[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6066348,"mediaKeyId","3176529-8314c8ba2fae6289168a1bf9dd73b03a","parentId",3176529,"title","City shows expanded public GIS maps, permit and capital-project tools","audioSeconds",399,"startMs",1061000,"endMs",1460000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176529-8314c8ba2fae6289168a1bf9dd73b03a&start=1061&end=1460","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176529-8314c8ba2fae6289168a1bf9dd73b03a/thumbnail_1061000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6066348/Apache-Junction/Pinal-County/Arizona/City-shows-expanded-public-GIS-maps-permit-and-capital-project-tools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066348-925f5acd75832bc0aba81547707fcdf6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771029812&Signature=k9LjN5sM2Zw1yzK3ByfgsHPzehTQDqXX62CCVfhl-Ai64ldOB9K6qkLFKFKk9hcTu9HyAsAPwNycCKLF0QQ7BlzGj9pdLdw294Zkb4Bc50Dvsw7EFYH3s5eC1XWjoCzEdicxUpVKmv~-4GiJocHZDDXatrY-qAxf9FOXYFwHE7Xh8MvWPspo~q5gisCTwNYUeVE6MzVVIZRHybPlIW2Or2twzIklgLwOCWs0hinrnt5IZxwtt3coCcTzZFrPEfanx8R1iUZ3L432sDrWPPW5cQIYD~BL8Z9ov6VNYj8zXW5pNWBiwnVCBtZtiLa9sqm0TZjEAGoj--j5ygBwR9jxjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","AZ / City of Apache Junction","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","JC Kleiner, the city's GIS administrator, gave the council a demonstration of several mapping tools available to the public and to staff, and explained how the maps are updated and used in planning and permitting.

\"GIS stands for geographic information systems. It's a multidisciplinary technology... and then analyzes that information, displays it on a map to hopefully help kind of guide better decision making,\" JC Kleiner said, describing the public maps and internal applications.

Kleiner showed the public development-projects map, which links to attached documents when departments provide them; a capital improvement projects (CIP) map for fiscal year 2025 that displays project status, estimated budgets and funding sources; and an internal permit map that automatically updates biweekly from the city’s MyGov permit system on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Kleiner said the CIP map is color-coded by department and allows users to search by project name or number and view graphs of budget usage and project status.

Council members praised the transparency benefits for residents at neighborhood meetings and for customer service. City staff said the public maps are accessible from the Apache Junction homepage under Communities > Maps and GIS and that some internal applications require staff Windows credentials.

Why it matters: The tools aim to give residents and staff timely, searchable information about development, permits and capital projects, supporting accountability and planning. City staff encouraged residents to use the public maps to track projects in their neighborhoods.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Apache Junction City Council Meeting - 4/01/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city demonstrated new and updated geographic information system (GIS) tools — public maps, a capital-improvement-projects map and an internally updated permits map — aimed at transparency and staff planning.","taxTitle","Apache Junction, Pinal County, Arizona","taxId",52809,"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},6066353,"Council warned SB 1229 could limit local control over residential zoning; city official urges contact with legislators",541,1493000,2034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176529-8314c8ba2fae6289168a1bf9dd73b03a&start=1493&end=2034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176529-8314c8ba2fae6289168a1bf9dd73b03a/thumbnail_1493000.jpg","/articles/6066353/Apache-Junction/Pinal-County/Arizona/Council-warned-SB-1229-could-limit-local-control-over-residential-zoning-city-official-urges-contact-with-legislators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066353-7b1285b5e97210bf8c1695f503a3e693/orig.mp4?Expires=1771029812&Signature=aMhC6yr4fjzSJGdm6XqERtP0LvXUMk~PagohWcxDjgdbSYX28CioYYy8rX0541uos2ypzyI6Pw-zA6P2e9eyR-3hzksKdKighKsho2PSm8tJ1-MNCgCXaScXOSTJ4GUBckpllwl95kKVWgtIBTaYGvm3xJfgFdre5EIsZ70IylLzrsUmepTOte4L2WlfEH3lp4L7MPlxsFZRyTSoyh2lCTnyJisKaUcM6h~DHI3Lau-QwJqmIir77cyMaFGAK-FqUE8A4MWNtTKYLRimEh-dLOj-C-DOMVhA84URB~wG0xmX4C3WWNTEJFx7TDVAKzC~8vfaORywCEtDex6fcOH59g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rob Whistler, management analyst for the city manager's office, briefed the council on pending state legislation identified as SB 1229 and related House measures, saying the bills would significantly limit municipal control over residential zoning if enacted.

\"SB 1229 essentially greatly restricts local government's abilities to plan their own developments,\" Rob Whistler said, describing a version of the bill that would prohibit design review, prevent cities from requiring homeowners associations and set a minimum lot-size cap of 3,000 square feet in affected areas.

Whistler walked the council through 10-acre examples comparing current local zones to the bill's 3,000-square-foot lot model. Using the city's RS-GR, RS-20 and RS-7 zones as examples, he showed the bill's effect could increase theoretical housing counts on the same land markedly — one example showed 116 homes on 3,000-square-foot lots in a 10-acre site and, with accessory dwelling units (ADUs), a much larger total. Whistler also noted HB 2720's restriction on requiring off-street parking for ADUs would compound the bill's local impacts.

