By Dianna M. Náñez
The Republic
Most Tempe City Council members are mum on whether they will postpone Thursday night’s vote on the proposed General Plan 2040 to allow more public input on recent changes.
The changes include lowering the allowable density for development along a strip of Apache Boulevard, which has seen a slew of apartments after the light-rail line opened.
Tempe officials have been updating the city’s General Plan, a road map for future development that must go before voters, for about a year. The city held forums in August to gather feedback, sought online feedback in September and held two public hearings in November. A third public hearing is right ahead of the vote.
However, some residents were concerned that the council changed the plan after the first public hearing on Nov. 7. Some supported the changes, but others asked that the revised plan go back to a community meeting before the council approved it and placed it on the ballot.
The council delayed a scheduled vote Nov. 21 but appears slated to vote on it tonight despite not holding the additional community meeting some residents sought.
If the council approves the item, it is expected next month to set a special-election for May 20 for residents to vote on the General Plan.
