The primary purpose of the Planning & Zoning Department is to administer and enforce the Town of Snowflake Zoning Regulations and long-range planning. The Department guides public and private development through comprehensive planning, development policies and review standards in order to create and maintain a balanced community.
The Planning & Zoning Department, also known as P&Z, is responsible for the implementation of the Snowflake General Plan and processing amendments to the document. The General Plan describes how Snowflake desires to direct and manage issues in areas such as Land Use, Circulation (Traffic), Open Space, Economic Development, Housing, Water Resources, Environmental Planning, Costs of Development and Known Growth Areas. The Mayor and City Council adopt the Town’s General Development Plan and any subsequent amendments to it. Zoning Ordinances provide more detailed procedures and regulations which support the greater goals of the plan. As with the General Plan, Zoning Ordinances must be reviewed by the Zoning Commission and approved by the Town Council.
The P&Z department is responsible for reviewing individual subdivision plats, commercial and residential site plans, rezoning applications and use permits. Planners approve proposals which meet the criteria as described in the General Plan and the Zoning Regulations. Planners review items such as fencing, grading and drainage, flood plain, building setbacks, available parking, signage and street lighting. The Planning Director may approve some residential plans and smaller development projects as defined in the Town Code but, other development projects are sent to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their recommendations. If the Commission approves the development, plat, plan or application, it is sent to Mayor and Council for adoption. Only after adoption by Mayor and Council, can groundbreaking occur.
Planning and Zoning works closely with the Town Engineer and the Building Department as well as other city agencies such as Public Works and the Fire Department. This interaction ensures that any approvals given by the Planning Department do not conflict with the operational duties of other Town departments. Interdepartmental communication also ensures that building, fire and other life safety codes are followed and that decisions made reflect the wishes of the Town of Snowflake’s residents, providing them with a community in which they want to live, work and play.
Town of Snowflake
Planning and Zoning Department
81 West 1st Street South
Snowflake, Arizona 85937
Office: (928) 536-7103, ext. 200
Fax: (928) 457-0645
Contact Us: jjarvis@snowflakeaz.gov
