[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6607046,"mediaKeyId","2956597-da2582fdcf136aeee935bac8ba04102c","parentId",2956597,"title","Planning staff reports administrative approvals and permit activity; 114 residential permits approved last month","audioSeconds",135,"startMs",2217000,"endMs",2352000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956597-da2582fdcf136aeee935bac8ba04102c&start=2217&end=2352","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956597-da2582fdcf136aeee935bac8ba04102c/thumbnail_2217000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6607046/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Planning-staff-reports-administrative-approvals-and-permit-activity-114-residential-permits-approved-last-month","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607046-50ebd72f293f256b7d77210d2d315757/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100241&Signature=FfWsI8gSUDLhO7SVmfMojjhzh-jrH46-wRUkdy5TU8~EPCfpxImTPUh6LQsy7oFVOJzN6epfmzlMYtrU6kgSpQHLsR-aauyWJSnIC4zoHebKgDrDuH7BMBXrjcjZNnKEDl2D-n3PcQFAGdHjUeiiRkL-zgaTB6BXuaaopB6Ve7zqLnxrHe84e7sbN2dRhKkSa-x6A~NtuoFoEnEvuclg~GKS-m99wo07oXi6r1~qT2ddHQ-B52LI6MGGjMBH~fulpMWYBzcJSQPyz5~gLCxEbk2p-h88Sy7fIZ8kvTg4SDjb1yc9X6XDQsnJBxdt2tjTdVN9r20suDzD9JhiQLI2zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Queen Creek","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","Planning staff provided the commission an “activity update” summarizing recent administrative approvals, staff decisions and building-permit activity.

Planning staff member Eric Swanson said several items were reviewed and approved administratively (not requiring commission action) including Mountainside Fitness at the Vineyard development near Sprouts and Target, a daycare facility and inline shops at Heritage Town Square, and a redevelopment proposal for Horizon Irrigation east of the railroad tracks on Ocotillo Road.

Swanson said the development community values administrative approvals because they expedite process and keep projects moving. He also reported that in the past month the town approved 114 residential permits.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the site layout at the Mountainside Fitness location and about an agritainment conversion for Desert Horizon; staff said they expect a resubmittal later in the week for that application.

No public comment was taken and no action was required at the work study session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Queen Creek - Planning & Zoning Commission - Apr 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented recent administrative approvals and reported 114 residential permits issued in the past month, and summarized several staff‑approved commercial and redevelopment items that do not require commission review.","taxTitle","Queen Creek, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2212,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6607051,"Planning manager: Box Canyon developer ready to move forward; town outlines passive park plan for former landfill",136,2030000,2166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956597-da2582fdcf136aeee935bac8ba04102c&start=2030&end=2166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956597-da2582fdcf136aeee935bac8ba04102c/thumbnail_2030000.jpg","/articles/6607051/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Planning-manager-Box-Canyon-developer-ready-to-move-forward-town-outlines-passive-park-plan-for-former-landfill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607051-f32bc22f43cc4eb7ba8605a9bb8161ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100241&Signature=UmKsi5IOC-wYQ8~u36uZPVmu9QeaczAUHi6Sf4akWJNe4R8qckSfRAvA2mj4KrGqowmhkiTIFhqypZ3AIdPXjANOVkF71QuJMjpZDwc1AZOyhaMZoM~E1DO9T1HgxpFFWSuVmYUlw-SiguGu8BujFcLuf6wHRQXyesKzwDAcqGYXhweSiQNyQxYo-r1fOBSda49EoGRtmH0PRJLkDVKsWCiC6ZdGYJeMPMjAPxZ12kEsrIcKLjZqCOM5x2wodGR6nWBcfonJKnXhBJhpvZzMy5HW-R~Ogcec8Sn1srblsfPg2Hi0RaUuky0Swyf89zDE6fjZGPZPLH84PGpEW1jzEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the work study session, the town’s planning manager provided updates on Box Canyon and on a former inert landfill site the town acquired for a future passive park.

The planning manager said Box Canyon already has zoning and a development agreement and that the approvals were completed in prior years. “We have a development agreement with that developer, and they already have zoning,” he said, and added the developer expects to move forward and will submit a preliminary plat that will finalize subdivision design.

Staff said the town’s immediate tasks for Box Canyon are to extend utilities and ensure the arterial road (Power Road) and other infrastructure are prepared to accommodate the development. The manager said Box Canyon was approved in 2016 and that the site is effectively ready to begin construction once utilities and arterial improvements are in place.

