MARICOPA, AZ – The City of Maricopa is beginning a state-required update of its General Plan, with a comprehensive community outreach strategy approved at the December 3rd City Council meeting. The plan will build upon the foundation of the current General Plan adopted in 2016.
The city, which has grown to approximately 70,000 residents since incorporating in 2003, will work with consulting firm Michael Baker International to facilitate the planning process through November 2026.
The public participation process includes three community workshops, both in-person and virtual. Beginning in winter 2024, the first workshop will focus on community vision and goals. A second workshop in spring 2025 will present findings and gather input on land use and growth areas. The final workshop in late summer/early fall 2025 will review the draft General Plan update.
As part of their outreach efforts, Michael Baker International will create “mobile studios” – portable workshop spaces that will appear at popular community events. These mobile studios will operate like pop-up workshops in booth form at events such as Merry Copa in winter, Copa Cultural Night in spring, and the Great American 4th Fireworks Show in summer. At these booths, residents can participate through project overview displays, prioritization bucket games, vision boards, neighborhood rating games, and children’s activities. The mobile studios may also visit local HOA board meetings to reach more community members.
Additional outreach includes a Youth Council workshop focused on high school-aged students, and optional target workshops at schools and retirement communities. Digital engagement will allow residents to participate through online surveys and mapping tools accessible via computers, tablets, and smartphones.
The city will share updates through Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Nextdoor, the Maricopa Monitor, InMaricopa, and Copa TV on Facebook and YouTube.
The General Plan must undergo a formal 60-day review period, receive Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation and City Council adoption before going to voters for ratification in the November 2026 General Election.
For more information, contact the City of Maricopa at 39700 W. Civic Center Plaza or email ma******@mb********.com or Ri**************@ma*********.gov.
