[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6509937,"mediaKeyId","5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050","parentId",5418594,"title","State’s Ag‑to‑Urban law could unlock development credit in Queen Creek; council hears implementation plan","audioSeconds",1491,"startMs",6067000,"endMs",7558000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050&start=6067&end=7558","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050/thumbnail_6067000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6509937/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/States-AgtoUrban-law-could-unlock-development-credit-in-Queen-Creek-council-hears-implementation-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509937-4fce6a1c09dd0630ee117cacc00b7ccd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187240&Signature=d0gR-AWrh1904c8Z3kksAPiOsBM70Cvc0tQBm6KLyD2Hl6dD0nJ97hNUw7QSFvGksQVGZZAcHLoyvEboqPgxC8kVZhVStkLvlVhjqD4npazsqjFQ0NlfFHwGap1skZtEL5INoybpFwdD~i2zq5BFrmH9F0cd9LPubzULj~EyNWDR3gMq2XoGqXIqM~2-ELR-PaJ~T0IXZeDkH1DgjjxhVO4dsvAQRApo~WLWQD52sKxwXiqrUAQRRW5i-eCa4HbSiTj0TxNq53T-hZNV24ZsGMDk4HkdyNwCQ9S5Y~seJDVxNC6xyI3HAew2IpooFOvtzbyTRaaAsmGef2dRXbVWBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Queen Creek","date","2025-07-16T00:00:00Z","article","Town staff briefed the council on Senate Bill 1611, the Ag‑to‑Urban legislation signed June 30, 2025, which creates a state program allowing owners of irrigated agricultural land to relinquish irrigated rights in exchange for groundwater‑savings credits that can be pledged to obtain certificates of assured water supply for residential development.

Intergovernmental Relations Director Heather Wilkie and Utilities Director Mark Skocific explained the program’s main features and how Queen Creek property owners might participate. Wilkie said the town has identified about 4,210 acres (light green on the town map presented) that could be eligible — roughly 60% of the town’s undeveloped lands excluding state trust land and certain other areas. Eligibility requires the land to have been irrigated in at least three of the last five years. Under the law, eligible applicants receive a groundwater savings credit of 1.5 (acre‑feet) for every acre relinquished; applicants must also enroll in the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) for replenishment and file a real estate report with the Department of Water Resources (ADWR).

Wilkie said the program becomes effective Sept. 26, 2025, allowing applications to ADWR while ADWR adopts program rules (required by June 30, 2026). She described the program as available to Queen Creek landowners for five years, or up to 10 years if the town becomes a designated water provider under the law. Town staff and consultants also worked with ADWR to update the agency’s groundwater demand calculator as part of negotiations on the bill.

Mark Skocific said staff is preparing program administration materials and aims to provide a draft town process for council review in mid‑September. Staff emphasized they plan to identify all eligible properties and provide assistance to property owners of varying levels of experience so they can participate in an orderly way. Skocific estimated the program implementation and hydrology study steps could take six to nine months, with first development projects from the program appearing in 24–36 months and construction beginning thereafter.

Conservation measures included in the legislation limit the town’s ability to require certain landscaping and turf minimums on Ag‑to‑Urban properties; the presentation said those preemptions apply only to properties that use the program. Town staff noted the town preserved its lake program supported by community effluent and said school and recreational turfs were preserved as allowed uses for turf exceptions.

No council action was required; council members thanked staff and staff said they will return with an administrative approach and outreach plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Queen Creek - Town Council Regular Session - Jul 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town staff outlined implementation steps for Senate Bill 1611 (Ag‑to‑Urban), saying about 4,210 acres in Queen Creek may be eligible to convert irrigated farmland to residential development through state groundwater‑savings credits.","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},6509942,"Queen Creek unveils draft tourism strategic plan prioritizing agritainment, careful growth and measurable goals",1075,4944000,6019000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050&start=4944&end=6019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050/thumbnail_4944000.jpg","/articles/6509942/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Queen-Creek-unveils-draft-tourism-strategic-plan-prioritizing-agritainment-careful-growth-and-measurable-goals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509942-49001fbea09facc399444646bef7bc2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187240&Signature=j97~U3rsNpjiUErzAJL8bWs-VGce7sgmliW1rMx0h4MGNC1VqCQmODVSerNQn1JiQzZdNDTzWoPycK7pyf5O4pDUXBpAPJqDEN3KUE4YQNfSnOYiAVksJvayW0NjFwZh8CFtLeCH8yxbL-vOESNja0~KXW14caHcsh53jm3jdQYA0j0AYjGAXyTOx5XFzJNEY5JLIgYih-5zdUZP0zvCA6t3V79M9NBj92zI5sBdIFa~fQp7zK0-~eXTFjkWG-aNcglOv6SVJHbwzsICD4NpVqQAPal62TqMz~o9syVx-uITEy2m-VtCSRjYkLMP8sTmq1Dn8BRQl4JBTZenSfWCnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff and consultant Coraggio Group presented a draft tourism strategic plan that recommends branding Queen Creek as an agritainment‑focused destination and establishing measurable objectives and initiatives through 2027.

