The Litchfield Park General Plan is a guiding document that identifies community goals and designates the proposed distribution, location and extent of land uses within the City’s planning area. The goals of the General Plan are to maintain, improve and protect the highly desirable physical and social living environment of Litchfield Park.

Proposals for development that require a rezoning are guided by the General Plan land use designation for the property under consideration. Amendments to the General Plan are possible through an application and are generally driven by a property owner or developer's desire to change the land use designation of their property. The Arizona State Statute defines a Major General Plan Amendment as a proposal which results in a substantial alteration of the municipality’s land use mixture or balance, as established in the municipality’s General Plan land use element.

Until now, there has never been a filing of a Major General Plan Amendment in Litchfield Park. However, on February 28, 2014, six (6) Major General Plan Amendment applications were submitted to the City of Litchfield Park by the respective property owners. Copies of each application, along with a general summary, were posted on the City’s web site to provide a reference tool to better understand the submittals.

The applicants each held Citizen Review meetings to receive public comments, and the City held Staff-hosted meetings on April 28, 29, and 30, to provide information on the applications and receive comments. In addition, the Planning and Zoning Commission held Study Sessions on May 6, 13, and 20, to discuss the applications and receive comments.

Subsequently, the applicants have submitted amendments to their General Plan Amendment applications. GPA 14-04, which was a request to change the land use designation on the Wigwam Patriot (Blue) Golf Course from Open Space to a Medium Density Residential, has been withdrawn. Also, a rezoning application was received for GPA 14-06. The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the amended application for GPA 14-06 and its concurrent rezoning request at their July 8, 2014 meeting. A summary of the amendments, along with copies of each amended application, has been posted on the web site.

On July 18, 2014, notices were submitted to local agencies announcing the commencement of the formal 60-day review period, which is from July 21 to September 21, 2014. The purpose of this review period is to allow agencies, which may be impacted by the proposed amendments, to file written comments on any or all of the proposed amendments.

The City’s Review Process is a lengthy one and provides numerous opportunities for the public to comment. In addition to the previously mentioned meetings, the Planning and Zoning Commission will be holding additional study sessions that will provide an opportunity to comment. The next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is scheduled to be held August 8, 2014, at the Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Old Litchfield Road. The GPA review process includes a formal public hearing held by the Planning and Zoning Commission and a recommendation to City Council in October. City Council may act on the applications at its November or December Council meeting. A revised processing schedule, noting tentative meeting dates is available and has been posted on the City’s web site.

Along with the opportunity to comment through public meetings and the City’s web page, the City also provides an electronic comment option to its residents through the City’s web site. All comment submittals must include the name, address and email address of the writer; with the option to provide phone contact information for further communication. Incomplete comment submittals will be disregarded.

The proposed amendments to the Litchfield Park General Plan may have significant impacts to the community; perhaps positive or negative. The GPA review process, although somewhat complicated, is designed to involve the residents and agencies which may be impacted by the proposed changes. It is an open and transparent process, which is well defined by State law, as well as the City’s General Plan, Codes and procedures. Please be assured that each voice will be heard and that the process will include a full and complete review of each application; including its impacts upon the community.

Thank you for your interest in the City of Litchfield Park and thank you in advance for your interest and participation in the Major General Plan Amendment process.

Press Release - March 7, 2014
GPA Applications Processing Schedule
2014 Major General Plan Amendment Applications Overview
2014 Major General Plan Amendment Applications Overview - Amended July, 2014
2014 Major General Plan Amendment Applications Overview - Amended October, 2014


The following is the Base Retail Market Research Study prepared by Rick Hill for the City. A copy is also available for viewing at the F.B. Litchfield Memorial Library front desk and at Litchfield Park City Hall.
Retail Market Research Study

2014 Major General Plan Amendment Applications:
GPA 14-01
GPA 14-02
GPA 14-03
GPA 14-04
GPA 14-05
GPA 14-06