Joint Planning Advisory Council (JPAC)
The Joint Planning Advisory Council (JPAC) has a shared vision to jointly coordinate planning efforts for the greater good of the regions and the State of Arizona. It is the intent of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the Pima Association of Government (PAG) and the Central Arizona Association of Governments (CAAG) to coordinate their respective planning activities and cooperatively work together to foster a successful and economically viable Sun Corridor in the State of Arizona.
A map of the Sun Corridor region in Arizona. Click to view a larger image.
On December 17, 2009, MAG, PAG, and CAAG signed a resolution stating their desire to jointly coordinate planning efforts in the Sun Corridor. These three agencies are located adjacent to one another with linked economies and acknowledge that regional planning issues transcend jurisdictional boundaries. These Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) also recognize that they collectively comprise 82 percent of the population of the State of Arizona based upon the July 1, 2008 official population estimate developed by the Arizona Department of Commerce and 85 percent of the April 2009 taxable sales.
In the past, MAG, CAAG, and Pinal County have participated in many joint planning studies, such as the Southeast Maricopa/Northern Pinal County Study, the Commuter Rail Strategic Plan, and the Hidden Valley Transportation Framework Study, for the betterment of the overall region. To further demonstrate regionalism, MAG and CAAG share three member agencies in common (Apache Junction, Gila River Indian Community and Queen Creek), and PAG and CAAG share one member agency in common (Marana).
The existing Maricopa air quality nonattainment area boundaries for PM-10 particulate matter and the eight-hour ozone standard extend into Pinal County and the Governor recently recommended to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the eight-hour ozone nonattainment area boundary be extended further into Pinal County. The Code of Federal Regulations (Section 450.312 of Title 23) requires that Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) boundaries, at a minimum, shall encompass the entire existing urbanized area (as defined by the Bureau of the Census) plus the contiguous area expected to become urbanized within a 20 year forecast period for the metropolitan transportation plan. Following the 2010 Census, new urbanized areas will be defined by the Bureau of Census and it will be necessary to determine if the existing MPA boundaries meet the statutory minimum.
The JPAC was established to identify mutually agreed upon goals and interests, provide guidance on possible technical assistance and joint planning activities, and enhance the communication and cooperation among the policymakers in the three regions. Councilwoman Peggy Neely, City of Phoenix, MAG Chair, stated that “We cannot let a chance to address our long-term shared opportunities go by. Through mutual cooperation and planning, the Sun Corridor could hold the key to harnessing Arizona’s economic future.”
Resources:
- Hassayampa Study
- Hidden Valley Study
- Williams Gateway – ADOT
- EV Project
- North America Next
- Intermoutain West
- High Speed Rail
March 9, 2010 JPAC Staff Meeting Presentations.
- Proposed MAG freight Study and Interstate 11, Bob Hazlett (3/9/2010)
- AECOM Global Cities Institute, McNamara (3/9/2010)
- Vision 2015: Arizona's International Port of Entry, Luis Ramirez (3/9/2010)
- CAAG Pinal Projections Study, Jack Tomasik (3/9/2010)
- Southern Arizona Inland Port Possibilities, Andy Gunning (3/9/2010)
April 20, 2010 JPAC Meeting Presentations.
- Agenda
- Proposed MAG Freight Study and Interstate 11, Bob Hazlett (4/20/2010)
- Southern Arizona Inland Port Possibilities, Andy Gunning (4/20/2010)
- Sun Corridor Megapolitan Overview, Jay Hicks (4/20/2010)
- Sun Corridor Projections and Patterns Pinal Projections Study, Jack Tomasik (4/20/2010)
- Vision 2015 AZ International Port of Entry System, Luis Ramirez (4/20/2010)
June 28, 2010 JPAC Meeting Presentations.
- Agenda and Biographies
- Sun Corridor, Future Corridor, John McNamara (6/28/2010)
- Building Arizona’s Economy, The Honorable Jan Brewer, Governor, State of Arizona
August 26, 2010 – Arizona League of Cities and Towns Annual Conference – Arizona COG Directors Association Leadership Meeting.
- Arizona Freight Transportation Prospects – Dr. Arnold Maltz, Ph.D., W.P. Carey School of Business, Supply Chain Management
- Creating Economic Opportunities – Infrastructure as a Strategic Investment – Eric Anderson, MAG Transportation Director