Suburban Environmental Governance: Phoenix

18 June 2014

Principal Investigator: Prof. Julie Cidell (jcidell [at] illinois.edu)

Research Assistant: Michael Minn (minn2 [at] illinois)

Funded by the University of Illinois Campus Research Board, award RB14025

The following is an introductory report on suburban environmental governance for municipal jurisdictions in the Phoenix urban area. This report is intended to inform decisions on the goals and directions of this research project. This information was gleaned from county and city government websites and includes links to departmental organizational charts, general plans, explicit sustainability program websites, and personnel explicitly designated as leaders or contacts for sustainability programs.

This report includes some demographic statistics on these communities from the 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates via the Census Bureau's American FactFinder website. The report also includes some general keyword analysis statistics that hint at the relative importance and visibility of sustainability programs within the different communities.

All cities and towns are required by Arizona State law to have a General Plan to guide future land use and development in their community. These general plans are developed by planning departments and are commonly peppered with references to sustainability. The actual amount of investment made in associated programs, and the true environmental benefit of these programs is a highly contestable question that merits further research as this project continues. The reputation of municipal plans is that they are like political party platforms in primarily reflecting the aspirations of institutional activists rather than the attitudes of the community as a whole or the policy direction that municipal leaders will actually pursue. Nonetheless, these plans may be a useful source of material for comparative discourse analysis that can uncover meaningful semiotic patterns and relationships.

The prominence and ubiquity of these plans indicates that the appropriate targets of future interviews should probably include city planners, perhaps in addition or in preference to higher-level leaders whose primary focus may be public relations or political negotiation rather than policy formulation, implementation and evaluation.

This report attempts to draw a distinction between areas of traditional municipal environmental oversight, (like building code enforcement, transportation, waste management, and municipal water/sewage), and explicit environmental sustainability policies and programs (like green buildings bike paths, recycling, etc.) While a handful of municipalities do have specialized staff / committees and / or specific web pages devoted to sustainability, most simply overlay sustainability programs and discourses over conventional bureaucratic structures, notably public works, development and / or planning. Water policy is especially prominent, reflecting scarcity in a drylands area like Phoenix, and serving immediate practical reasons as much as questions of aspirational sustainability for the future.

A complication in making an environment/sustainability distinction is the common tripartite division of sustainability into economic sustainability, community sustainability, and environmental sustainability, echoing Campbell's (1996) planning triangle of economy, social justice, and environment. The associated rhetoric often includes contradictions like the concept of sustainable growth.

Accordingly, more-concrete ontological specification of the phenomena at the heart of this research project will be necessary before a more-detailed analysis can be undertaken. Given the multiplicity of environmental views likely present within the leadership and management of the different municipalities, consideration will also need to be given to how such contestations can be meaningfully analyzed and represented.

Keyword Analysis

As an effort to roughly measure the quantity of sustainability discourse being used by the communities in the Phoenix urban area, searches were done on the city/town websites and general plans for the keywords sustainability and environment.

Weak correlations between community demographics (median age, race, income, etc) and keyword frequency give no evidence that demographic characteristics influence the level of sustainability discourse used by community governments. However, these rough proxies do not offer definitive proof one way or the other, and further investigation would be necessary to make any broad generalizations about the presence or absence of a relationship between demographics and sustainability policy.

Consideration might also be given to a contextual analysis of keyword usage, considering the framing of references to and differential usage meanings of the terms green, sustainability, or environment as a way of understanding implicit institutional predilections toward meanings and policies.

Because general plan word count correlates mildly with total population (R² = 0.283) and larger cities have larger general plans, normalization of keyword counts by total word count is assumed to offer a fairer comparison between large and small communities:

Comparing the number of Google keyword search results on the city websites gives a somewhat different set of rankings:

Normalizing the search result counts by population offers a slightly different view that favors smaller communities:

Regional Governance and Coordination

Maricopa County

www.Maricopa.gov

Comprehensive Plan: 2020 Eye to the Future

Most of the Phoenix urban area as defined by the Census Bureau is located within Maricopa County, with some of the southeastern towns and CDPs located in Pinal County. Most of these cities are also located within the Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). A small northern portion of Peoria, AZ is located north of the Phoenix MSA in Yavapai County.

