Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-1479 – Preparation and approval of redevelopment plans

A. A municipality shall not prepare a redevelopment plan for a redevelopment project area unless the local governing body, by resolution, has declared the area to be a slum or blighted area in need of redevelopment. The local governing body shall not consider a redevelopment plan for approval until a general plan for the development of the municipality has been prepared. A municipality shall not acquire real property for a redevelopment project unless the local governing body has approved the redevelopment plan, as prescribed in subsection F.
B. The municipality may itself prepare or cause to be prepared a redevelopment plan or any person or agency, public or private, may submit a plan to a municipality. A redevelopment plan shall be sufficiently complete to indicate its relationship to definite local objectives as to appropriate land uses, improved traffic, public transportation, public utilities, recreational and community facilities and other public improvements and the proposed land uses and building requirements in the redevelopment project area. The plan shall include, at a minimum:
1. 1. A statement of the boundaries of the redevelopment project area.
2. 2. A map showing the existing uses and conditions of the real property within the redevelopment project area.
3. 3. A land use plan showing proposed uses of the real property within the redevelopment project area.
4. 4. Information showing the standards of population densities, land coverage and building intensities in the area after redevelopment.
5. 5. A statement of the proposed changes, if any, in zoning ordinances or maps, street layouts, street levels or grades, building codes and ordinances.
6. 6. A statement as to the kind and number of site improvements and additional public utilities which will be required to support the new land uses in the area after redevelopment.
7. 7. A statement of the proposed method and estimated cost of the acquisition and preparation for redevelopment of the redevelopment project area and the estimated proceeds or revenues from its disposal to redevelopers.
8. 8. A statement of the proposed method of financing the redevelopment project.
9. 9. A statement of a feasible method proposed for the relocation of families to be displaced from the redevelopment project area.
C. The land uses and building requirements proposed in a redevelopment plan shall be designed with the general purpose of accomplishing, in conformance with the general plan, a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the municipality and its environs which will, in accordance with present and future needs, promote health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development, and including, among other things, adequate provision for traffic, vehicular parking, the promotion of safety from fire, panic and other dangers, adequate provision for light and air, the promotion of the healthful and convenient distribution of population, the provision of adequate transportation, water, sewerage and other public utilities, schools, parks, recreational and community facilities and other public requirements, the promotion of sound design and arrangement, the wise and efficient expenditure of public funds, the prevention of the recurrence of slum conditions or conditions of blight and the provision of adequate, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations.
D. Prior to its approval of a redevelopment plan, the local governing body shall submit a redevelopment plan to the planning commission of the municipality, if any, for review and recommendations as to its conformity with the general plan for the development of the municipality as a whole. The planning commission shall submit its written recommendations with respect to the proposed redevelopment plan to the local governing body within thirty days after receipt of the plan for review. Upon receipt of the recommendations of the planning commission or, if no recommendations are received within thirty days, the local governing body may proceed with the hearing on the proposed redevelopment plan prescribed by subsection E.
E. The local governing body shall hold a public hearing on any redevelopment plan or substantial modification to a plan being considered for approval. A municipality must notify each owner of real property located within the boundaries of a proposed redevelopment plan area of the time, date and location of a public meeting concerning the proposed adoption of the redevelopment plan. The municipality must provide this notice by first class mail to the address stated on the most recent records of the county assessor. The local governing body shall publish a public notice in a newspaper with a general circulation in the area of operation, once each week for two consecutive weeks, the last publication to be at least ten days prior to the date set for hearing. The notice shall describe the time, place and purpose of the hearing and shall also generally identify the area to be redeveloped under the plan. All interested parties shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to express their views respecting the proposed redevelopment plan at the hearing.
F. Approval of a redevelopment plan requires a two-thirds vote of the local governing body.
G. Following the hearing, the local governing body may approve a redevelopment plan if it finds that the plan is feasible and in conformity with the general plan for the development of the municipality as a whole, but if the redevelopment project area is a blighted area, the local governing body must also find that:
1. 1. A shortage of housing of sound standards and design, adequate for family life, exists in the municipality.
2. 2. The need for housing accommodations has been or will be increased as a result of the clearance of slums in other areas under redevelopment.
3. 3. The conditions of blight in the area and the shortage of decent, safe and sanitary housing cause or contribute to an increase in and spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to the public health, safety, morals or welfare.
4. 4. The development of the area for predominately residential uses is an integral part of and essential to the program of the municipality for the elimination of the slum or blighted area.
H. A redevelopment plan may be modified at any time, but if modified after the lease or sale of real property in the redevelopment project area, the modification shall be consented to by the redeveloper or redevelopers of real property or a successor or their successors in interest affected by the proposed modification. Any proposed modification which will substantially change the redevelopment plan as previously approved by the local governing body shall be considered a new plan and shall be subject to all the requirements of this section before it may be approved.