City Council considers zone change for Copper Sky Assisted Living facility in East Crystal

The Casa Grande City Council convened on April 21, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, with a significant focus on a proposed zone change for the development of an assisted living facility. The meeting addressed the application for a zone change to accommodate Copper Sky Assisted Living, located on a 2-acre site at the west end of East Crystal.

The applicant seeks to change the zoning from Urban Ranch to R2 to facilitate the construction of two single-story buildings, each 9,000 square feet, designed to house 32 memory care units for senior residents. The project includes 36 parking spaces and is part of a larger development plan, with the first phase already completed to the south, which accesses Valerie Street. The second phase will utilize Bridal Street for access.

During the meeting, it was noted that the Planning Commission had previously approved a conditional use permit for this type of facility, contingent upon the zone change approval. The council was informed that the surrounding area is primarily zoned for single-family residential use, but the proposed R2 zoning aligns with the existing zoning of the first phase of the memory care development.

The council discussed recommended conditions of record, which would limit the principal uses of the property to single-family homes and allow only assisted living or nursing homes under the R2 zoning standards. This measure aims to prevent more intense developments, such as duplexes or triplexes, should the assisted living project not proceed.

The proposal was evaluated against three criteria to ensure compliance with zoning principles, emphasizing consistency with the city’s general plan. The development is seen as a beneficial use of a challenging property, as it is situated at the end of a residential subdivision and can be effectively served by municipal services.

The council will consider a final plat for the project in an upcoming meeting, marking a significant step forward in the development of this assisted living facility aimed at supporting seniors with memory challenges.