General Plan Amendment

At a Glance

• A General Plan Amendment updates the City’s long-range land use policy map or related goals and policies.
• Amendments are classified as Major or Minor based on scope and impact.
• Major amendments are processed in City-defined review cycles (typically two per year).
• Minor amendments may be processed year-round, often in conjunction with zoning or PAD requests.

What Is a General Plan Amendment?

The General Plan is the City’s long-range policy document guiding growth and development. A General Plan Amendment modifies land use designations or related policies for a specific property or area.

Major vs. Minor General Plan Amendments

State law defines a Major General Plan Amendment as a substantial change to the community’s land use mixture or balance. The City of Casa Grande processes Major amendments during two designated review cycles each year. Minor amendments do not substantially alter the Plan and may be processed throughout the year.

Who May Initiate a General Plan Amendment?

• City Council or Planning & Zoning Commission
• Property owner within the City or its Planning Area
• City staff, when a proposed rezoning is not consistent with the General Plan

Step-by-Step 

1. General Plan Amendment Process
2. Schedule a required pre-application meeting with Planning staff to review requirements, classification (Major or Minor), and timelines. The proposal may be reviewed at a Development Team Meeting during pre-application.
3. Complete any required public pre-notification, such as pre-scoping letters or a neighborhood meeting, prior to submitting the CUP application. More information about the Citizen Review Process.
4. Prepare the application package using the City’s checklist, including a narrative, determination criteria responses, land use exhibit, and legal description.
5. Submit a complete application and pay applicable fees.
6. Completeness review: City staff determines whether the application is administratively complete.
7. Substantive review: City staff conducts review and issues comments. Major amendments may require a longer review period.
8. Public hearing(s): The Planning & Zoning Commission conducts public hearing(s) and forwards a recommendation.
9. City Council action: City Council holds a public hearing and approves or denies the amendment by resolution.

General Plan Amendment Application Submittal Checklist

• Completed General Plan Amendment application form (owner authorization required if filed by an agent).
• Narrative explaining the reason for the amendment.
• Response to the City’s determination criteria, including discussion of guiding principles and impacts to land use categories.
• Land Use Exhibit showing existing and proposed land use designations for the subject property and surrounding area.
• Legal description of the amendment boundary.

Public Notice Requirements (Summary) Chapter 17.66

• Pre-scoping letter: Applicant sends notification letters to property owners within at least 300 feet of the site prior to submittal. A neighborhood meeting may be required depending on the proposal.
• Newspaper notice: Prepared by City staff.
• On-site sign posting: Applicant posts a public hearing sign at least 15 calendar days prior to the hearing and removes the sign no later than 10 days after the final hearing. (Optional sign removal service is available for a fee)
• Mailing to surrounding property owners: Prepared and mailed by City staff.

Growth Area Change: Phase II to Phase I (If Applicable)

Requests to change a Growth Area designation from Phase II to Phase I must address additional City criteria, including water availability, wastewater service feasibility, ability to provide public services, and consistency with urban development patterns.

Typical Review Timeframes (Maximum Business Days)

• Completeness review (initial): 5 business days
• Initial substantive review: 30 business days (Major amendments may require additional time)
• Completeness review (resubmittal): 5 business days
• Resubmittal substantive review: 30 business days
• Overall review timeframe: 70 business days