Small-Town Feel, Big-Picture Planning

Once known as the "Hay Capital of the World," Gilbert has grown from a small farming community into one of the largest towns in America, home to nearly 292,000 residents, top employers, and vibrant neighborhoods. With build-out expected by 2030, nearly all available land will soon be developed, making every planning decision more important than ever.

Why Land Use Balance Matters
Currently, about 70.9% of our land is residential and only 9.5% is designated for commercial use. This balance is critical because commercial areas generate a significant share of the revenue that funds services like police and fire protection, parks and recreation, street maintenance, and infrastructure improvements. A healthy mix of residential, commercial, and employment areas also creates local jobs, shortens commute times, and supports a diverse economy. Once land is developed, it is unlikely to change for decades, so every land use decision is a long-term commitment.

Balancing growth with quality of life is about more than numbers. It is about ensuring Gilbert remains a place where neighbors know each other, families feel safe, and future generations can enjoy the same small-town feel that brought so many of us here in the first place.

Using Data to Guide Decisions
As a member of the Town Council, I believe that our planning approach must be driven by data, but also by a deep love for our community. Town staff and elected officials rely on a wide range of information to guide these decisions, from population forecasts and housing demand studies to economic impact analyses and infrastructure capacity reports. For example, we examine sales tax and property tax projections when considering new commercial areas, study traffic patterns and public safety service coverage for residential proposals, and review employment trends to plan for job growth.

Data helps ensure that our decisions meet today's needs while protecting tomorrow's opportunities. If too much commercial land is converted to residential, we could lose the ability to attract major employers or provide enough retail and service options for residents. Conversely, if residential growth slows without matching employment opportunities, our local economy could become less resilient. By tracking these trends, we can make sure Gilbert's land use mix supports both a strong economy and a high quality of life.

Understanding the Development Process
When a property owner or developer proposes a rezone or General Plan amendment, the review process begins with a pre-application meeting with Town staff to discuss zoning, land use, and infrastructure considerations. From there, the proposal undergoes a series of detailed technical reviews that evaluate factors such as land use compatibility, traffic impacts, infrastructure needs, design standards, and other site conditions.

The project then proceeds to the Planning Commission for a public hearing and formal recommendation. This stage provides an opportunity for residents to share feedback that becomes part of the official record. Notices are mailed to nearby property owners, and large yellow signs are posted on the site to notify the community about the hearing.

Only rezones and General Plan amendments advance to the Town Council for final consideration. Other application types, including Use Permits and Design Review cases, conclude at the Planning Commission level.

At every stage, Town staff and elected officials rely on data and the long-term goals in our General Plan to ensure proposed projects align with Gilbert's vision, meet community needs, and protect the small-town character we value so deeply.

Looking Ahead
Planning is about more than managing growth. It is about protecting the quality of life that makes Gilbert special, a place where kids can ride their bikes to the park, where residents gather for events in the Heritage District, and where people feel a true sense of belonging. As we approach build-out, these conversations will become even more important. Every decision we make today shapes what our community will look and feel like decades from now.

Gilbert will join communities across the country in recognizing National Community Planning Month, a time to celebrate the role that planning plays in creating places where people thrive. I am proud to be part of this work, and I will continue to approach every decision with both a careful look at the data and a heartfelt commitment to the people who call Gilbert home.

- Councilmember Monte Lyons