On the former inert landfill (referred to in staff remarks as Paul’s Park or the Pit Park), staff said the town acquired roughly 50 acres north of the Olive Mill property and envisions a passive water-recharge park adjacent to the Queen Creek Wash. The town also has an agreement with a private developer (the Bosma property) to purchase 30 acres for a community park across the street, creating a potential connected park complex.

The planning manager described the passive park as a low‑intensity facility focused on water recharge and open-space connectivity; design work is preliminary and staff said they will share progress with the commission as it develops. There was no action taken at the meeting.

Staff comments positioned utilities, road capacity and developer-prepared preliminary plats as the next steps before construction begins at Box Canyon; the passive park will proceed through design and coordination with adjacent parcel acquisitions.","Planning manager said Box Canyon has zoning and a development agreement and will require utility and arterial upgrades; staff also described acquisition and preliminary plans for a 50‑acre passive water recharge park on a former inert landfill adjacent to a proposed 30‑acre community park.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6607056,"Queen Creek staff previews 2028 general plan update, schedule and added elements",669,1185000,1854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956597-da2582fdcf136aeee935bac8ba04102c&start=1185&end=1854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956597-da2582fdcf136aeee935bac8ba04102c/thumbnail_1185000.jpg","/articles/6607056/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Queen-Creek-staff-previews-2028-general-plan-update-schedule-and-added-elements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607056-e44614ecdbffc135c9589b2d834b108e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100241&Signature=nyUEsKQDCJNn-1GMvADSdlxpBqXZChRU3zoB3LwFUcYVQcGB-Z1P2YGxBJ65HKyDwQp7ZrgzIC57F31IB4K28S-H-vWHHP3r4iQLpV3egY1nyDSHkSeElpJJTaeZJoMOtyQK3oevNe~zKhCzCa6RnkrGkM3EIgFsdOAJtv5Y9apoWUMhIA2nEOKwjUtpzVOhLNu80vPKiVLwDr0EF7ZVL7-KcbbPnt-VgPPcIc2K0d-9vpjuYgYdpRxi4-WHs3XpTk1t4ofGERng8YyJVHcsWeKba2HwHT5d7oZ4lEYj-qERJCmzJbv73kqBYTTUACMfdpclxxujWM6~0Te-cXBp-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sarah Clark of the Development Services Department told the Planning and Zoning Commission the town will begin work on a 2028 General Plan update that will expand required elements because Queen Creek’s population has increased since the last plan.

Clark said the general plan “provides the framework for decision making for the town and guiding its future growth,” and described elements (chapters) such as land use, circulation, open space, housing and safety that together shape development review and policy.

Clark noted the town’s population was “just under 50,000” at the last update and that the town now approaches 80,000 residents, which triggers additional elements under state statute. She said the 2028 cycle will expand or add items including transportation, housing, public safety, public service and facilities, conservation and redevelopment, bicycling and energy chapters among others.

On timing, Clark said staff requested a consultant and, subject to council budget approval, will start an RFP process in mid-2025 and expects the plan development phase between December 2025 and July 2027. Her slide set listed an anticipated council vote in July 2027 and a voter ratification election between November 2027 and March 2028.

Clark described a broad outreach program that will include open houses, social media outreach, online engagement, stakeholder meetings, focus groups and meetings with town committees and commissions. She told commissioners they will meet regularly in monthly work study sessions and act as liaisons to encourage public participation.

Clark said the general plan is ultimately approved by council and must be ratified by voters; she reminded the commission the 2018 general plan was ratified by voters with roughly an 84% approval rate. She also explained how the land use map functions as a tool to guide which zoning districts and development types are appropriate for different parts of town.

Staff cautioned that state legislative changes on housing, including discussions about “missing middle housing,” will present challenges during the update and must be considered in mapping and policies. Clark said other town departments (transportation, parks, police, fire) are preparing master plans that will feed into the general plan update.

