Part II - Policy Statements and Implementation Strategies

Chapter Five - The Comprehensive Plan in the Life of this Community

A. Policy 19. Public Education Policy

Adoption of this Comprehensive Plan is only the beginning of its influence in the Sonoita Crossroads area. Educating ourselves and newcomers in the Plan's usefulness must be an ongoing charge to the SCCF.

Our Community's Goal

The SCCF, together with other local organizations and county offices, should make this Comprehensive Plan for NE Santa Cruz County readily available to all the citizens of the area to help them learn about the Plan in general and about details of its parts. The people of Sonoita and Elgin should learn to appreciate how the Plan affects our daily lives, our occupational and recreational activities, and our property values.

Implementation Strategies

1. The Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum (SCCF) will work with Santa Cruz County and other local organizations to prepare and distribute educational materials explaining the plan, including materials covering specific topics like outdoor illumination (see Policy 4) and native landscaping (see Policies 5 and 7). Educational materials should also cover voluntary actions that promote local quality of life, possibly including subscribing to the Sonoita-Elgin Emergency Services, maintaining a wildfire-defensible space around homes, and effective range management on small parcels.
2. SCCF will seek funding for a video production that helps introduce newcomers, and remind old-timers, of the values of living in our area, and how this plan protects those values.

Policy 20. Plan Review and Update

No plan is ever complete or final. Experiences of implementing this Comprehensive Plan will certainly uncover ambiguities, incompletions, and the need for clarifying interpretations. As the SCCF continues to act as a genuine forum for the exchange of ideas, maintenance of the Plan will require continuous review and modernization.

Our Community's Goal

The Comprehensive Plan for Northeastern Santa Cruz County should be reviewed on a regular basis and amended to reflect new information, changing conditions, and experience gained while administering the Plan and its accompanying development regulations. All residents of NE Santa Cruz County will be eligible to review the plan and participate in making revisions and amendments.

Implementation Strategies

1. The Santa Cruz County Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a review of this plan at least every other year, meeting in Sonoita or Elgin to do so. The agenda of this meeting will include a review of development activity in the planning area and discussion of any amendments that may be needed to keep the plan and code current, and as effective in possible in fulfilling community goals.
2. SCCF will work with the County to publicize plan review meetings and promote active participation in the review and maintenance of this plan.
3. SCCF will continue to hold at least annual meetings of the public and its Board will meet regularly to evaluate the influence and efficacy of the Plan.

Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum
P.O. Box 1274
Sonoita, AZ 85637

© 2002 Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum