Apache Junction city council on Oct. 7 adopted Ordinance No. 15-67 to rezone a property at 282 North Palo Verde Drive from medium-density single-family zoning (RS-10M) to high-density multiple-family by planned development (RM-1 PD), clearing the way for a fourplex and other site improvements.

The ordinance, requested by Hermelina Properties LLC, includes a minor general-plan amendment changing the land-use designation from medium-density residential to high-density residential. Senior planner Nick Leftwich described the site as approximately 0.62 net acres with existing multifamily use predating city incorporation; the property currently contains five units and the proposal would add a new fourplex to bring the total to eight units.

Why it matters: The rezoning regularizes a legal nonconforming use, allows modest density increase and requires exterior improvements, parking and a privacy wall. The change also requires site upgrades including landscaping, formalized parking and dark-sky-compliant lighting as included in the developer’s plan.

What staff and applicant said
Nick Leftwich, senior planner, told council the property has historically operated as multifamily housing and that the plan development process is the appropriate route to address nonconformities and setbacks while permitting the modest density increase. The application was revised after neighborhood outreach earlier in the year; changes included a reduced density option, additional setbacks and an eight-foot screen wall along the long property edge to address neighbor concerns.

Giselle, the applicant’s representative, said the proposal would replace an older west-most building (Unit A) with a new four-unit building and modernize aging site elements; the plan provides 12 on-site parking spaces and landscaping consistent with city suggestions.

Council action and votes
The council first voted to read Ordinance No. 15-67 by title only and waive full reading; that motion passed unanimously. A subsequent motion to approve and adopt Ordinance No. 15-67 also passed unanimously. The planning commission had recommended approval (6–0) on Aug. 26, 2025, subject to conditions in the staff report.

Key site details and conditions
- Address: 282 North Palo Verde Drive.
- Parcel size: approximately 0.62 net acres.
- Existing units: five (two duplexes and a converted 1934 structure).
- Proposed units: eight total (adding a fourplex in place of the west-most building).
- Zoning change: RS-10M → RM-1 PD; minor general-plan amendment to high-density residential.
- Community accommodations: applicant agreed to an 8-foot privacy wall, dark-sky lighting and landscaping upgrades.

Ending
Ordinance No. 15-67 formalizes the rezoning and the minor plan amendment; staff will work with the applicant on final engineering, permits and conditions of approval set out in the staff report.