Council Workshop — Buckeye, AZ
Date: 2025-09-17

CITY OF BUCKEYE
 COUNCIL WORKSHOP
 SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
 MINUTES


City Hall - 1st Floor / Executive Conference Room
530 East Monroe Avenue
Buckeye, AZ 85326
3:45 p.m.

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Orsborn called the meeting to order at 3:48 p.m.

Members Present: Councilmember Youngker, Councilmember Berry, Councilmember Goodman,
 Councilmember HagEstad, Councilmember Beard, and Mayor Orsborn.

Members Absent: Vice Mayor Heustis.

Departments Present: City Manager Doug Sandstrom, Deputy City Manager Dave Roderique, Deputy
 City Manager Javier Setovich, Interim Deputy City Manager Cindy Camarata,
 City Attorney Scott McCoy, City Clerk Lucinda Aja, Director of Communications
 Affairs Annie DeChance, Fire Chief Jake Rhoades, Police Chief Robert
 Sanders, Public Works Director Amy Murray, Water Resources Director Terry
 Lowe, Project Management Office Director James Shano, Airport Director Scott
 Gray, and Development Services Director Brian Craig.

2. Workshop Items

2.A Presentation and discussion of the Draft Housing Action Plan.
 Staff Liaison: Andrea Marquez, Senior Planner Special Projects

Ms. Marquez presented information regarding the draft Housing Action Plan. The City of Buckeye, in
partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and Matrix Design Group,
completed a comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) and is developing its first Housing
Action Plan (HAP). Funded through a grant with MAG, this initiative evaluates current housing
conditions, identifies unmet needs, and provides strategies to guide future housing development that
aligns with community growth, workforce demands, and affordability goals. Council is asked to
provide input, suggest modifications, and direct staff on implementation priorities and next steps.
Laney Corey, Senior Planner with Matrix Design Group, provided additional details regarding the
HAP. The plan, required by the state, aims to address housing needs. It includes a housing needs
assessment, community engagement, and policy recommendations. The assessment looks at
demographics, economic factors, and housing market demand, identifying gaps and opportunities for
diverse housing types. Community feedback was gathered through surveys and meetings,
highlighting the need for attainable housing for various demographics, including seniors and young
professionals. The plan also explores funding mechanisms and partnerships to implement the
policies effectively. The goal is to ensure housing availability and affordability while maintaining the
community's aesthetic and quality of life. The key policy recommendations in the draft housing action
plan include leveraging catalytic development areas like downtown and the landing area to introduce

September 16, 2025 Council Workshop Minutes
diverse housing types, providing development incentives such as density bonuses and expedited
review processes, creating standardized plans for accessory dwelling units, exploring down payment
assistance programs, and expanding human services to support housing needs. The plan
emphasizes the importance of making housing attainable for various demographics, including seniors
and young professionals, and ensuring that any new developments align with the community's
aesthetic and quality of life. Councilmember Goodman asked about the significant findings in the data
collected. The response highlighted that Buckeye is one of the fastest-growing communities,
becoming younger, and there is a need for senior housing. The plan aims to address the gap
between publicly funded and privately funded senior housing. Councilmember Goodman also
inquired about incomplete housing and the lack of recommendations to address it. The response
acknowledged the concern and mentioned exploring funding mechanisms to support development
variations. Mayor Orsborn asked about the public's feedback from the survey responses. The
response indicated a range of feedback, with some opposing multifamily housing and others
supporting it. The majority of respondents wanted diverse housing types and emphasized the
importance of traffic, safety, and design considerations. Mayor Orsborn questioned why the City
should get involved in housing decisions. The response explained that housing is a critical part of
economic development, supporting workforce needs and attracting employers. The City aims to
understand housing challenges and explore funding mechanisms and partnerships to address them.
Councilmember Youngker asked about the shortage of housing units. The response confirmed a
shortage and mentioned that the housing needs assessment identified this issue.

 2.B Presentation and discussion regarding the Airport Master Plan recommendations,
 revised Airport Layout Plan, and Long-Range Airport Development Plan.
 Staff Liaison: Scott Gray, Airport Director

Mr. Gray presented information regarding the Airport Master Plan recommendations, revised Airport
Layout Plan, and Long-Range Airport Development Plan. The Airport Master Plan is a required
document by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that outlines a 20-year capital plan for the
airport, focusing on both airside and landside development. It includes an airspace and instrument
procedures analysis to ensure minimal impact on Luke Air Force Base's mission. The primary runway
will remain, with an extension planned to the north, and a crosswind runway is proposed to
accommodate all weather conditions. The plan also includes the development of aircraft parking,
hangars, and an air traffic control tower. The revised Airport Layout Plan details the specific projects
and timelines for the next 20 years, including land acquisition, runway extensions, and maintenance
projects. It emphasizes the need for additional hangar space and parking for aircraft, as well as the
separation of helicopter operations from fixed-wing aircraft. The Long-Range Airport Development
Plan looks beyond the 20-year horizon, identifying potential for commercial service, air cargo, military
use, and urban air mobility. It includes the addition of two 10,500-foot runways to support these
activities and outlines the necessary infrastructure and facilities to accommodate future growth. The
plan aims to ensure the airport's development aligns with the City's vision and economic goals,
providing a roadmap for future expansion and investment. Mayor Orsborn asked about the timeline for
the crosswind runway. The response explained that the crosswind runway is planned for the second
five-year phase, with design and environmental processes starting earlier due to demand. The project
will be phased over time, with funding from the FAA expected to come incrementally. Mayor Orsborn
inquired about the economic impact study and whether it includes future uses or just the general plan.
The response confirmed that the economic impact study will account for both existing capabilities and
future uses, including commercial service, air cargo, and other potential developments. Mayor Orsborn
emphasized the importance of having a visionary document to attract potential users and investors,
highlighting that without such a plan, it would be challenging to show the airport's future potential.




September 16, 2025 Council Workshop Minutes
3. Adjournment.
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Orsborn adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.


 ______________________________________
 Eric W. Orsborn, Mayor
ATTEST:

_____________________________________
Lucinda J. Aja, City Clerk

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the Council Workshop held on
September 16, 2025. I further certify that a quorum was present.

_____________________________________
Lucinda J. Aja, City Clerk




September 16, 2025 Council Workshop Minutes