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Granite Dells

Scenic Granite Dells Acreage Added to Open Space

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Mayor Goode praised Baynes, the Storm Family and all others involved in making the purchase possible.

After decades of negotiation, the City of Prescott closed escrow on 302 acres of the Storm Ranch property, which adds to the iconic Granite Dells area on the northeast edge of the city. The land, valued at $8,461,808, closed escrow on Oct 5.

City officials praised the purchase of the additional land. In an exclusive statement to the Quad Cities Business News, Prescott Mayor Phil Goode said, “The city’s purchase of the 300-plus acres was an important step in the city’s ongoing effort to acquire scenically significant open space. The views from the property are fantastic. They will now be enjoyed by generations to come.”

City Recreation Services Director Joe Baynes said the acquisition will provide a key link to other open space known as the Granite Dells. In an exclusive statement, Baynes said, “The acquisition was important not only for the stunning beauty and opportunity for human planned recreation but also because it is contiguous to 474 acres of the Dells acquired through annexation of the Arizona Eco Development property and 160-acre purchase from the Storm Ranch in 2018. The Peavine and the Iron King trails will provide access to the properties with a wide variety of trails – some fairly easy to some highly technical.”

Work on new trails is to begin this month. Six miles of new trails are expected to be open to the public by late March or early April 2023. Among the first to be constructed is approximately a one-mile stretch that will connect the Iron King Trail to the gap area in the Dells, with an elevation climb of about 200 to 300 feet.

Included in the agreement is a provision for the city to work with the sellers to memorialize the Storm family and its ranching history of almost 100 years. Appropriate signage will be placed on the newly acquired property.

Mayor Goode praised Baynes, the Storm Family and all others involved in making the purchase possible. He said that acquiring the last piece of Storm Ranch is a monumental accomplishment that demonstrates the city’s continuing commitment to open space preservation, a true legacy that endures over time. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Celebrating Open Space and Sister Cities

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Prescott City Council approved the purchase of more than 300 acres of property for the purpose of natural open space in the Granite Dells.

August was an important month for the City of Prescott, as council took several steps to ensure a prosperous future for our citizens, while looking back on a half century of partnership with one of our Sister Cities.

Prescott City Council approved the purchase of more than 300 acres of property for the purpose of natural open space in the Granite Dells. The land was acquired from the Storm family, following a letter of intent approved by council on Nov. 9, 2021. This strategic acquisition of property meets the criteria as set forth in the 2009 council-adopted Open Space Master Plan and will provide for outdoor recreation and use for generations to come. Acquiring this last segment of the Storm Ranch is a monumental accomplishment that demonstrates the city’s ongoing commitment to open space preservation. This will be a true legacy in the long run. Thank you to Joe Baynes, the Storm Family, and everyone involved.

City Council confirmed membership of the Prescott General Plan Committee. Council selected seven members, who will serve through the approval of the new General Plan, which is due by 2025. The General Plan was last adopted in 2015 and must be updated every 10 years in accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes. The purpose of this committee shall be to coordinate with city staff for updates to the City of Prescott General Plan. Citizen participation is required for the creation of a plan to be adopted by the City Council for the General Plan updates, which will then be approved by voters by 2025. Congratulations to our Citizen Appointees: Ralph Hess, Rod Moyer, Jim Huffman, Deborah Thalasitis, Gary Worob, Terry Sapio and Andre Carman.

Following the discovery by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) of two PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in two city wells in the airport area in early July, which were immediately turned off, the city requested that ADEQ sample the additional city production wells located in Chino Valley. At the same time, the city employed an independent lab to test all city water production wells. Those results came back and were reported Aug. 19, resulting in barely detectable levels of PFOA in three of four operational Chino Valley wells and detectable levels of PFOS and PFOA in Airport Well No. 5. PFAS were not detected in Chino Valley Well No. 4, Airport Well No. 2, and Airport Well No. 3. Consequently, Airport Well No. 5 will remain off-line. Since Airport Well No. 3 came back as non-detectable for the chemicals, it will be placed back into service.

Since PFAS were detected for the first time in three of four Chino Valley wells, City staff will make operational changes to minimize levels of PFAS in city potable water supplies by turning off Well Nos. 3 and 5 and blending water from Well Nos. 2 and 4 before sending it to customers.  It is expected that this blending plan will result in non-detectable levels of PFAS in city potable water supplies. The city will regularly test for PFAS in its potable water supply to continue to maintain adequate quantities of safe, clean drinking water. As test results are received, city staff will immediately inform the public and quickly make operational changes to minimize the introduction of PFAS into city potable water supplies. For more information, go to the city website and select PFAS and PFOS Resource Center from the homepage.

Finally, I would like to take a moment to recognize the 50th Anniversary of Prescott Caborca Sister Cities program. On Aug. 14, 1972, Mayor Taylor Hicks signed a proclamation for the City of Prescott to become an official sister city with Caborca, Mexico. I would like to thank Dr. Will Fisher and the entire Caborca Sister City committee for their commitment and for putting together this year-long celebration of a half-century of Sister Cities in Prescott. Caborca Sister Cities will host a 50th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Sept. 17. I will be there, along with several council members. We hope you can join us to support this commendable program. QCBN

By Phil Goode

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.