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 3,841,819
• Median Age: 34.6 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 83.4% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 29.6% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $54,385 (> $53,046 national)

The Environmental Services department is under the direction of John Kolman and is focused more specifically on conventional local environmental governance, with no obvious references to sustainability. Divisions include:

• Business Operations Division (permits, fees)
• Environmental Health Division (inspections, permits)
• Water and Waste Management Division (water, sewer, garbage)
• Vector Control Division (insects and rodents)
• Quality and Compliance Division

Sustainability appears to be coordinated by the Green Government Initiative, which was started in 2009 under the leadership of a Green Government Council and is comprised of departmental representatives meeting once a month. It is not clear how active that council still is.

The contact person given on the sustainability page is Amanda Nash (nasha001@mail.maricopa.gov), who handles Regional Government Relations and is, notably, in the Department of Government Relations. The website lists a position titled Sustainability Manager, although that position was vacant when the site was visited on 12 June 2014. The departmental organizational chart does not include an explicit sustainability department/person.

The GGI web page has a glossy, conceptual layout of a solar cell array and primarily contains links to sections of the Green Government Initiative report. As the name implies, the initiative seem largely focused on "greening" county operations rather than promoting broader community efforts or furthering regional cooperation. Listed 2012 accomplishments include:

• 2011 NACo Achievement Award for the Eco-Employee Program
• 2012 NACo Achievement Award for the Office Sustainability Empowerment Tool (OffSET)
• 2012 ASU Presidents Award for Sustainability
• Added covered bike racks at three new locations
• Hosted over 100K visitors to our Parks education/outdoor program annually
• Installed the largest PV solar array in downtown Phoenix
• Created a revenue generating internal recycling program
• Installed one of the largest solar thermal hot water systems in the US
• Added over 40 new miles of hiking, equestrian, and bike trails to our regional trail system
• Hosted over 100 people in our annual bike to work day
• Completed one of the largest utility grade energy audits in the state
• Amended the Zoning Ordinance to be more solar friendly

Regional Programs

There are a number of regional sustainability programs mentioned on various city / town websites. These primarily deal with water and usually exist for education / advocacy.

• STORM is a regional organization promoting storm water quality education within the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. STORM uses a multimedia approach targeting audiences through radio, television, special events, and providing permit information to the general public and the regulated community.
• The Water - Use It Wisely campaign was launched in 1999 to promote an ongoing water conservation ethic among Arizona's rapidly growing population. Member municipalities and organizations provide a financial contribution and have formed a regional partnership to unify their message, provide better buying power, and greater marketing possibilities for sponsorships.
• The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association is a non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors composed of mayors and council members representing its ten member cities and towns. For more than 45 years, AMWUA has worked to protect its members' ability to provide assured, safe and sustainable water supplies to their communities.
• Clean Air Make More is an educational outreach initiative created to inform Maricopa County residents about air pollution challenges in the county and provide them with the tools they need to take action. Created by the Maricopa County Air Quality Department and funded through fines collected from air quality violations, the primary focus of Clean Air Make More is to reduce the number of days this region exceeds the federal health standard for air pollution.
• Tap Into Quality is a joint project of a number of Salt River valley cities, Central Arizona Project (CAP) and Salt River Project (SRP) who have teamed with the AZ Water Association (formerly known as the Arizona Water & Pollution Control Association) to educate citizens about their tap water.
• Arizona Water Awareness is a statewide conservation program of the Arizona Department of Water Resources that seeks to disseminate "ideas, tips, resources and events about Arizona's most precious resource, water and its conservation."
• Valley Forward / Arizona Forward "is an advocate for a balance between economic development and environmental quality, and convenes business, community and civic leaders in thoughtful public dialogue on critical sustainability issues. The Association is a blend of members including large and small businesses, government jurisdictions, the education and non-profit communities, as well as others that share a goal of promoting cooperation to improve the environment and quality of life in our region."
• The Arizona State University Sustainable Cities Network is a vehicle for communities to share knowledge and coordinate efforts to understand and solve sustainability problems. It is designed to foster partnerships, identify best practices, provide training and information, and create a bridge between ASU's research and front-line challenges facing local communities.
• WaterSense is "a partnership program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes, and services." Although not a regional organization, a number of communities list this program on their website along with the regional organizations above.

