Cornville Community Association, Inc. 

November 12, 2020

Mayor Tim Elinski

City of Cottonwood

826 North Main Street

Cottonwood, AZ  86326

 Dear Mayor Elinski: 

 On behalf of the Cornville Community Association (CCA), I offer some questions and comments on the City of Cottonwood’s proposed annexation of the 280-acre Spring Creek Ranch, along with eleven square miles of Coconino National Forest between Cottonwood and the Ranch.  Our Planning and Zoning Committee has considered the proposal; and the following comments have been approved by the Board of Directors.  We come from the perspective of a neighboring community; and our comments are based on citizen input and existing planning documents.

Cottonwood prides itself on being an economic hub for the Verde Valley.  Everyone in the valley shops in and pays taxes to Cottonwood.  We are all stakeholders that care about the future of Cottonwood.  We urge you to go beyond the legal requirements of annexation law and do the right thing by listening to and working with surrounding communities

We would like to remind you that In 1998, several Verde Valley communities signed “A Resolution…Establishing Common Bonds and Principles for Regional Cooperation and Coordination in Land Use Planning and Development Decisions in the Verde Valley” (Yavapai County Resolution 1156, 11-16-98).  Diane Prescott, then President of the Cornville Community Association, signed the resolution on behalf of the Cornville community.  We are committed to the first principal, which states that “Verde Valley communities should not grow together, regardless of corporate boundaries…” (emphasis added)

The topography and the vacant lands that surround Cornville provide a natural buffer and protection from the lights and sounds of nearby municipalities. The importance of the area’s rural values cannot be overstated.  Big views, quiet atmosphere, clear air, and dark skies are the key attributes that attract people to Cornville and make it a pleasant place to live.  The Cornville Planning Area includes Spring Creek Ranch; and the inevitable impacts of annexation and development of the beautiful historic ranch are of major concern to neighbors and residents from throughout our community.  

The CCA Board of Directors and Planning & Zoning Committee are strongly opposed to the City of Cottonwood’s proposal to annex Spring Creek Ranch and intervening National Forest Lands.  The proposal is based on an ulterior motive to surround State Trust Lands by responding to a single developer far from the city.  The outcome of your deliberations is extremely important to Cornville residents; and we hope you will seriously consider our concerns:   

1.  Rationale, Size & Scope of Annexation:  “Don’t Leapfrog before its time.”  The Cottonwood General Plan indicates development should be concentrated on the west side of the State Trust Land parcel, nearest to Cottonwood.  So, why annex an isolated parcel far to the east?   Why not focus your annexation efforts where growth was envisioned in your own plan?  Growth of the City of Cottonwood needs to be incremental and gradual from the existing city outward to the northeast—not backward from a point several miles from the City.  It allows development to “leapfrog” outward before its time!   Low density residential areas should continue to characterize outlying private lands.  Horse pastures, hay fields, gardens, farmhouses and outbuildings are part of the local scene, too.  The rural nature of our area should not be compromised.

2.   Pattern of Growth:   “Stay below the ridge line.”Big public natural spaces are the Verde Valley’s most important assets.   The spaciousness is what brings people here.  The overwhelming scenic value of the area must be protected.  The City of Cottonwood has an opportunity to establish a precedent and protect the panoramic vistas of the Verde Valley.  Ideally, the high ridge line between Mileposts 359 and 360 would become a natural barrier between developed areas and the natural areas beyond.  Even if development goes beyond that ridge line, it should remain low on the hillsides to protect the views of the Verde Valley.  Planners and developers should work with the landscape and never be allowed to flatten hilltops or re-contour the land in radical ways.  Big Verde Valley views MUST be kept in mind.   An extremely important attribute of the Verde Valley is its dark sky; and rapid growth could make light pollution a critical issue.   Cornville residents will object strongly if light pollution results from Cottonwood annexation and growth. 

3.  City vs. County Jurisdiction: “Why take on more problems?”  Why will the City of Cottonwood be in a better position than Yavapai County to control future development?    What are the advantages  of city versus county planning and zoning?   How can the costs of services justify adding a single parcel far from the City?  What effect will City jurisdiction have on National Forest land?  Since the City prohibits the discharge of firearms, will hunting and shooting privileges be taken away?  Will the City clean up litter and get rid of illegal occupants?       

4.  Potential Commercialization of State Route 89A:  “Please, not another Prescott Valley.”  This annexation appears to be a stepping-stone toward future annexation of State Lands along the State Route 89A.   The highway corridor should remain as natural and scenic as possible.  Commercial development at the 89A & Bill Gray Road intersection is already predicted; and it should gradually expand outward from there.   We recommend extra-wide landscape buffers along Highway 89A and Cornville Road.  We don’t think the Verde Valley needs another sea of look-alike rooftops.

5.  Water Issues:  “Last but not least!”  Water issues always arouse public concerns; and we urge you to address the effects of the annexation.  Will there be an assessment of the impacts of the proposal on the underlying aquifer and downstream users?   Is it true that the City of Cottonwood only requires assurance of a 25-year water supply?  Why not 100 years, as required by ADWR?  Water use must be managed and limited so that users outside the City system that rely on the same stream and aquifer will be protected.

Again, we are strongly opposed to the proposed annexation of Spring Creek Ranch by the City of Cottonwood.  The issues are serious; the motives are questionable; and the time is not right!  

Sincerely,

Bev Jackson, President

Cornville Community Association

cc:  Supervisor Tom Thurman & Supervisor-Elect, Jim Gregory, Yavapai County, District 2

       Supervisor Randy Garrison & Supervisor-Elect Donna Michaels, Yavapai County, District 3

       Amy Tinderholt, District Ranger, Red Rock District, Coconino National Forest  

       Mike Mathews, Vice Mayor

       City Council Members Tosca Henry, Doug Hulse, Helaine Kurot, Jackie Naim, Debbie Wilden

       Ron Corbin, City Manager

       Scott Ellis, Community Development Director