Economic Development Director Doreen Cott summarized the town’s past year of work to build a tourism program, noting the town’s formal designation as the destination marketing organization, applications for state cooperative grants, partnerships with local agritainment sites and a continuing focus on a modest, targeted approach to tourism. She said a Dean Runyan economic impact analysis showed visitor spending in Queen Creek totaled roughly $86.2 million in 2023, up about 30% from the prior year, and overnight visitors increased to nearly 160,000.

Colleen Floyd of Coraggio Group, the project consultant, described the stakeholder outreach that informed the plan: an online survey, interviews, focus groups and planning sessions with residents, agritourism operators, elected officials and partners. She said stakeholders emphasized preserving Queen Creek’s agricultural and equestrian heritage, protecting the town’s small‑town character and coordinating partnerships and infrastructure to support growth.

The draft plan centers a one‑page strategic framework: a vision to be “the agritainment capital of the world,” a mission to promote the destination for residents and local businesses through marketing and partnerships, and four goals that include establishing the tourism program, crafting a destination identity, encouraging festivals and events and implementing a collective marketing strategy. The plan identifies quarterly and annual metrics and a set of initiatives the town would pursue through 2027.

No formal council action was required; staff said they will present a final plan for council approval at a subsequent meeting after committee review. Council members praised the one‑page format and cited the plan’s potential to support the local economy while protecting community character.","Town staff and consultants presented a draft tourism strategic plan that positions Queen Creek as an agritainment destination, recommends establishing the town as the destination marketing organization and sets four strategic goals through 2027. The plan highlights a 30% year‑over‑year increase in visitor spending to roughly $86 million in 2023.",{"_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},6509947,"Banner Ironwood tells Queen Creek council it will add 30,000 sq ft, cath lab and expand ER to 49 beds",276,1020000,1296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050&start=1020&end=1296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050/thumbnail_1020000.jpg","/articles/6509947/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Banner-Ironwood-tells-Queen-Creek-council-it-will-add-30000-sq-ft-cath-lab-and-expand-ER-to-49-beds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509947-ac95f30a9399a264ddd78325bc8441e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187240&Signature=o7YT7R9GrdTtsdDYuvaY08h7Ip8AyXCGFzAgegqbZ~d8M363dEfLR1uOFvPyoPqIEw5mFU8F4uKG4RnG~BrbJzq-0OenSaWCGrY4I4zrP4fsIpCyYe4vd5kU-dUD4VF1IjtxECzPuZsFtlEVWiqSueMjtpFoYXFskW1oKQmKOzbSPaKX89a0Y2wpUutCJjO0KoMmh08Y-SeCjXhhi1IiRvBP-jMLQkcBFSbGOKwfi~lIwk959jTQOMpCtPtdJK3BblhWLFA8Toad8w0OV5XqTbIJzilmLh2MDDE6Mn411EIxn3jWKAl2-UOoL0bW4UjjBGT9VccVqAes9gwqUdpDUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Banner Ironwood Medical Center will add approximately 30,000 square feet to its Queen Creek campus, expand emergency department capacity and build a cardiac catheterization lab, the hospital’s CEO told the Town Council.

Brian Keller, CEO of Banner Ironwood Medical Center, said the expansion will increase the emergency department from the current 34 beds by about 15 additional beds (to 49), add roughly 10,000 square feet for ED expansion and about 1,000 square feet for an expanded waiting area, and increase ED‑adjacent parking by about 80 spaces. Keller said the project will include a cardiac catheterization lab and shell space for a second lab and additional imaging suites; it will require hiring dozens of clinical and support staff, including cardiologists and cath‑lab nurses and technicians.

Why it matters: The expansion would bring more emergency and routine cardiac services to the Queen Creek area so that residents no longer need transport outside the community for those services, according to Keller. He said the hospital expects to begin design and permitting in roughly six months and anticipates completion in early 2027 while keeping the existing ED in operation during construction.

Keller said Banner had finished the initially shelled space from the 2010 opening and wanted the council to hear about the expansion before permit filings. He emphasized local hiring and the addition of specialty clinical services. Council members and the mayor thanked Keller for the update and expressed interest in future renderings and a ribbon‑cutting.