Whistler said the bill's population threshold was set at 70,000 in one draft — above Apache Junction's current population — but he warned earlier drafts at 30,000 could apply sooner and immediately affect the city. He said the measure had passed the state Senate and advanced from a House committee, and that negotiations were ongoing.

Council members reacted strongly. Council member Cross criticized the bill's backers and urged vigilance: \"Follow the money and you'll see where this crap is coming from, folks,\" Cross said, identifying the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona as the bill's principal sponsor according to Whistler's presentation.

Mayor Chip Wilson and other council members urged residents to contact state legislators. Mayor Wilson said residents in the mayor's district had not all expressed concern to the legislator, and he asked the public to register their views with state representatives.

Why it matters: Council members said the bill could curtail local zoning tools cities use to shape neighborhood character, infrastructure needs and parking requirements. City staff framed the measure as a direct threat to local control over housing form and public-rights decisions and urged community engagement with the legislative process.

Whistler recommended continued monitoring and noted the League of Arizona Cities had been negotiating with lawmakers; no formal council action was recorded in the transcript during the briefing.

","A city presentation on pending state legislation, SB 1229, described provisions that would cap minimum lot sizes at 3,000 square feet and restrict local design review; council members expressed concern about the bill's effects on Apache Junction and urged residents to contact state legislators.",{"_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},6066358,"Apache Junction pauses shelter intakes, plans temporary closure after rodent infestation",430,2620000,3050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176529-8314c8ba2fae6289168a1bf9dd73b03a&start=2620&end=3050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176529-8314c8ba2fae6289168a1bf9dd73b03a/thumbnail_2620000.jpg","/articles/6066358/Apache-Junction/Pinal-County/Arizona/Apache-Junction-pauses-shelter-intakes-plans-temporary-closure-after-rodent-infestation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066358-56da33cc13e76113d267382f5acbe738/orig.mp4?Expires=1771029812&Signature=EHki5EfO-F9YgbGtI3xdqKivJbewqEUUeWzUDqjzTCXTJ~4sSlhPlY971Q8JHNIJhqOi6olVuZQ8F9uhjTcPKjPArHadbtib854rVIgtXGPT4PhhQJMF0Z5nYWOBWtyYrSjW2bb2T~EqFWDGvMVQ~GVCmwKCTQHGCGgK7L2XNm1kgeKbeaFOQSPtAtL0uykShTe8MOf6KUlYpIogMjQz5tvWj8C0ve5oOEZyio3vVRLxamvWuLPJ08DgehoeUqHP-JyRNDtzK5mlpXv8EFnDfPP0JNGjn4sVp3uiDgDv81Uve4XAo9A2UZQxdiSoB8St8oBfFwOvs5XRDUfkWM0Mdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Apache Junction city officials announced on April 1 that the municipal animal control facility will temporarily stop accepting animals and will be vacated so crews can use rodenticide and perform structural repairs after an ongoing rodent infestation.

Chief Pulley, the city's police chief, told the council the problem has intensified since late 2024 and is affecting operations, infrastructure and staff safety. \"As of yesterday, we stopped intaking any animals,\" Chief Pulley said, describing daily pest-control visits, holes in drywall, chewed electrical wiring and increasing biohazard concerns.

The city said the shelter has eight full-time staff and 17 volunteers logging roughly 250–300 volunteer hours per month. Facility capacity includes 38 dog kennels and 21 cat kennels; staff reported 665 dog intakes and 412 cat intakes in the last year. Pulley said average lengths of stay have risen from about six to seven days in 2021 to nearly 23 days in 2024, which reduces turnover and available space.

Pulley outlined steps the city has taken and those planned. Public Works staff and contracted pest-control teams have been moving traps daily and performing repairs. Because dogs and cats are present, the city has not been able to use standard baiting methods in occupied areas and has tried a dehydrating agent described by staff as \"not harmful to animals,\" with only limited success. The city now plans a more aggressive approach: temporarily vacate the facility, lay approved rodenticide, remove compromised drywall and insulation, and complete repairs and rodent-proofing work.

Bridal Powell, city manager, said staff are seeking temporary housing alternatives for animals and will deploy a communications plan. Chief Pulley said the city will pursue temporary fosters and \"free adoptions\" to reduce the shelter population while remediation occurs. The city said work to design and build a longer-term replacement facility is in the capital planning program but is likely two years away.

Council members asked about employee and animal safety; Pulley said there have been no reported bite incidents from rats to employees or animals. Council members also discussed potential interim solutions including cargo containers and construction of a new, more rodent-resistant building over the longer term. City staff said cost estimates for the immediate remediation are not yet finalized but described the scope as \"a little pricey\" and suggested full replacement could be in the low millions.

Why it matters: The shelter's pause in intakes affects city animal-control services and volunteer programs, and it requires short-term rehoming and a communication effort to avoid service gaps. City staff framed the immediate work as necessary to protect employees, volunteers and animals and said a longer-term facility solution remains a budget and design priority.

City officials said they will post details of the communications plan and updates on available foster and adoption opportunities on the city's channels.

","City officials said a severe rodent infestation at the municipal animal control facility has forced a temporary halt to animal intakes and prompted plans to vacate the building for extermination and structural repairs; staff said temporary foster and free-adoption efforts are underway.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City shows expanded public GIS maps, permit and capital-project tools

Council warned SB 1229 could limit local control over residential zoning; city official urges contact with legislators

Apache Junction pauses shelter intakes, plans temporary closure after rodent infestation