Whetstone Community
Infrastructure Sub-Committee
Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2005
The Whetstone Community Infrastructure Sub-Committee met in
the Whetstone Fire Station at 6:30 p.m. on October 13, 2005. In attendance
were:
Randy Bennett
Andrea Ellis
Valerie McDonald
Andi Malone
David Stephenson
George Whitmill
Warren J Backes, Sr.
Also in attendance was the Whetstone Community Coordinator,
Diana Barton-Chapman
Agenda:
Define scope of the sub-committee’s area
Determine the direction for further sub-committee action
During the course of the meeting, two additional items were
added to the discussion:
A petition
to have all utilities run underground where possible
Definition
of deliverables at the community meeting October 20, 2005
Scope:
The following systems and related items were discussed and
accepted by the group as constituting the infrastructure of the community
Water – to include delivery systems and non-potable water
drainage systems (e.g., runoff)
Natural gas
Streets, transportation, and traffic control to include
possible frontage roads along highways
Electrical power systems
Sewage disposal systems, including septic systems
Communications systems, including telecommunications systems
and supporting structures (e.g., cell towers), radio frequency spectrum,
Internet service provider infrastructure, cable TV
Emergency services, defined as fire, police, and emergency
medical technicians/ambulance service
Postal service
Air space not already addressed in
existing agreements with Fort Huachuca and unmanned aerial vehicle development
companies
Direction:
During the discussion, the Infrastructure Sub-Committee
arrived at the following recommendations:
Development of the Whetstone Comprehensive Plan will benefit
future planning since it brings active Cochise County government oversight.
The Whetstone Community should establish a steering
committee, possibly composed of the sub-committee chairpersons, to matrix the
efforts of the sub-committees. This step will enhance the comprehensive plan
development process since many of the issues involved cross sub-committee
boundary lines. For example:
1. Residential streets and
arterials fall under the purview of both the Infrastructure Sub-Committee and
the Zoning Sub-Committee.
2. Postal Service crosses the
boundary between the Infrastructure Sub-Committee and the Community Issues
Sub-Committee.
3. The 262 acre parcel recently
zoned as general business (GB), as well as any other business zoning, are of
concern to both the Zoning Sub-Committee and the Business Development
Sub-Committee.
The Infrastructure Sub-Committee believes there is a
consensus among the community members that we want to preserve the rural
atmosphere of Whetstone and the impressive views, and this consensus should be
paramount in the sub-committees’ considerations.
While the county will conduct a survey as part of the
comprehensive plan development, the sub-committees should develop survey
questions or topics to provide our input to the county for incorporation into
the survey.
The funding for any community enhancements will come from
the residents to some degree, perhaps a large degree. The Infrastructure
Sub-Committee recommends the community remember there are individuals on fixed
or single incomes that may not be able to bear a large increase in taxation.
This awareness must temper any recommended actions.
The community should orient outward growth
from a community center. The Infrastructure Sub-Committee recommends Mustang
Corners (the intersection of Arizona highways 90 and 82) as the community
center around which planning should progress.
Petition
for underground utilities:
As described above, the sub-committee believes the views
from Whetstone to be one of the more attractive features of the community. As
such, the views should be protected from impairment by overhead power lines,
telephone lines, cable, cell towers, etc. One of the committee members
indicated Sulphur Springs Valley Electrical Cooperative (SSVEC) was reluctant
to place power lines underground for unknown reasons. Two sub-committee members
are going to research SSVEC’s position and possible means of changing that
position. A third member is going to draft the petition for review by and
possible use within the community.
Research:
George Whitmill, Valerie McDonald
Draft:
Randy Bennett
Deliverable:
In preparation for delivering recommendations at the
community meeting on October 20, 2005, the sub-committee tasked reviews of how
the other comprehensive plans approved by the county or in draft review
addressed the several areas of concern. The sub-committee will present the
“best of breed” to the community at the meeting.
Emergency Services - Andrea Ellis, Warren J Backes, Sr.
Water - Randy Bennett, George Whitmill
Communications - Randy Bennett, George Whitmill
Utilities, to include electrical power and natural gas -
Valerie McDonald
Transportation - Andrea Ellis, Andi Malone
Postal Service - Diana Barton-Chapman, Andi Malone
Next Meeting:
The Infrastructure Sub-Committee will next meet at 2:00 p.m.
on October 16, 2005 at Andi Malone’s residence, 491 E. Oak St. in Whetstone.
The Infrastructure Sub-Committee adjourned.