No formal action was taken; the item was an informational update from an outside organization.","Banner Ironwood Medical Center CEO told the council the hospital plans a roughly 30,000‑square‑foot expansion to add cardiac catheterization capabilities, expand the emergency department capacity from 34 to 49 beds and increase parking by about 80 spaces; construction is expected to complete in early 2027, the CEO said.",{"_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},6509952,"Queen Creek council approves 15% water rate increase after outreach; residential bills to rise roughly $3–$6 per month",1231,3734000,4965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050&start=3734&end=4965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050/thumbnail_3734000.jpg","/articles/6509952/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Queen-Creek-council-approves-15-water-rate-increase-after-outreach-residential-bills-to-rise-roughly-36-per-month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509952-536bad7c585a4bdfbdf1f5ce0cf2b345/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187241&Signature=agSR5edM~3qgItqaFkB6ywhaQ4EtzWlfndORXbUIXgO77dfjUQ5J2zm62DNvGMWFjTv0T6ENiESjJ2qmib8hoXlbw6O6SQvz8YCcobhDhrPIilb861QW2~qrmsqagA8CamK9I8NOeACov~zDFCQQLhOmMAkt~MLIZ-BWT35Bm439KKWsmVqRSIuZzXPY4PZA206borT2NJDdYpjRqSnuZBeB228U22h3bxOnDPBcC~a-FF6aScf5CAQPyfTR0KG0WZpjfgrhE7I0CbvXlPyT8x85hpqNdvVfmB70~0AERaw9kKu90oz6qEpeJ6EbBO9zX8dCwlGMLrq~vy8Pr~kgEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council voted unanimously to approve a 15% increase in water rates that town officials said is needed to pay rising costs for infrastructure, operations and supplies.

Deputy Town Manager and CFO Scott McCarty and communications staff outlined the multimonth process and public outreach before the vote, noting that the town has about 42,000 water accounts and the rate increase would generate about $4.3 million in additional annual utility revenue. Staff said roughly $3 million of that increase would come from single‑family residential accounts (about 40,000 accounts).

Why it matters: The water utility is operated as an enterprise fund separate from the town’s general revenue. Staff said revenues pay for electricity, maintenance, replacement, and new construction for the water utility; they said the utility does not make a profit and the rate is designed to cover costs and planned capital needs.

Town staff presented examples to make the change tangible: for an average single‑family residential account, monthly bills would increase about $3 in low‑use months and about $6 in high‑use summer months — roughly $58 annually in the example. Staff also noted that the town’s work to reduce groundwater replenishment district (CAGRD) assessments over prior years offsets some customer impacts and that for many customers the combined effect (rate increase plus past reductions) keeps their total water‑related costs lower than several years ago.

The council conducted a formal public hearing before voting. Scott McCarty outlined procedural steps and the schedule for when new rates will begin to appear on bills: if approved, a 30‑day waiting period is required after adoption and billing cycles mean the new rates will appear on bills in the late summer/early fall billing cycles.

Public comment included opposition from Michael McAllister, a customer who lives in San Tan Valley and said fixed‑income and stretched households will feel the change and that homeowners associations may pass costs on to residents. McAllister said, “I totally understand the need to maintain infrastructure … but this increase is a heavy burden, especially for those on fixed incomes.”

Council members noted the long gap since the town last raised rates: staff said the utility’s last rate change was in 2010. Council discussion emphasized the separate enterprise nature of the utility fund (water costs and revenues are kept separate from the town’s general fund), the need to cover rising costs for renewable water supply and infrastructure, and the outreach the town undertook (a dedicated web page with an interactive bill calculator, emails, press releases, presentations, HOA and school outreach and more). Communications reported more than 5,000 views of the dedicated landing page and roughly 14,000 social impressions on outreach posts.

Motion and vote: Council Member Brown moved to approve the rate adoption resolution (public hearing item 9B); Council Member Benning seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Clarifying details: the town identified roughly 42,000 billed water accounts (about 40,000 single‑family residential), projected additional utility revenue of about $4.3 million, residential monthly increases of roughly $3–$6 depending on season, and examples showing some customers’ combined bills (water plus prior CAGRD reductions) remain below prior years’ totals. Staff noted a 30‑day waiting period and staggered billing cycles that delay full implementation until bills generated later in the summer and fall.","After a public hearing and months of outreach, the Queen Creek Town Council unanimously approved a 15% increase to water rates intended to cover utility operating costs, infrastructure and replenishment needs. Town staff said the change will raise utility revenue by about $4.3 million and affect roughly 42,000 accounts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6509957,"Queen Creek council approves conditional-use permit for stock-dog trials, sheep breeding on 5-acre property",1649,1415000,3064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050&start=1415&end=3064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418594-0fdb8766738d09aab8e82a0c9d7f4050/thumbnail_1415000.jpg","/articles/6509957/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Queen-Creek-council-approves-conditional-use-permit-for-stock-dog-trials-sheep-breeding-on-5-acre-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509957-979a0027f7cdbcefc83b7e44ff396946/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187241&Signature=nzU--DbBsm5BrdZY07SFCpmoP8hrZ5hg3hIkeA9svFv4G2PAxapVKotcoTh53u1bGCTSEnZ3tTXUSu~iFtQ0w71xbpa8VjZeIYUQXou-g21SZMLScgMYCJVtzYbJG5Z8-92a0irieQGFsG-zl5JLaKCbyIv547MxDtzx6T0rlLWa7zIdNVgyBone9GrEyLStvar-UqF5A1JEDcMCRig6ZcYZYaZUVWUfhGP4AbayXnEBP6xmoLFP0fGfZytkw3cjrQNtJ~Wk0sfpFm80DDeizZx~OLIKBRGCZmjv6PL2J99-KVdMEwsJXFltKY3go5sr8q8h~HmNQOQ~swrsNdHpBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Queen Creek Town Council voted unanimously to approve a conditional‑use permit allowing stock‑dog trial events and continued livestock operations on a 5‑acre property in the Ellsworth Mini Farms neighborhood.