Cities and Towns

Within the boundaries defined by the Census Bureau, the Phoenix Urban Area includes 22 incorporated cities / towns, ten of which have populations of 50,000 or higher. The urban area also includes ten Census Designated Places (CDP), which are usually unincorporated private developments, although three CDPs are communities in the Gila River Indian Community.

Arizona state law permits incorporation as a city or a town. Cities must have at least 3,000 residents and city governments are permitted a number of additional regulatory powers beyond what is allowed in a town charter, notably additional powers to control land use and utilities (Arizona Revised Statutes §9-276).

City of Phoenix

phoenix.gov

General Plan: Preserving Our Past, Choosing Our Future

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 1,462,368
• Median Age: 32.2 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 80.6% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 29.6% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $47,866 (< $53,046 national)

The separate environmental and sustainability web pages are maintained, although programs under a number of departments mention sustainability.

The Office of Environmental Programs is managed by Philip McNeely, who also appears as the only person in the city's sustainability report with an explicitly environmental job title. The organizational chart for the Office of Environmental Programs list ten additional coordinator and specialist positions under McNeely. The office is listed as coordinating and implementing the following programs:

• The Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program
• The Brownfields Land Recycling Program
• Multiple air quality programs
• Climate change mitigation programs, including advanced methane capture systems at city-owned landfills; biodiesel and ethanol alternative fuels (in city vehicles?); energy-efficient streetlights, traffic signals, water and wastewater upgrades; energy efficiency measures in more than 45 city buildings; and various city solar power projects.
• The Phoenix Environmental Quality Commission (EQC)
• Resources and general information about managing Bed Bugs infestation (?!)

The sustainability page uses a tripartite definition of sustainability (community, economy, environment). There does not appear to be an explicit sustainability department and programs mentioned within these spheres are administered by OEP and other departments:

• Air quality
• Climate Change
• Energy
• Land Use
• Transportation
• Waste
• Water

There does appear to be a position of Chief Sustainability Officer, although it was vacant and listed as open when the site was visited on 14 June 2014.

• Transformation of the failed Gordon Estates project into a green subdivision that meets or exceeds exceeds the National Green Building Gold Standard, Energy Star v3, EPA WaterSense and Indoor Air plus certifications.
• Activities of a Green Team, made up of representatives from 20 departments, that strives to "embed sustainability into city culture through community engagement, activities, programs, education and awareness."
• Thirteen PlanPHX community forums with residents.
• Opening of the PHX Sky Train connecting the main airport to the Metro Light Rail system.

City of Mesa

www.mesaaz.gov

General Plan: Mesa 2025, A Shared Vision

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 443,875
• Median Age: 35.3 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 85.6% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 25.9% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $49,233 (< $53,046 national)

The city has an department named Development and Sustainability, which is unusual in that it is included in their high-level city organization chart. The director is Christine Zielonka (christine.zielonka@mesaaz.gov). The programs listed under this department lean more toward the development part of the title:

• Planning
• Development Planning
• Construction Plan Review
• Construction Permits
• Construction Inspections
• Code Compliance
• Environmental and Sustainability

The environmental programs under the subheading Environmental and Sustainability are headed by deputy director Scott Bouchie (scott.bouchie@mesaaz.gov) and include:

• Air Quality
• Stormwater
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation
• Sustainability
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Water Efficiency and Conservation

Sustainability programs fall under the title Green Mesa and are largely devolved to individual responsibility, including:

• Green Buildings
• Water Conservation
• Grass-to-Xeriscape Rebate
• Historic Preservation
• Blue Barrel Recycling
• Green Waste Barrel
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Paint Reuse Program
• Composting
• Living Green workshop events
• Green Buildings

City of Chandler

www.chandleraz.gov

General Plan 2008: Build-Out and Beyond

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 237,456
• Median Age: 33.9 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 82.3% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 23.1% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $71,171 (> $53,046 national)

Although the city website includes a page with a list of Green Initiatives, those programs are under different departments and there does not appear to be a central department or central person in city government in charge of environmental or sustainability programs. A former position of Sustainability Manager was eliminated in 2009. Programs listed on the Green Initiatives page, along with their controlling departments include:

