Despite months of debate, Maricopa City Council Tuesday unanimously approved the Advancing Maricopa 2026 General Plan, sending the city’s long-range vision to voters for ratification in November.

Required by state law, the general plan serves as a guiding document for the city’s growth, development and infrastructure decisions over the next decade.

Consultant Matthew Klyszeiko of Michael Baker International said residents consistently pointed to transportation, jobs, healthcare access and recreation amenities as top priorities to help advance Maricopa.

“[This plan] is not about supporting a bedroom community. It’s about supporting a more dynamic community that is looking at all facets of what makes a well-rounded, enjoyable place to live,” he said.

The plan update’s broad approach drew some criticism during the public review process. Residents and some members of the Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission criticized the 223-page plan for lacking detail.

“This plan is full of great rhetoric, but light on specific results and time frames,” said Glennwilde resident Ron Angerame during an April 27 meeting.

It also pushed city council candidate James Singleton to create a 32-page response he said is meant to build on the general plan update.

Klyszeiko acknowledged the concerns but said the document “is intended to just outline … the goals and policies that the community wants to adhere to,” according to state statute.

Mayor Nancy Smith supported this statement, adding that even on topics like land use and zoning “there’s options.”

“This is just a guiding document, it’s not an edict. And I think that’s important for our residents to understand,” she said.