[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6066340,"mediaKeyId","3176536-d51cdcdc18fbfcfea1d303e6a358017b","parentId",3176536,"title","Planning commission rejects Wolf Company’s 336‑unit downtown apartment proposal after public opposition","audioSeconds",8729,"startMs",1915000,"endMs",10644000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176536-d51cdcdc18fbfcfea1d303e6a358017b&start=1915&end=10644","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176536-d51cdcdc18fbfcfea1d303e6a358017b/thumbnail_1915000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6066340/Apache-Junction/Pinal-County/Arizona/Planning-commission-rejects-Wolf-Companys-336unit-downtown-apartment-proposal-after-public-opposition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066340-ff5b4c02459530814e8268e593ce4180/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497906&Signature=XaWR8zei6TYbEKIE6WHTzJ6rPsLyOjBB739aUbsBKFM3a3FVYMfcipqKKNnIWqA1usFqamMoMmj808GeSZVIdN~25HDbIKcrfW66nBpzzDbGtBj5qGAzMONVemlG1Qb3MUu6XLMqe2tTb2bPWwQ8baDyPSuq7NCiS2E5S3RpzHL4GS3KmxgDu7qma4EgQCbjik82ckP-DKHYWrFZxdmABSy5-ErwW9JojANhKeya7MBTkN6EL7E784lqB2iF5P7zC6PNKGLFntFsUEfClN2rDPDHpsR-ltXWP4mDDcdUbNJj~jmcXyV-~EHSWJn9Od00TM5D7wYBH8wkvWaKFGYp9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","AZ / City of Apache Junction","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Planning and Zoning Commission on April 8, 2025 declined to recommend approval of conditional use permit PD-24-104-CUP, a request by the Wolf Company (represented by Gilbert Blyley/Paul Gilbert) to build a 336‑unit, three‑story multifamily rental community on about 18 acres at the northwest corner of Idaho Road and North Apache Trail.

City planner Kelsey Shatnick presented the staff analysis and said the site is zoned City Center B3 and carries a downtown mixed‑use general plan designation. The applicant proposed 14 three‑story buildings with a total of 336 units (one‑ and two‑bedroom plans ranging roughly from 750 to just over 1,000 square feet), a clubhouse, pool, dog park, usable open space, grills and covered parking. Shatnick said the project would use native, low‑water landscaping and dark‑sky‑compliant lighting; staff noted public outreach including a neighborhood meeting on December 9, 2024 and said staff supports the CUP as consistent with the general plan and downtown master plan.

Representing the applicant, attorney Paul Gilbert and Wolf Company representatives described the plan as market‑rate multifamily that aligns with multiple city plans. Gilbert said the development is an $80 million project that would provide about $3.7 million in public infrastructure improvements, and that the developer requests an administrative parking reduction of about 8.7% (proposing 684 on‑site spaces where code requires 749). The applicant said it would provide 2.4 parking spaces per unit on site and add 45 off‑street parking spaces on Plaza Drive; the project’s stated height is about 34 feet, below the 60‑foot maximum in B3 zoning.

Many nearby residents — largely from the Lost Dutchman RV Resort and properties on Plaza Drive — spoke in opposition at the public hearing. Speakers raised concerns about increased traffic (particularly exiting onto Plaza Drive and crossing North Apache Trail to reach Idaho Road or Superstition Boulevard), parking and enforcement, stormwater runoff into existing retention areas, loss of views of the Superstition Mountains, the safety of older residents and children, and the timing and representativeness of the traffic study. Several speakers said the October/December traffic counts used did not reflect higher winter/\"snowbird\" season volumes.

Commission discussion focused on conflicting city goals: the general plan’s encouragement of downtown residential density versus resident concerns about traffic, views and neighborhood compatibility. Commissioners pressed the applicant on parking math, guest parking, driveway location, traffic projections and whether the project’s rents would be affordable to local households. Staff and the applicant noted the parking analysis and traffic report had been reviewed and accepted by city engineering; the applicant acknowledged a typo in the narrative about the number of off‑street stalls and said it would be corrected.

When the commission voted on a motion to recommend approval of PD-24-104-CUP, the roll call recorded five votes against and two in favor and the motion failed. The commission clerk noted the decision may be appealed to the city council within 20 days in writing and subject to a filing fee.