• Municipal Utilities Department: Dave Siegel (dave.siegel@chandleraz.gov). Includes functions that some other cities include in an explicit Environmental department.
  • Recycling
  • Water Conservation
  • Water Reclamation
  • Storm Water Management
• Transportation and Development: R.J. Zeder (TD.Director@chandleraz.gov). Includes their City Planning department
  • Green Building Program
  • Transportation Alternatives
• Community Services Department: Mark Eynatten (mark.eynatten@chandleraz.gov). The word green is treated literally rather than as a metaphor for sustainable.
  • Parks
  • Environmental Education Center

City of Glendale

www.glendaleaz.com

General Plan: Glendale 2025, The Next Step

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 229,331
• Median Age: 32.5 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 78.9% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 36.6% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $50,567 (< $53,046 national)

The city's Environmental Resources Department is headed by interim deputy director Doug Kupel (dkupel@glendaleaz.com). This department appears to be under Water Services and executive director Craig Johnson, although the department also handles air quality as well. The environmental programs within the department are managed by Megan Sheldon (msheldon@glendaleaz.com).

Sustainability programs included on the Green Glendale page are distributed across departments and include:

• Travel Green (bike programs, carpooling, transit)
• Water Conservation (Water Services)
• Recycling (Sanitation)
• Environmental Resources (see above)

City of Scottsdale

www.scottsdaleaz.gov

General Plan: SGP 2014, Your Plan, Your Future

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 219,867
• Median Age: 45.1 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 90.5% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 9.3% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $72,163 (> $53,046 national)

Scottsdale's traditional environmental services are handled by the departments of Public Works (solid waste), Water Resources, and Transportation.

Sustainability programs are handled by the Office of Environmental Initiatives within the Department of Planning and Development. This office exist to integrate "environmental initiatives to support a sustainable and balanced economy, environment, and community." The office is managed by Tim Conner (tconner@scottsdaleaz.gov). The initiatives fall into four categories:

• Water
  • Plumbing Rebates: Hot Water Recirculators,Toilets, Showerheads, and Free Aerators
  • Landscape Irrigation Controller Rebate
  • Residential Turf Removal Rebate
  • Commercial & Residential Common Areas Turf Removal Rebate
• Recycling
  • Refuse and Recycling
  • Electronics Recycling
  • Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
  • Home Composting
• Green Building
  • Green Building Program
  • Program Incentives
• Transportation
  • Bus Routes
  • Scottsdale Trolleys
  • Bikeways

Town of Gilbert

www.gilbertaz.gov

Gilbert General Plan (2012)

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 208,850
• Median Age: 32.2 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 86.5% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 14.7% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $80,121 (> $53,046 national)

Gilbert is the Phoenix urban area's largest jurisdiction organized as a town rather than as a city. Accordingly, the level of centralized attention to environmental matters appears to be more limited than comparable jurisdictions organized as cities (like Scottsdale). The town's organizational chart shows general departments (like Public Works and Parks) entirely under the control of a single town manager, with more-specialized advisory boards and commissions directly reporting to the Mayor and Town Council.

The town's poorly maintained environmental page is located under human resources and lists sustainability programs along with conventional municipal environmental services like water quality and mosquito control.

The Public Works Department section of the site goes into much deeper detail on a number of practical sustainability programs:

• Composting
• Recycling
• Water Conservation

One of the advisory boards reporting to the Mayor and Town Council is an Environmental and Energy Conservation Advisory Board tasked to, "Advise the Town Council on policy, programs and services to Advance environmental sustainability and place the Town of Gilbert at the forefront as it plans, manages and conserves resources." The vision is to, "Make Gilbert an environmentally sustainable model community through strong citizen involvement and committed leadership." However, no details are provided on the board web page about who sits on this board and exactly what practices they have advised.