Enjoying Prescott’s Outdoor Beauty

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Our mild climate, beautiful mountain vistas, five lakes, multiple golf courses, sports fields, and the Granite Dells are an allure to visitors and citizens alike.

Spring is beginning to make an appearance here in Arizona, and we are all beginning to turn our attention once again to the vast array of outdoor activities available in the Prescott community. One of the greatest gifts our hometown has given us during the uncertainty of the last year has been the beauty of the great outdoors. Our mild climate, beautiful mountain vistas, five lakes, multiple golf courses, sports fields, and the Granite Dells are an allure to visitors and citizens alike. With so many natural assets, it’s no wonder Prescott has earned rankings such as “Top 10 Cities for Well-Being,” “Top Happiest and Healthiest Communities,” and “Best Destination in Arizona for Nature Lovers.” In 2020, Prescott again topped the charts, this time with trail usage topping 1.1 million users.

Our system of more than 450 miles of hiking trails is the supreme centerpiece to Prescott’s outdoor amenities. Many of the trails in the city’s system are accessible by bike or horse, and with the wide array of difficulty levels, there are options for every skill and age level. The city alone has more than 100 miles of trails, adding more every year. Some of the most well-known trails like Watson Lake trails, Peavine Trail, Willow Lake trails and Prescott Circle Trail regularly attract families seeking a day in the fresh air. Individuals seeking lesser-known trails and challenges can access the city’s complete trail system via the Avenza Map App. Links to the app and additional information on the local trail system can be found on the Recreation & Trails Page of the city website.

Continuing to improve and expand this trail system has been a cornerstone of the city’s Recreation Services Department endeavors for many years. Recently, the city partnered with Prescott Mountain Biking Association to upgrade the pump track mountain bike loop at Granite Creek Park. A pump track is a closed-loop practice track consisting of berms, jumps and rollers connected by bank turns. The rider “pumps” his or her way through in a continuous loop without having to pedal.

Open space is of great importance to our community and continuing to offer the important outdoor amenities we all hold dear is at the forefront of purchases and annexations in the Prescott area. As negotiations continue with AED, one of the main goals is connections associated with the Prescott Circle Trail and eventual connection to all areas of the Quad Cities.

As we continue to make our way to the other side of COVID-19, we are even more grateful for how blessed we are with so many natural assets. Taking the time to enjoy warm weather, time with family and breathe in the fresh air can do wonders in benefits to everyone’s mental health. And I encourage all citizens and visitors to get out and enjoy the beauty Prescott has to offer. Take to the trails! QCBN

By Greg Mengarelli, QCBN

Greg Mengarelli is the mayor of Prescott.

Prescott, AED Endorse Granite Dells Proposal

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The pathway is open for future deliberations and discussions about the development of 850 homes and 200 resort units in land owned by Arizona Eco Development (AED) in the iconic Granite Dells area.

The property is located on the northeast side of Highway 89 as it goes toward the Prescott Regional Airport (PRC).

A unanimous vote by the Prescott City Council approved a letter of intent with AED during a council meeting on June 9. City Attorney Jon Paladini pointed out the letter of intent is a “non-binding agreement but that it was necessary so that further discussion could occur to refine precise details involved in the project.”

In a statement to the Quad Cities Business News, Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli said, “I was pleased with the contents of the letter of intent. I have full faith and confidence that the submittal and public review process will move forward in a timely and transparent fashion.”

Reaching the signing of a letter of intent has taken more than two years of sometimes intense negotiation among three main parties – The City of Prescott; AED, whose CEO is Jason Gisi, and the Save the Dells advocacy group.

Specifically, the city will receive 475 acres that will be preserved as “open space” near the iconic Point of Rocks landmark. That open space also assures preservation and protection of the popular Peavine and Iron King trails.

The City will have 270 acres of land near the PRC, for future airport expansion and economic development. Also, another 131 acres in the airport area will be acquired. Mayor Pro Tem Billie Orr wrote, “Using a 90% FAA grant, the additional 131 acres adjacent to the runway will be purchased by the city from AED.”

In exchange for the 475 acres of private land from AED (475 in the Granite Dells area and 270 near the airport), the city will provide AED with 753 acre-feet of water to serve the company’s Granite Dells residential and commercial developments. At the same time, AED will relinquish its water rights to 375-plus acre-feet of Watson Lake, southwest of the Point of Rocks in the Granite Dells. That water will be used for recharge and recreation.

Gisi has indicated that AED plans to develop 850 home lots and a 200-room resort complex near the popular Peavine Trail.

All the AED land will have access to potable water provided by the City of Prescott Water Resource Management Department. Properties will be connected to the city-maintained sanitary and sewer system. City officials note that residences and commercial businesses in the development will not be on wells or septic systems. Approximately 90% of the water from such properties will be recharged back into the city system.

AED has agreed to pay the costs for infrastructure, impact fees and surcharges required for maintenance of the water and sewer systems. Only one road will cross over the Peavine Trail instead of the initially proposed five crossovers.

Prescott officials emphasize that all properties must adhere to city standards and regulations, including having xeriscaped lots, water-tolerant plants and foliage, and high efficiency water fixtures and appliances.

City officials said the letter of approval was just the first step in what is likely to be a long review process toward a formal binding agreement. Currently, a 60-day comment period is in place.

“We’re not there yet, but we can see the finish line from here,” said Mengarelli. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN