearings by the
Planning & Zoning Commission and the City Council public
hearing. In the event that the anticipated schedule is not followed,
the applicant will be responsible for revising the sign accordingly.
The sign will be located in such a manner as to be visible from
adjacent rights-of-way and will be installed at least twenty-five (25)
days prior to the initial public hearing by the Planning & Zoning

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Commission. A photograph of the sign and any subsequent
revisions will be provided to the Department of Community
Development as proof that this requirement has been satisfied.
In addition, the following additional techniques are encouraged during the
processing of a General Plan amendment wherever possible. These may
be implemented, either individually or cumulatively, based on the type
and significance of the proposed amendment.
¾ Public Service Announcements on the radio and television to
explain the proposal and promote public involvement. For private
property owner initiated land use amendments, the applicant will
be responsible for presenting the information as requested.
¾ Articles and Press Releases for the newspaper or other widely
circulated publications.
¾ Mass mailings through utility bills or other documents that are
periodically issued to the community at large.
¾ The establishment of workgroups to ensure that the community is
actively involved in the preparation of the general plan elements
and that all interest groups are included in the dialogue.
¾ The information regarding the amendment and scheduled public
hearing will be posted on the City’s Internet web-site and the
Government Access Channel (YCTV) at least seven (7) days prior
to the meeting date.
¾ Informal presentation of the proposed amendment during open
houses, neighborhood round tables, or other community forums.
For private property owner initiated land use amendments, the
applicant will be responsible for presenting information as
requested.
¾ Formal presentation of the proposed amendment to various
service clubs, homeowner’s associations, and other civic and
professional groups. For private property owner initiated land use
amendments, the applicant will be responsible for presenting
information as requested.
¾ Utilization of electronic means of communication to the extent
practical.
DISTRIBUTION
The proposed amendment will be distributed to a variety of stakeholders
for initial review and comment prior to the first public hearing by the
Planning & Zoning Commission. The list of individuals to be contacted
includes, but is not limited to, the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

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Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Department of Agriculture
United States Border Patrol
Marine Corps Air Station - Yuma
Yuma County Airport Authority
Arizona Department of Transportation
Arizona Fish & Game Department
Arizona Department of Commerce

City of Yuma 2012 General Plan

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

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•
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The County of Yuma: Planning, Engineering, and Public Works
Utility Companies: APS, Southwest Gas, TimeWarner, Qwest
School Districts: Yuma Union High, Yuma Elementary, Crane
Irrigation Districts: YCWUA, YMIDD, YID, Unit B Irrigation District
City Departments: Attorney, Finance, Police, Fire, Public Works,
Community Development
Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization
Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation
Yuma County Chamber of Commerce
Yuma County Realtor’s Association
Yuma County Contractor’s Association
American Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of
Civil Engineers, Society of Military Engineers

As appropriate, additional public outreach to other civic, education, and
professional organizations not identified on the above list will be
conducted.
Amendments pertaining to any of the required elements or the readoption of the General Plan will also be placed on display at the
following locations prior to adoption:
•
•
•
•

The City Clerks Office of the City of Yuma
The Mayor’s Office
The City/County Library
The Department of Community Development

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ACTION
Following the two public hearings, the Planning & Zoning Commission will
file a report of its findings and recommendations with respect to the
proposed amendment with the City Council within thirty (30) days of the
second public hearing. The report will be in writing and will include the
recommendations for approval, conditional approval or disapproval and
will contain a brief summary of the reasons for said recommendations.
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Upon receipt of the Commission’s recommendation, the City Council will
hold a third public hearing. Notice of the time and place of the hearing
will be provided in accordance with State Law. Following the public
hearing, the adoption or readoption of the General Plan or any
amendment to such plan will be by resolution of the City Council. The
adoption, readoption, or approval of a major amendment will require an
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members of City Council.
At least sixty (60) days before the public notice of the 1st public hearing on
the adoption of the General Plan or a portion, element or major
amendment of the land use plan, the Department of Community
Development will transmit the proposal to the City Council and submit a
copy for review and further comment to:
• The County of Yuma.

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•
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The Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization and other regional
planning agencies that may be appropriate.
The Marine Corps Air Station – Yuma.
The City of San Luis.
The City of Somerton.
The State of Arizona Department of Commerce.
The State of Arizona Office of the Attorney General.
The Arizona State Land Department.
Imperial County.
Arizona Department of Water Resources.
Yuma County School Superintendent.
Cocopah Indian Tribe.
Quechan Indian Tribe.
Any person or entity that requests in writing to receive a copy of
the proposal.

READOPTION AND RATIFICATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN
The general plan, with any amendments, is effective for up to ten years
from the date the plan is readopted by the City Council and ratified by the
voters during a general election. On or before the tenth anniversary of
the plan’s most recent adoption, the City Council will either readopt the
existing plan for an additional ten years or adopt a new general plan in
accordance with State Statutes.
If the General Plan is approved by a majority vote of the qualified
electors, the Plan becomes effective as provided by law. If the General
Plan fails to receive a majority vote then the current General Plan remains
in effect until the voters approve a new plan. The City Council may
resubmit the proposed new plan or revise the new plan for subsequent
submission to the voters.

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Re-Adoption
of General
Plan

Minor
General Plan
Amendment

Major
General Plan
Amendment

NOTIFICATION AND PARTICIPATION TECHNIQUES

New/Revised
General Plan
Element

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION METHODS

PRINTED NOTIFICATION
X The Sun – Display Ad

3

3

3

3

X Distribute for Case Comments

3

3

3

3

Y 660 Foot Radius Notification (by applicant)

3

3

Y Posting of Site (by applicant)

3

3
3

Z City Web Page Notice

3

3

3

Y Post Flyers

3

3

3

Z Press Release

3

3

3

Z Articles

3

3

3

Z Mass Mailing

3

3

TV/RADIO ADVERTISEMENTS
Z YCTV Notice

3

3

3

3

Z Public Service Announcement

3

Z Interviews

3

3

X Public Hearings

3

3

Z Workgroup

3

3

Z Open House

3

3

Z Neighborhood Round Tables

3

3

3

3

Z Service Club Presentations

3

3

3

3

3
3

COMMUNITY FORUMS
3

3

X State Requirements: These items are mandatory requirements
that must be fulfilled in order for any action to be taken by the PZ
Commission or City Council.
Y City Requirements: These items are additional requirements
imposed by the City and failure to satisfy does not invalidate the
authority of the PZ Commission or City Council to hear an
application. However, the discretion as to whether the case will
be presented to the Commission or Council if one of the items is
not fulfilled will rest with the Assistant Director/Community
Planning.
Z Encouraged Alternatives: These techniques are encouraged
based on the type and significance of the proposed amendment.

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