City of Tempe

www.tempe.gov

General Plan 2030

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 164,139
• Median Age: 28.1 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 80.9% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 21.9% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $47,882 (< $53,046 national)

The Public Works Department overlays sustainability on conventional municipal services with their Sustainable Tempe page, stereotypically featuring a stylized tree in the logo. Subcategories listed include:

• Land Use and Green Buildings
• Social and Cultural Sustainability (!?)
• Solid Waste and Recycling
• Transportation and Air Quality
• Water Conservation
• Energy Conservation

Despite the significant number of grants and programs linked from the Sustainable Tempe site, accomplishments listed in the FY 2013 Sustainability report, while significant in terms of community involvement, are comparatively modest in direct environmental impact:

• Energy Efficiency:
  • 15% of south water plant powered by solar energy
• Solid Waste and Recycling:
  • 11,705 tons of residential waste diverted from landfill
  • 415 tons of green waste composted in city parks
  • 161 tons of hazardous household waste collected
  • 52 trees planted
• Transportation:
  • 12 million public transit rides
  • 10,790 bicyclists/motorcyclists/taxi (?) riders
• Water Conservation:
  • 3.2 MM gallons saved (how?)
  • 99 landscaping rebates
  • 411 toilet replacement rebates
• Land Use and Built Environment:
  • Two community gardens
  • One farmer's market on city property
  • 1,500 pounds of produce harvested at the Escalante Community Garden

City of Peoria

www.peoriaaz.gov

City of Peoria General Plan 2010

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 154,566
• Median Age: 38.2 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 87.2% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 19.2% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $63,940 (> $53,046 national)

The city maintains a Peoria's Commitment to Sustainability web page, with a contact link to Susan J. Daluddung (Susan.Daluddung@peoriaaz.gov), Deputy City Manager for Development & Community Services. The minimal page is exists primarily as a home for links to the Sustainability Action Plan and year-end report, with no links to actual city programs like water conservation recycling or green buildings.

The Sustainability Action Plan 2012 lists the following generic goals:

• Reduce environmental impacts of local government projects
• Save water
• Save energy
• Save money
• Build for the future
• Reduce waste
• Preserve open space
• Enhance livability
• Embrace design excellence
• Recognize and reward excellence in sustainability.
• Education

Accomplishments listed in the Sustainability Year in Review 2013 include:

• Municipal Facilities: A 36\% reduction in per-square-foot energy demand at the City Hall campus over 2007, although the report acknowledges a 31% increase in square footage
• Green Building Design: "The Peoria Community Center expansion is our second LEED Gold building. The Seattle Mariners and the City of Peoria are jointly pursuing a power purchase agreement for solar energy at the Peoria Sports Complex. And although the ball teams are aiming for Silver, maybe they'll go for Gold too!"
• Transportation: "With all new project designs and construction projects, we incorporate new bike and pedestrian facilities, as well as add pavement overlays where available."
• Recycling and Waste Reduction: recycling in all city-owned facilities, expanded neighborhood recycling, water fountains on the City Hall campus
• Water Resources: Xeriscaping newer city buildings, reclaimed water for outdoor landscaping, low flow fixtures
• Education and Outreach: "development of a cohesive marketing plan for our educational work- shops and programs around sustainability", outdoor sustainability film screenings

City of Surprise

www.surpriseaz.gov

Surprise General Plan 2035: Foundation for the Future

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 115,007
• Median Age: 36.0 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 86.7% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 17.2% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $59,973 (> $53,046 national)

The city's environmental sustainability information is unified by the city's Sustainability Division (sustainability@surpriseaz.gov), which sits organizationally under the Public Works Department. It is unclear who the manager is for that division. The Green Surprise / Sustainability web page provides links to aggregation sub-pages:

• Air Quality
• Hybrid Vehicles
• Water Conservation
• Recycling
• Public Transportation
• LEED Rebates
• Solar Surprise
• Solar Power Tracker
• Water Saving Plant Guide
• Watch Landscape Classes

City of Avondale

www.ci.avondale.az.us

Avondale General Plan 2030: Healthy Sustainable Community

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 75,298
• Median Age: 28.1 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 77.9% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 52.3% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $57,791 (> $53,046 national)

The city's environmental sustainability information is unified on the city's Sustainability web page, although some of the linked information (like air quality or historic districts) might be seen as more related to lifestyle and aesthetics than the mitigation of environmental impacts associated with sustainability discourse. The Municipal Sustainability Plan lists Daniel Culotta (dculotta@avondale.org) as Environmental Program Manager, under the Development and Engineering Services Department. Sustainability sub-pages include:

• Energy and Climate
• Transportation
• Health and Well-being
• Resources and Waste
• Water
• Air Quality
• Ecosystems (Xeriscaping)
• Economy

