The visual character of a city or areas of the city is important to members of the community and helps establish the “feeling” of an area. Residents and businesses respond to the feeling of an area when choosing to live or locate there.
Tempe has divided the City into 8 Character Areas:
- Character Area 1 – Papago/N. Tempe
- Character Area 2
- Character Area 3
- Character Area 4 – Apache
- Character Area 5
- Character Area 6
- Character Area 7 – Kiwanis/The Lakes
- Character Area 8 – Corona/South Tempe
Five of the Character Areas have completed their planning updates. Three areas remain: CA-1, CA-2, and CA-6.
Currently, CA-1 also known as Character Area 1, the Papago/N. Tempe area, is going through review. While the CA-1 plan is not an official zoning document, it will be used by staff as a reference point when reviewing future developments.
The questions posed to residents and stakeholders is “What do you wish the area to look like in the future?” What types of housing options are needed? What types of transportation and opens space is desired? What is the overall aesthetic of the area?
The CA-1 planning area is essentially bordered by Priest on the west side, McClintock on the east side, McDowell on the north side, and the Loop 202 on the south side.
You can watch the recorded public meeting from May 11, 2021, see the staff presentation slides, and take the survey on the City of Tempe website. The survey ends June 30, 2021.
Tempe anticipates having a draft plan for public review in the Fall 2021.