The dawn of a new calendar year is often the time people take to looking at plans and prognostications for the next 12 months.

While Town of Fountain Hills officials are constantly looking ahead as new challenges and opportunities arise, the new year offers the opportunity to pause and reflect on what the next year may bring.

While construction began in 2015 on the new Morningstar assisted living facility in the downtown, it is expected that much of 2016 will be needed to complete the project.

In conjunction with that, the town has been discussing and working with the developer on a development agreement to expand the downtown project to include commercial and residential apartments along the Avenue of the Fountains.

At this point there is no clear timetable for completion of that agreement and the continuation of new construction.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh is optimistic about that progress.

“Finally and at long last, we expect the completion of our downtown with the construction of Park Place, consisting of retail space and apartments,” she said.

Late in 2015 the Town Council cleared the way for staff to move forward with construction of a new fire station on Fountain Hills Boulevard just north of Shea Boulevard. This is a relocation project for the existing station on Saguaro south of Shea.

Town Manager Grady Miller notes that most of 2016 will be used for the design and bidding process for the new facility, as well as working with residents in the area to assure the station is a good neighbor.

Kavanagh said that the new fire station site will “improve response times.”

The site was also selected to better balance the call loads between the two stations. Currently there is an 80/20 split between Station 1 on Palisades and Station 2.

Fire Chief Randy Roberts has said it is hoped the relocation would move that split closer to 60/40.

Election

There will be a Town Council election during 2016, with the primary scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 30, and any runoff if necessary with the November General Election.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh has indicated she will be seeking a third two-year term, and council members whose terms are up include Cecil Yates, Cassie Hansen and Dennis Brown.

State Trust Land

March is the deadline for the Ellman Companies to make payments to keep its option open for the former State Trust Land site in Fountain Hills.

Ellman purchased the roughly 1,300-acre site in northeast Fountain Hills in 2006 for $110.1 million.

Miller said it is his understanding that Ellman wishes to maintain interest in the land and may be still negotiating with the State Land Department on payment options.

However, if the land goes back to the Land Department, it could eventually go back to auction.

Miller said he met with State Land officials in October and indicated the town’s preference would be to maintain the development agreement already attached to the parcel and work with a single master developer.

“We are ready and willing to work with whomever on that project,” Miller said.

He added that State Land Department officials did indicate an interest in selling smaller parcels at auction if it gets the property back.

Other projects

Miller noted that staff has begun a review and will be presenting the council with an updated lighting ordinance during 2016.

Miller said the Dark Skies Committee and Astronomy Club have been giving input on that project, however, he notes the primary reason for the update is to bring the codes into line with new technology.

The council will also be considering the establishment of a new Sister Cities Commission, which would replace the existing committee structure.

Miller said the commission would support projects related to the existing Sister Cities, advise on consideration of any new Sister Cities and collaborate on fundraising to maintain the existing relationships.

The Fountain Hills Civic and Cultural Association (FHCCA) is working with the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission (SPAC) to update the Strategic Plan.

An FHCCA Visioning Committee is holding a town hall workshop this spring and should have a proposed document ready for council review by early summer.

It may be fall before the council takes any specific action on the update and vision plan.

Staff will also be bringing the council updates on various codes and ordinances.

Miller said the objective is to make sure the town is business and development friendly. The council will prioritize the proposed changes in the near future.

Miller also said the town will be paying off debt on the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Fountain Hills this year, potentially freeing up some funding for other uses.

The old bus barn adjacent to the old Four Peaks School site will be razed by the town this coming year.

Miller said this is in response to neighborhood concerns as well as coordinate with an overall park improvement plan.

Tennis courts at Golden Eagle Park and at Four Peaks Park will be renovated this year using grant funds from the Maricopa County Sports and Tourism Authority.