1.5.2 Discussion, Goals and Policies

Surprise General Plan 2030 is a guide for decision-making that identifies a desired level of commitment toward achieving community goals. Within each element is a section that describes the issues, sets goals, and provides policy direction. See Figure 1.0C.

A Discussion section is provided explaining the context in which goals and policies have been made, reasons for those decisions, and how the goals and policies are related. The discussion portions of the plan do not establish or modify policies, but they may help to interpret policies.

The Goal section gives direction to the plan as a whole. Goals are concerned with the long term, and often describe ideal situations that would result if all plan purposes were fully realized. Since goals are value-based, their attainment may be difficult to measure.

Figure 1.0C

Within the Policies section are broad statements that set preferred courses of action. Policies are choices made to carry out the goals in the foreseeable future. Policies need to be specific enough to help determine whether a proposed project or program would advance community values expressed in the goals. In some cases, supporting policies follow main policies. Supporting policies provide more detailed goals or objectives that relate to and expand upon the overall policies. Policies in each Surprise General Plan 2030 element are numbered (example: 1). Supporting policies are designated with numbers, with the overall policy number first and the supporting number following (example: 1.2).

Terminology and action words used in policy statements reflect varying levels of policy commitment, such as: very strong (assure, require, preserve, protect, promote); situational (consider); and fundamental commitment (encourage, foster). Verbs are intended to convey this varying level of commitment. For example, the word “support“ is generally used in policy statements to designate desired land use actions. The verb “consider” suggests conditional support, while the verbs “encourage” or “foster” describe a recommended action or condition. The verb “promote” is used in a more general way to express a strong city or agency commitment to a proposed concept, program, or activity.

Figure 1.0D