The permit, requested by property owners Dan and Diane Sanderson, covers up to six stock‑dog trial events per season (November–March), one‑to‑three days in duration and attracting about 30–40 people per event, and continued year‑round breeding of Saint Croix sheep. Planning staff told the council the property exceeded the town’s livestock limits and a conditional‑use permit was required after an earlier code complaint about dust.

The council’s decision followed a multi‑stage review: a neighborhood meeting on May 27 with roughly 35 attendees, a unanimous Planning Commission recommendation June 11, a presentation by Principal Planner Les Johnson and a presentation by the applicants. Supporters from the neighborhood described the operations as well‑run and minimally disruptive. Residents who spoke in favor included former Mayor Wendy Feldman Kerr and neighbors Trevor Forbus, Al Weiss and Ruben Valenzuela. The council recorded no opposing votes.

Why it matters: The permit formalizes an agritainment activity — stock‑dog trials and sheep breeding — tied to Queen Creek’s agricultural character while imposing conditions aimed at limiting impacts on adjacent properties.

Planning staff said the property is in the R‑1‑43 zoning district and that the request was for a conditional‑use permit specific to the property’s agricultural and event activities. Les Johnson, principal planner, told council that event parking is managed on site and through a written agreement with a neighbor to the east to use additional parking when needed.

Applicant Dan Sanderson described the operation as a preservation‑oriented breeding and dog‑training activity. “We absolutely did not know we were in violation of anything until we were informed, and so now we're trying to make it right,” Sanderson told the council. He described the animals, including Saint Croix sheep (he said there are under 10,000 of that breed worldwide) and seasonal use of ducks and young cattle for trials. He also described mitigation steps already taken: planting 117 feet of bamboo as a wind and dust barrier and reapplying a polymer dust inhibitor (K‑31) to exposed surfaces.

Several neighbors testified in support. Trevor Forbus said the events are “quiet, organized, and clean,” adding that his family allows their children to play outside during events and has not experienced noise or safety issues. Former Mayor Wendy Feldman Kerr said she toured the property and found it “well taken care of” and recommended approval.

Council discussion emphasized that the applicants engaged with staff and neighbors to address the single dust complaint and that the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval. Council Member Brown made the motion to approve; Council Member Benning seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The council’s approval includes the conditions and operational limits described in staff’s report and reflected in the permit; staff and the applicants told the council they would return to council if further modifications were necessary.

Clarifying details: the site is about 5 acres; stock‑dog trials run 1–3 days and up to six times a season (November–March); estimated event attendance is 30–40 people per event; the property currently houses roughly 70 recently weaned cattle used for events and a comparable number of Saint Croix sheep kept year‑round; bamboo plantings (117 feet) and reapplication of K‑31 dust inhibitor were cited as mitigation steps.","The Queen Creek Town Council unanimously approved a conditional-use permit allowing Dan and Diane Sanderson to continue seasonal stock‑dog trials and year‑round Saint Croix sheep breeding on a 5-acre property in the Ellsworth Mini Farms neighborhood after neighbors, staff and the applicant agreed on dust-mitigation measures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State’s Ag‑to‑Urban law could unlock development credit in Queen Creek; council hears implementation plan

Queen Creek unveils draft tourism strategic plan prioritizing agritainment, careful growth and measurable goals

Banner Ironwood tells Queen Creek council it will add 30,000 sq ft, cath lab and expand ER to 49 beds

Queen Creek council approves 15% water rate increase after outreach; residential bills to rise roughly $3–$6 per month

Queen Creek council approves conditional-use permit for stock-dog trials, sheep breeding on 5-acre property