City of Apache Junction

www.ajcity.net

Apache Junction 2010 General Plan

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 35,663
• Median Age: 47.3 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 93.9% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 15.6% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $38,393 (< $53,046 national)

The city website does not provide a unified page for sustainability or the environment. One promising page for the Strong Sustainable Community Initiative in the Development Services Department only lists a single neighborhood and focuses on lifestyle, with an stated purpose, "To make concerted efforts to invest in our neighborhoods and provide clean, safe and desirable environments in which to live." The city has a LEED-certified City Hall but does not appear to coordinate or promote private construction of green buildings. The parks department does sponsor Christmas tree recycling References to the environment in the General Plan are often made in the context of safety, recreation or aesthetics.

Part of the absence may be explained by extensive privatization of city services. Waste management is handled by private companies, all of which offer curbside recycling. Water is provided both by the Apache Junction Water Utilities Community Facilities District and the Arizona Water Company.

City of El Mirage

www.cityofelmirage.org

El Mirage General Plan (2009): Arizona's Sustainable Community!

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 31,001
• Median Age: 28.2 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 75.7% (< 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 50.7% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $47,076 (< $53,046 national)

The city website does not provide a unified page for sustainability or the environment, although a page listing Strategic Advantages contains a number of elements from the New Urbanist canon:

• A sustainable community with a solid and vibrant economic base that provides long term viability
• A safe and efficient multimodal or multiple access transportation corridors with an optimum opportunity for transit oriented facilities and potential for pockets of high density transit-oriented development
• A fully connected open space and greenway system, opening the way for more non-motorized transportation opportunities within the City and between adjacent cities and towns
• A more pedestrian/bicycle-friendly walking and biking environment that encourages people to leave their cars behind for shorter community trips
• A progressive employment (air force) base-housing relationship that meets the employment needs of the community and the region, increases the sustainability of the City, and alleviates the regional transportation network
• An effective integration of mixed-use developments within parcels, as well as mixes of uses between parcels, that promotes a diversity of land uses where people can live, work, play

The city does implement a number of sustainability programs:

• Blue barrel recycling
• A community garden and farmer's market
• The city council sponsors a Water and Energy Conservation Committee that is open to all residents.
• Surprisingly, there does not seem to be an active water conservation program.

Town of Florence

www.florenceaz.gov

Town of Florence 2020 General Plan: History, Character, Vision

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 25,866
• Median Age: 38.8 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 81.7%, (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 41.5% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $45,114 < $53,046 national)

This city website is striking for the absence of mentions of environmental sustainability. There to not appear to be any web pages, town commissions / boards, or town staff explicitly dedicated to sustainability or the environment. The Downtown Florence Economic Sustainability Report deals only with economic matters and does not cover environmental sustainability. The Public Works department maintains a page for their recycling program and a page of tips for water conservation.

Town of Queen Creek

www.queencreek.org

Queen Creek General Plan (2008): Keeping Queen Creek Unique

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 25,849
• Median Age: 28.9 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 86.0% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 15.7% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $88,121 (> $53,046 national)

The city website has a page for Sustainability and Air Quality, which offers descriptions and links for:

• Water Conservation (Utilities Department)
• Recycling (Trash and Recycling Department)
• Town of Queen Creek Green Building Policy (Public Works Department)
• Air Quality / Dust Control (Public Works Department)

A separate Environmental page under the Public Works Department duplicates the sustainability page links with additional links for burn permits and summer ozone health watches.

Town of Fountain Hills

www.fh.az.gov

General Plan 2010

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 22,678
• Median Age: 52.9 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 95.5% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 4.4% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $75,718 (> $53,046 national)

The city Development Services Department maintains a page of Environmental Programs under the supervision of Raymond Rees (rrees@fh.az.gov):

• Air Quality
• Alternative Recycling Locations
• Draining Your Pool and Spa
• Earth Day 2013
• Electronics Recycling
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Paper Shredding
• Solar Permits
• Storm Water Management

A separate Growing Greener page with a handful of sustainability-specific initiatives:

• Green Fridays: City offices open on a 4-day Monday-Thursday work week, although there is no analysis of what energy-consumptive activities city employees engage in on their extra day off.
• Saguaro Preservation
• Low Water Landscaping
• Solar Permit Applications

