Project Areas

WHAT ARE SOME OF MAG'S SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS?

Air Quality Planning
MAG has been instrumental in preparing a number of air quality plans which have been submitted to EPA in recent years. These plans have included commitments for implementation of some of the strongest air pollution control measures in the nation, including requirements for cleaner motor vehicle fuels, centralized and roadside vehicle emissions tests, gasoline pump vapor recovery nozzles, employer trip reduction plans, fireplace use restrictions, and many additional measures. A list of the plan submittals made since 1990 is provided below.

Transportation Planning
In the last decade, significant developments have occurred in transportation planning and funding. In 1985, the voters of Maricopa County approved Proposition 300 which included a one-half cent sales tax to complete new freeways in the MAG system. Although a national recession followed the 1985 vote, significant freeway segments have been completed due to the passage of the one-half cent sales tax. Following the passage of the tax, several mistakes were made in implementing the Freeway Program. An audit of the Freeway Program conducted by the Legislature and the passage of new legislation in 1992 instituted several reforms to the system. ADOT has implemented a Life Cycle Program to insure that costs and revenues are in balance. Also in 1992, MAG created the Fiscal Analysis Unit to monitor ADOT and issue a status report on the Freeway System. Since 1992, the Annual Report has indicated that the Life Cycle Program developed by ADOT has been in balance with costs and revenues and construction schedules have been met.

Public Participation
In fulfilling its numerous ongoing transportation planning responsibilities, MAG has also recently implemented an enhanced public participation process in accordance with ISTEA. Conducted in conjunction with ADOT and the Regional Public Transportation Authority, this process provides complete information on transportation plans, timely public notice, public access to key decisions, and opportunities for early and continuing involvement in the process.

Planning for the Future of Our Youth
In response to member agency requests, in 1994 the MAG Regional Council authorized the creation of the MAG Youth Policy Advisory and Management Review Committees. The original impetus for the creation of the Youth Committees was the concern for the increasing number of children who are victims or perpetrators of violence. The Committees are charged with developing regional strategies for the positive development of youth. Significant progress has been made since the formation of the Committees.

Round table discussions were conducted in communities throughout Maricopa County in an effort to identify strategies to assist young people.

In January 1995, a draft model regional curfew ordinance, prepared by the Committees, was approved by the Regional Council. Responding to the concern for safety of both children and the community, the Committees developed the draft regional model curfew ordinance, after noting the wide variation in times, ages and days of existing local government ordinances.

9-1-1 Emergency Telephone Service Planning
In 1994, the MAG 9-1-1 System became one of the first systems in the nation to begin the implementation of cellular telephone selective routing. Through this process, calls made from cellular telephones are directed toward the most appropriate response entity therefore minimizing the time for responding to emergency situations. Prior to the implementation of selective routing, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) was receiving all 9-1-1 calls from cellular telephones. Since the implementation of the process, MCSO has reported a significant decrease in the number of calls received from cellular telephones.

Electronic Technologies
MAG recently formed the Telecommunications Advisory Group which is assisting local public agencies in obtaining electronic mail and Internet connections. These connections are enabling MAG members to share information (i.e., agendas, minutes, notices) and databases (i.e., traffic counts, emissions inventories, Assessor's records) in an efficient and timely manner. The group is also exploring ways to increase public access to information maintained by MAG and its member agencies.

Regional Development Planning
In 1995, MAG adopted the Urban Form Study. This study examined four growth patterns with regards to future impacts on the region's air quality, traffic congestion, infrastructure costs and general quality of life factors. The study is the basis for the Region 2025 Vision and won the American Planning Association, Arizona Chapter, "Best Project" award in 1995.

The Desert Spaces Plan, adopted by the Regional Council in 1995, identified over four million acres of natural resources in the region that are recommended for conservation or sensitive development. The plan was funded by the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, Maricopa County, and MAG. Desert Spaces has become a regional guide for open space planning, and its recommendations are considered in a variety of local land use decisions. The plan won an award in 1996 from the Arizona Society of Landscape Architects.

Planning for Pedestrians
Often, facilities that encourage walking are considered as an afterthought. In other cases, pedestrian facilities are poorly planned and constructed, and do not get used. To address these issues, the MAG Pedestrian Working Group developed Policies and Design Guidelines for Pedestrian areas. The Policies and Design Guidelines won the American Planning Association, Arizona Chapter, "Best Ordinance" award in 1996. To encourage implementation of the policies and design guidelines, MAG offers pedestrian area design assistance to its members. So far, these efforts have resulted in over $1 million of federal construction funds for demonstration pedestrian facility projects in the valley.