Commission Approves Half Acre Lot Rezoning in Downtown Bryce Near Floodplain

The Graham County Planning and Zoning Commission convened on July 16, 2025, to discuss several key zoning requests, including a proposal for a half-acre lot and a rezone request for a portion of land in Pima.

The first significant discussion centered on a request to reduce the minimum lot size to half an acre under the RR zoning designation. The applicant, who currently has city water but relies on a septic system, argued that the area already contains numerous half-acre lots, making the request reasonable. The commission noted that the neighborhood is predominantly zoned for half-acre minimums, which supports the applicant's case. After a brief discussion, the commission unanimously approved the motion to recommend the zoning change to the board.

The second item on the agenda involved a request from Leslie and Michael Orr to rezone a portion of their 3.5-acre property from general land use to RR single-family residential. The couple aims to create one half-acre parcel while retaining the remaining land as one-acre lots. The commission acknowledged that the property is located in a floodplain, which will require careful planning and engineering to ensure compliance with FEMA regulations. Despite the floodplain concerns, the commission expressed support for the request, emphasizing the need for adequate space for septic systems in the flood-prone area.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to adapt zoning regulations to meet community needs while addressing environmental considerations. The commission's recommendations will now proceed to the board for final approval.