Commission forwards major PUD amendment for 2,465‑acre Skyview Farms to council, adding mixed‑use districts and 100 acres of commercial

The Florence Planning & Zoning Commission on Oct. 2 voted to forward a recommendation of approval, with conditions, to the Town Council for a major amendment to the Skyview Farms planned‑unit development (PZ‑25‑206). The amendment consolidates multiple parcels (including portions of Aspen Farms and an annexation candidate) into a single amended PUD covering about 2,465 acres.

Presenters for the applicant described the amended plan as proposing roughly 9,975 residential units at a gross density of about 4 dwelling units per acre, 100 acres of mixed‑use and commercial land along Arizona Farms Road, and 80 acres of community parks. The proposal adds a mixed‑use district intended to combine higher‑density residential and commercial uses and includes a staffing agreement that at least 25% of that mixed‑use area be developed as commercial uses to avoid purely residential buildout in that district.

Project engineer Joseph Vance of Colliers Engineering and Nathan Anderson of the property owner (Le Sueur Investments) described circulation changes that realign Cooper Road as a north‑south arterial to match the town general plan, a looped collector system, and numerous pedestrian and multiuse trails including a perimeter paseo and portions of multiuse trails along the CAP Canal and Magma drainage channel.

Staff noted the amended PUD was examined by the technical advisory committee; the applicants agreed to preserve a half right‑of‑way along the northern boundary to allow access to a state land parcel and reserved a site for an emergency services station within the PUD (the town must identify funding and implement that service). The amended PUD maintains the PUD’s 13% open‑space standard and preserved development standards but consolidates and updates circulation, parks and trail systems.

Commissioners asked about stormwater and the Magma dam/channel; the applicant said a detailed drainage analysis had been completed with the entitlement application and that mitigation measures will be identified in subsequent reviews. Staff and the applicant also confirmed the annexation of the southern 200 acres must complete before council consideration.

A motion to forward a recommendation of approval with staff conditions was made by Commissioner Prull and seconded by Commissioner Woolley; the commission approved the motion by voice vote.

Next steps: the PUD amendment will go to town council for ordinance action; if council approves, later site plans, plats and infrastructure phasing proposals will specify timing, drainage and financing of required public improvements.