Because the project would have required only a CUP (not rezoning), commissioners and the public discussed that retail or office uses allowed by right in B3 zoning could have a higher traffic impact than the proposed multifamily; the applicant argued the residential project would generate fewer peak trips than the other allowed uses. The record shows outstanding concerns about traffic circulation on Plaza Drive and North Apache Trail, runoff and view impacts; staff materials specify conditions of approval and engineering requirements would apply if the council later approves the project.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Apache Junction Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting - 4/08/2025","oneSentenceSummary","After an extended hearing and robust public comment, the Apache Junction Planning and Zoning Commission on April 8 recommended denial of conditional use permit PD-24-104-CUP for a 336‑unit, three‑story rental community; the motion failed on a 5–2 roll call against recommending approval.","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},6066345,"Planning panel approves Saguaro Smoke Shop conditional use permit at Parkway Plaza",1463,431000,1894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176536-d51cdcdc18fbfcfea1d303e6a358017b&start=431&end=1894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176536-d51cdcdc18fbfcfea1d303e6a358017b/thumbnail_431000.jpg","/articles/6066345/Apache-Junction/Pinal-County/Arizona/Planning-panel-approves-Saguaro-Smoke-Shop-conditional-use-permit-at-Parkway-Plaza","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066345-11e9d80bbef6d75b03a79b95640a8512/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497906&Signature=jPZORf5aKu7HS7naVkO7bDZcE5d6S-uz8eNJ7iJWwUbByQFf0SiB4SkoWg1M~d2FbxYbEqoNggSyUv4GxzDoZCaZCE0APSCW-lVItZqwOstBybOB4fVxESnqLLk2u3QpvdXyqKcVgOWw08XS0~cIv6~6MPNclmx7dwN7gRLTThebOGZyBLpM5ggCRiAcLI8Q2yMImPHvZCrnVJk27WZorDiY32qyA944sQ1lyqAr~2HbyyCvP16nkIXlrwFjOAN4-~UwuPUftONtgZZSbWfnZrz8NBb20p4kwANpOhpUGtchmND8EOfu4y1BaMPNvhYw1Ngo6gXs-37OQ1Plv7JhTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Apache Junction Planning and Zoning Commission on April 8, 2025 voted 5–2 to approve conditional use permit PD-25-6-CUP, allowing Saguaro Smoke Shop to operate in Units 8 and 9 at Parkway Plaza, 100 West Apache Trail.

City planner Teng Tanago presented the application and told commissioners the site is in the City Center B3 zoning district and no zoning deviations were requested. Staff recommended approval subject to the conditions in the staff report; the applicant will be required to restripe the parking in front of the units and make minor interior improvements, Tanago said. Notices were mailed to property owners within 300 feet, a sign was posted, and a neighborhood meeting on March 10 drew one supportive attendee, Tanago said. Staff also received one phone inquiry asking whether the store would sell marijuana; staff confirmed it would not.

Applicant Noah Mason told the commission Saguaro will market itself as a \"high-end\" retail smoke shop focused on education and community engagement. Mason said inventory will include Arizona-made glass, herbal vaporizers, CBD products, cigars and nicotine products that meet current regulations. He said the business will be retail only, not a lounge or dispensary; smoking on the premises will be prohibited and the operator will enforce a no‑loitering policy and post signs about the rules.

During public comment, residents raised health and safety concerns. Gordy Harter cited national smoking‑related mortality statistics and urged caution. Mara Summers urged that the applicant not be singled out because other local retailers already sell similar products.

At the commission’s fact‑finding discussion, members found roadways, parking, public facilities and services adequate for the proposed retail use; they found no expected negative impacts from odors, smoke or lighting; and they found the use compatible with surrounding retail and with the city’s general plan for the downtown mixed‑use area. A motion to approve PD-25-6-CUP passed on roll call with five votes in favor and two opposed. The commission chair noted that an aggrieved party may appeal the decision to the city council within 20 days in writing and is subject to a filing fee.

The approval carries the conditions listed in the staff report, including the required restriping and the seven specific conditions noted during the hearing. The applicant and staff said they will work with city planning to finalize the conditions and any administrative details before the business opens.","The Apache Junction Planning and Zoning Commission on April 8 approved a conditional use permit to allow Saguaro Smoke Shop to open in Units 8–9 at 100 W. Apache Trail, with conditions. The 5–2 vote followed staff recommendation and brief public comment about health concerns.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission rejects Wolf Company’s 336‑unit downtown apartment proposal after public opposition

Planning panel approves Saguaro Smoke Shop conditional use permit at Parkway Plaza