Commissioners asked questions about statutory guidance and specific project areas during the presentation. There was no public comment and no action taken at the work study session.","Development Services staff described the scope and timeline for a 2028 general plan update, explaining statutory element requirements triggered by population growth, an outreach program for residents, and an anticipated council and voter timeline for adoption and ratification.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6607061,"Queen Creek officials outline downtown core projects, new restaurants and town-owned development site",492,560000,1052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956597-da2582fdcf136aeee935bac8ba04102c&start=560&end=1052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956597-da2582fdcf136aeee935bac8ba04102c/thumbnail_560000.jpg","/articles/6607061/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Queen-Creek-officials-outline-downtown-core-projects-new-restaurants-and-town-owned-development-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607061-b0b0394927c013a9483a9f0b51249aad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100241&Signature=TPpB0NiXAmQRf-ySRvuzS-8Ed4kCUCRth6Raxrq2ONaxD5pqqRrSA-ixSx4hHHQVasBM6CFPuAWFpd65olQvzyHNZQDdcdYUShTBjxbDo83Wb9jMZx04QRV9xdcywdoflp5r~BL~IsP5FWbRHhtTGwQsawq5-ONDAaPEjpvEWfH83Q-Gh0o4WFAEimAnJ864x~PCN~PZZzYZPLQ1chFZzkels-J4ab25lMoa3a31wdxw~8-zF8CHAFONK0VEDR84SGq41b34W7KIIL~92TeLXlLwHSU2h-arN~wMCKe0TgKz7eGQBLTbw5B~BmOCVcUqN0M~EtVZQ7F4Iyp6m5q2kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Queen Creek economic development staff on Tuesday updated the Planning and Zoning Commission on downtown redevelopment work, including recently opened connector streets, temporary event space, several incoming restaurants and a town-owned parcel the town intends to market for private development when council directs.

The update, delivered by Economic Development Director Doreen Cott, said the town’s earlier 2017 town-center planning work narrowed focus to a more walkable downtown core and that recent infrastructure investments are creating that pattern on the ground. “When we updated that plan, we realized that the larger town center had really developed and we wanted to focus in on more of that walkable downtown,” Cott said.

Cott described three new connector roadways — Munoz, Summers Place and Aldecoa — that link Old Ellsworth Road to the Loop and create smaller, walkable blocks. Summers Place is being used as a temporary roadway while the town prepares an RFP for the town-owned land between the two new streets. Town staff have striped the site to host special events; the Feast of All moved to the new location last Friday and the promoter hopes to return weekly, with a possible Saturday market.

Cott said several private projects are moving forward near the downtown core. Badlands Bar and Grill has opened in a building that previously housed Lone Star and Queen Creek Café. A tenant known as the Sacred Pint is undergoing tenant improvements to become a taproom operated by the owners of Old Ellsworth Broom Company; Cott said “there won’t be a kitchen” at that location but patrons can order food from other local restaurants.

Cott also described a two-story restaurant-and-brewery project called Perch, led by a developer who previously operates in Chandler. The developer has pulled permits and is finalizing financing; Cott said financing has slowed several projects but she expects vertical construction “in the next few weeks” once financing completes. She said the Perch project includes ancillary retail and restaurant space and that the developer has discussed possible uses such as a steak house, a speakeasy and an ax-throwing venue, although those uses were not finalized.

The town closed a real-estate transaction last week on a mixed-use project west of the library and adjacent parcels along Ocotillo, Cott said. That mixed-use project will include luxury multifamily (for rent and product), professional office, and restaurant and retail spaces; Cott identified three confirmed restaurant tenants for that site as Snooze, Postino’s and Shake Shack.

Cott also updated commissioners on other hospitality projects: a previously proposed teppanyaki project at the former mission market site is under new consideration by a developer proposing a “Rusty Buckle Saloon” concept; and a Homewood Suites hotel project on a town-owned parcel north of the downtown core has closed but not yet broken ground while the developer finalizes an SBA loan.

Cott said the town is being deliberate about issuing an RFP for the town‑owned land between Munoz and Aldecoa: “We don’t want to rush anything. We want to make sure that we do it right,” she said, noting other pipeline projects the town is tracking before soliciting development proposals.

Commissioners thanked staff for the update; there was no public comment and no formal action at the work study session.

Less urgent implementation details discussed included temporary event infrastructure (striping and staging for weekly events), the town-owned parcel that will be marketed via RFP at council direction, and ongoing developer financing as the principal constraint on construction timing.

Community members and commissioners will see subsequent project-level applications and permits as the private developers submit plans and as council provides direction on issuance of any RFP for town-owned land.","Economic development staff told the Planning and Zoning Commission the town’s downtown core has new connector roads, event-ready public space and several incoming restaurants and mixed-use projects; town-owned land between new roadways will be marketed by RFP when council directs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning staff reports administrative approvals and permit activity; 114 residential permits approved last month

Planning manager: Box Canyon developer ready to move forward; town outlines passive park plan for former landfill

Queen Creek staff previews 2028 general plan update, schedule and added elements

Queen Creek officials outline downtown core projects, new restaurants and town-owned development site