The City Plan Commission on Oct. 9 approved the Canutillo Bridal School Subdivision, a major-combination plat subdividing about 50.31 acres east of Westside Drive and south of Artcraft Road, but rejected the applicant’s request to waive construction of required sidewalks and roadway improvements along Strahan Road.

Miara Aguilar, planner with Planning and Inspections, told the commission the subdivision complies with the city’s subdivision code and the Upper Valley Plan but staff recommended denial of the exception request because Strahan Road provides an opportunity for future connectivity and sidewalks would provide a safe route to school and support the city’s Safe Routes to School Action Plan adopted by City Council in September 2024.

The applicant’s representative said the primary access for the new school will be from Upper Valley Road and that an irrigation drain along Strahan limits feasible improvements on that side. The representative said the drain will be piped and covered near the school so drop-off access will be from Upper Valley, and that portions of the site adjacent to the school will be fenced and used only for staff parking or internal circulation.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on safety for children arriving on foot from the Strahan side. Commissioner Hansen and others noted that while the main entrance will be from Upper Valley, some students and families will approach from Strahan and could be forced to walk on unpaved surfaces if a sidewalk is not provided. Planning staff reiterated the city’s emphasis on sidewalk connectivity around schools and recommended denying the exception.

The commission voted to approve the subdivision while denying the requested exception to waive the Strahan Road sidewalk and roadway improvements. The motion passed with a motion and second; no roll call was recorded in the transcript.

The approval is limited to the subdivision action. Planning staff noted building permits and site-level design (curbs, driveway locations, finished grading and pipe sizes) will be reviewed later through separate permit processes and could require adjustments to provide safe pedestrian access.

Commissioners and staff emphasized the denial was based on connectivity and safety goals and the opportunity to link to the existing Artcraft hike-and-bike trail, not on the applicant’s ability to build on the site.