Town of Paradise Valley

www.ci.paradise-valley.az.us

2012 General Plan

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 13,025
• Median Age: 50.4 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 94.4% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 6.5% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $139,524 (> $53,046 national)

The city maintains a surprisingly content-free Sustainability page with no listed programs, but the bold statement that:

The Town of Paradise Valley has developed a comprehensive inventory of current policies, ordinances, and programs that support the Town's commitment to sustainability. The inventory revealed the Town already has many sustainable measures in place, including a hybrid vehicle fleet, audio/video conferencing, crime prevention classes and two 'green' fire stations. In addition, the Town is exploring alternate energy sources to power the Town Hall campus. This demonstrates the Town's commitment to the environmental, economic, and social stewardship of Town operations and the Paradise Valley community.

The contact person on the page is Senior Planner Molly Hood, who may be engaged in an effort to give the city's web presence a more sustainable tinge than the town actually has.

A page on Water and Environmental Conservation is slightly more meaningful, with links to pages that have links for:

• Electronics recycling
• Garbage and recycling
• Household hazardous waste disposal
• Water conservation awareness materials available at City Hall

City of Tolleson

www.tollesonaz.org

General Plan 2024

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 6,556
• Median Age: 26.7 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 86.1% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 82.0% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $37,972 (< $53,046 national)

The city website contains no obvious explicit sustainability page nor any employees dedicated to environmental or sustainability programs. There are water conservation articles on the Water Utilities Department page, and information on the sanitation department's recycling program

Town of Youngtown

youngtownaz.org

Youngtown General Plan 2025

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 6,081
• Median Age: 35.4 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 82.3% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 39.3% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $36,960 (< $53,046 national)

The town website contains no explicit pages for or references to sustainability or environmental policies / programs. All utility services are provided by private companies. The waste disposal company website provides information on recycling programs and the water provider provides information on water conservation

The town is ironically named, having originally been incorporated in 1961 as a retirement community.

Town of Guadalupe

www.guadalupeaz.org

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 5,726
• Median Age: 26.8 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 47.7% (< 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 67.0% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $33,396 (< $53,046 national)

The town website has a limited amount of content and has no obvious pages explicitly dedicated to sustainability or environmental policy. There is no clear link to a state-mandated general plan.

City of Litchfield Park

www.litchfield-park.org

2010 General Plan Update

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 5,173
• Median Age: 46.4 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 93.8% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 17.4% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $77,321 (> $53,046 national)

The town website contains no explicit pages for or references to sustainability or environmental policies / programs. All utility services are outsourced to private companies, although the Community and Recreational Services department provides a detailed page of recycling instructions

Town of Cave Creek

www.cavecreek.org

General Plan 2005

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 5,041
• Median Age: 50.6 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 95.4% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 2.2% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $75,458 (> $53,046 national)

The town website contains a limited amount of current information on sustainability and environmental programs / policies. The Green Cave Creek page is primarily a collection of old articles and links on energy efficiency. A linked Sustainability Action Plan from 2009 outlines 12 boilerplate elements of sustainability but provides only generic policy suggestions for accomplishing those objectives.

Town of Carefree

www.carefree.org

General Plan 2030

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 3,391
• Median Age: 59.3 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 99.9% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 0.1% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $78,487 (> $53,046 national)

Master-planned community originally developed in the mid 1950's.

The small, functional town website has no pages explicitly addressing the environment or sustainability. Accordingly, no person is explicitly designated as having a job overseeing sustainability or environmental policy.

The General Plan includes numerous obligatory references to sustainability, and many of those references involve economic issues or preservation of valued environmental aesthetics. Actual policy recommendations in the environmental are vague boilerplate, such as:

• Incorporate sustainable practices and materials in public projects where feasible.
• Continue to encourage green building practices through local Building Code standards. Assess updates to the Code that will continue to encourage development, but in a more environmentally sustainable manner.
• Promote alternative forms of energy and energy efficient measures in public facilities in conformance with Town financial priorities.
• To help mitigate light pollution and protect dark skies at night, by minimizing outdoor lighting to pedestrian areas and commercial development. Ensure lighting is shielded and pointed in a downward direction.
• Pursue external funding for energy efficiency programs according to the needs of the community through government grants, matching funds and public- private partnerships.
• Support educational and outreach endeavors to disseminate information about sustainable building practices, recycling and energy efficiency measures.
• Assist the Maricopa County Environmental Services Division in its enforcement of Federal and County regulations geared toward improving air and water quality.
• Support non-vehicular modes of transportation as outlined in the Circulation Element to reduce vehicular traffic and air pollution.
• Promote water conservation by pursuing the goals, plans and objectives in the Environmental and Water Resources Elements.

