Growing Smarter Oversight Council Seeks Input

The Arizona Growing Smarter Oversight Council, key state agency representatives & volunteers appointed by the Governor, have been given the responsibility of continuously assessing the successes & challenges of Arizona's planning & growth management legislation, the 1998 & 2000 Growing Smarter Acts. Just as the planning process is dynamic, so must the enabling legislation for planning & growth management provide the best direction & tool box to help communities & counties achieve the best results.

Gov. Napolitano requested the Growing Smarter Oversight Council utilize a grassroots process & develop a set of Guiding Principles to ensure that Arizona's growth maintains & enhances our quality of life.

Over 1,300 people from around the state participated in 18 Listening Sessions & a statewide telephone poll during the summer & fall of 2005 & provided the Council thousands of valuable ideas.

After much deliberation, the Council has developed a set of proposed Growing Smarter Guiding Principles to help manage Arizona's rapid growth & long term planning for the next 100 years.

Members of the public are encouraged to review the proposed Guiding Principles & participate in a survey to provide the Growing Smarter Oversight Council with further comments & ideas. Visit the Az. Dept. of Commerce website at www.azcommerce.com under Growing Smarter for access to the full report & to take part in the survey. The public review period will extend through August 4th, 2006.