Balancing Urban Growth and Landscape Preservation

Abstract

Flagstaff has become a rapidly growing city at the junction of Interstates 17 and 40 in Arizona. Located at 7,000 feet above sea level in the foothills of the 12,600-foot-high San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff's sprawl threatens its arid, alpine environment. At the same time, Flagstaff remains a major staging area for visitors to the Grand Canyon and a nearby ski area, among other attractions. As a consequence, a lengthy strip-almost a separate city-of lodging properties, restaurants, and gas stations has developed along the old Route 66, which remains a major artery through Flagstaff. With expansion have come an anti-growth reaction and efforts to balance development with environmental preservation. Part of the concern is that uncontrolled growth would cost Flagstaff its ability to attract tourists and to afford residents a desirable quality of life. A community-wide effort has established a five-year plan intended to create that balance between development and environmental protection.