Carefree delays zoning overhaul to 2028, schedules stakeholder workshops

Town planning staff told the Carefree Town Council that a comprehensive zoning ordinance update and related public-participation work will extend beyond the originally listed FY26 completion date and now follows a schedule expected to conclude in calendar 2028.

Staff said the town contracted Michael Baker International to perform project orientation and code analysis and has assembled an advisory/stakeholder group. "Since the contract was approved, they have been working with staff," the presenter said, and the first stakeholder group meeting and community workshop are planned for late April.

Why it matters: The zoning update is the central regulatory tool that shapes development standards, signage, lighting, overlays and design guidance for the town center. Council members pressed staff on how the zoning overhaul would interact with separate design and signage guideline efforts and whether those should be combined or sequenced.

Staff stressed the update is intended to modernize the code where appropriate (for example, updating an older lighting specification that refers to outdated wattage measures) while avoiding dramatic changes to lot-development rules. The consultant will also develop a public participation plan and identify areas of concern to inform later drafts.

Council members discussed a possible overlay district for the town center and whether to accelerate design guidelines and signage updates. Staff said some of that work could be folded into the consultant contract as a change order, but that additional budgeting and stakeholder meetings would be required. The council asked staff to identify which items should be moved up in priority and to provide time-frame estimates so members can weigh capacity and sequencing.

Staff will return with a revised timeline and an updated implementation schedule; no ordinance or text amendments were adopted at this meeting.