Surprise will unveil proposals for village core boundaries

Surprise planners will present proposed boundary changes for the city's nine urban village cores at a public meeting Monday.

Surprise came up with the village concept - a collection of neighborhoods with their own unique characteristics - during meetings with residents in 2006-07 to plan growth. The village boundaries were adopted in July in the 2030 General Plan.

The proposed changes are minimal in the incorporated areas, which are already developing a strong character, said Jeff Mihelich, city community development director. The more drastic boundary changes are in the less developed areas of the city's northern planning area, he said.

Staff relied on a number of factors in proposing the changes, including resident input, landscape character and transportation corridors, Mihelich said.

The goal is to develop final boundaries by December and have the City Council consider them Jan. 8, he said.

If the boundaries are approved, staff will begin work on two village plans, Village 1 and Village 3.

Staff will solicit volunteers to work on issues such as naming the village, determining possible uses for vacant parcels and evaluating transportation needs.