The La Paz County Comprehensive Plan is the first overall plan for development countywide. Due to the passage of new state requirements and a desire to plan for the future, the La Paz County Board of Supervisors contracted with Partners for Strategic Action, Inc. to develop the county’s first comprehensive plan. The consulting team was directed to solicit broad community participation, study the county planning area, and develop a plan that would be an easy-to-understand policy document that will guide La Paz County’s development in the future.

The purpose of the plan is to bring about coordinated physical development in accordance with the present and future needs of the county. The comprehensive plan shall be developed so as to conserve the natural resources of the county, to insure efficient expenditure of public funds, and to promote the health, safety, convenience, and general welfare of the public. Such comprehensive plan may include but not be limited to, among other things, studies and recommendations relative to the location, character and extent of highways, railroads, bus and other transportation routes, bicycle facilities, bridges, public buildings, public services, schools, parks, open space, housing quality, variety and affordability, parkways, hiking and riding trails, airports, forests, wildlife areas, dams, projects affecting conservation of natural resources, air quality, water quality and floodplain zoning.

On August 15, 1988 the Board of Supervisors appointed an eleven-member citizens' committee to develop policies designed to guide future growth and development in the Fort Valley area. The committee selected the issues of concern which included water, fire protection, solid waste disposal, utilities, environmental quality, roads, and land use. The study area decided upon was that depicted on the Department of Community Development's Fort Valley Zoning Map. This includes all lands outside of the incorporated City Limits of Flagstaff on both sides of Fort Valley Road/Highway 180 out to and including the Fort Valley and Baderville areas. The Committee decided to exclude Hart Prairie and Kendrick Park. Throughout the process, the Committee thought of the study area as being in tow distinct parts. South Fort Valley included the Lockett property, Colton Ranch area, Mount Elden Lookout Road, Schultz Pass Road, the Magdalena/Van Sickle area, Forest Hills and Hidden Hollow. North Fort Valley included Fort Valley Ranch, both sides of Highway 180 in the main valley, and Baderville.

The purpose of the plan is to make sure public funds are spent wisely, natural resources are conserved, and the health, safety and welfare of the residents are enhanced. It is a living document that can be amended anytime through proper procedures. It must be reviewed and updated at least every ten years. It is simply a guide to future growth and land use.

The purpose of the plan is to make sure public funds are spent wisely, natural resources are conserved, and the health, safety and welfare of the residents are enhanced. It is a living document that can be amended anytime through proper procedures. It must be reviewed and updated every ten years. It is simply a guide to future growth and land use.