Unincorporated Census Designated Places

The Phoenix urban area contains ten unincorporated communities that are Census Designated Places. Some of these were formed from private developments and some continue to exist as vestigial retirement communities. Municipal services are provided by a variety of private or public (county or assessment district) entities.

The absence of incorporated governance implies an absence of direct public environmental governance as the medium for sustainability policy. This begs the questions of what extent sustainability discourse is a political translation dependent on public governance, and whether sustainability would exist in a catastrophist, Randian, or Hobbesian neoliberal future where governance has devolved to feudal privatization.

The comparative absence of sustainability discourse from the websites for these developments may also be a function of a target audience of financially-secure retirees that retains a values system from the post-WW-II economy of rapacious consumption. These communities self-select residents whose lifestyles revolve around time- and energy-intensive recreational activities that also distract attention from macro-environmental issues. Sustainability discourses that are muted by material sufficiency in retirees are amplified by the economic angst of inequality and underemployment for many in younger, less-affluent generations.

San Tan Valley

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 77,465
• Median Age: 28.2 (< 37.2 years
• White Population: 78.4% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 22.4% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $58,590 (> $53,046 national)

Community does not appear to have any formal web presence outside the www.santanvalley.com news website.

Sun City

America's Favorite Active Adult Community

www.suncityaz.org

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 37,841
• Median Age: 73.2 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 96.4% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 2.9% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $36,903 < $53,046 national)

Website for the Sun City Visitors Center contains no explicit pages on sustainability or environmental policy / programs.

Sun City West

www.suncitywest.org

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 25,314
• Median Age: 75.8 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 97.8% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 0.7% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $46,260 < $53,046 national)

Website for the Sun City West Visitors Center contains no explicit pages on sustainability or environmental policy / programs.

Anthem

www.onlineatanthem.com

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 23,125
• Median Age: 34.4 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 91.7% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 17.8% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $76,136 (> $53,046 national)

Unlike most unincorporated areas, the Anthem Community Council maintains a comparatively robust website. However that site contains very little explicit information on sustainability or environmental policy outside a handful of references to recycling events and water conservation. Utility services are, of course, supplied by private companies. Michelle Collins, ACC Community Center Assistant Director, might be a potential contact for further information.

Sun Lakes

Active Adult Community

www.sunlakesofarizona.com

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 13,868
• Median Age: 70.9 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 96.3% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 2.9% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $53,920 (> $53,046 national)

Community website and blog contains no obvious information explicitly on sustainability or environmental policy.

New River

(no website)

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 13,024
• Median Age: 45.4 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 95.7% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 6.6% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $86,217 (< $53,046 national)

Gold Canyon

goldcanyon.net

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 10,232
• Median Age: 61.8 (> 37.2 national)
• White Population: 96.4% (> 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 7.5% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $64,927 (> $53,046 national)

Community website contains no obvious information explicitly on sustainability or environmental policy.

Komatke

Part of the Gila River Indian Community (www.gilariver.org)

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 1,193
• Median Age: 18.4 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 6.9% (< 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 11.3% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $9,427 (< $53,046 national)

Community website contains no obvious information explicitly on sustainability or environmental policy.

Goodyear Village

Part of the Gila River Indian Community (www.gilariver.org)

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 579
• Median Age: 33.8 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 1.7% (< 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 18.5% (> 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $33,594 (< $53,046 national)

Maricopa Colony

Part of the Gila River Indian Community (www.gilariver.org)

2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates:

• Population: 553
• Median Age: 27.5 (< 37.2 national)
• White Population: 22.6% (< 76.5% national)
• Hispanic Population: 13.6% (< 16.4% national)
• Median Household Income: $21,845 (< $53,046 national)