The Town of Florence Planning and Zoning Commission voted to forward a recommendation of approval, with conditions, for a minor general plan amendment that would allow a rock retail and landscaping materials operation (MDI Rock Products) at the southwest corner of Attaway Road and Arizona Farms Road. Commissioner Pro made the motion; Commissioner Wooley seconded and the commission voted in favor.

Planning staff described the site as currently designated “suburban neighborhood” on the general plan but physically used for heavier, industrial‑type activities; the applicant and staff said the revision is minor (site is under the acreage threshold for a major amendment) and would align the land use with nearby industrial and commercial conversions. Attorney Taylor Earl, representing the applicant, said the intended use is a retail landscape materials yard selling decomposed granite, CMU block and similar materials and that the site’s proximity to a rail line and planned major roadways supports an employment‑oriented designation.

Nearby property owner Vincent Dobson testified in person and asked whether the use would include on‑site commercial rock crushing. He warned about noise and called out health concerns over silica dust, saying, “silica dust from granite, if inhaled, is very toxic for your lungs and your overall health.” Dobson asked that rock crushing be prohibited if the use is approved. Commissioners and the applicant agreed that specifics about crushing, processing and mitigation measures will be addressed during the rezoning and site plan review; the applicant’s attorney said the zoning/site‑plan stage is where equipment, buffering, and stipulations would be clarified.

Commissioners also pressed the applicant on truck traffic and road impacts. A commissioner noted the applicant’s packet stated product could arrive by rail to reduce truck miles, but questioned that the site is not on a railhead and that heavy‑truck mileage on local streets would still cause pavement damage. The applicant replied that rail deliveries can reduce broader truck miles even if trucks move product the final mile, and that infrastructure and roadway mitigation (dedications, turn lanes, deceleration lanes) will be addressed in rezoning and site plan conditions.

Staff and the applicant confirmed that a rezoning application will be required before operations begin and that conditions of approval at that later stage can prohibit crushing or require mitigation; the commission’s action tonight was a recommendation on the minor general plan amendment (case PZ25‑72) to allow the land‑use change. The record shows the applicant (MDI Rock) has other Arizona operations and the applicant team noted a long operating history.