Buckeye council approves minor general plan amendment to allow limited housing in very large employment zones

Buckeye City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 16 to approve a staff-initiated minor amendment to the city—s general plan to permit consideration of limited residential uses within employment-designated areas of 1,280 acres or more.

The amendment, introduced by Ken Galica of the Development Services Department, revises the city—s definition of the Employment land use designation so future master-planned employment areas can propose a small amount of housing as part of a larger mixed-use plan. Council approved the change by voice vote; the public hearing for the item drew no speakers.

The amendment does not grant any automatic rezoning or property rights. Galica told the council that future residential proposals would be considered only through separate, discretionary zoning documents. He said proposed residential uses must not be the primary land use, must be buffered from heavy industrial operations, and must meet performance and design standards such as setbacks, landscaping and screening that city staff would evaluate at the time of any zoning request.

Council members asked why staff initiated the text change. Galica said the amendment was prompted by an incoming master-plan project named Grand View and that staff wanted a citywide framework rather than recoloring the map case-by-case for a single development. He said the change would allow the city to evaluate similar large employment master plans elsewhere in Buckeye without automatically obligating the council to approve residential components.

Mayor Eric W. Osborne and Council member Hagestad both referenced recent employer-driven development models in the region as background, and Hagestad specifically mentioned examples where employers and workforce housing co-locate. The Planning body identified in the staff presentation (referred to as PNC) considered the amendment on Aug. 12 and recommended approval unanimously, according to Galica.

Action taken: the council approved the minor general plan amendment (Resolution No. 51-25, as cited in the agenda) by unanimous vote. The amendment allows future consideration of limited residential uses in employment-designated sites of 1,280 acres or larger; any specific project still must return to the council for discretionary zoning and design review. The council did not adopt any map changes or approve any specific zoning tonight.

Why it matters: the change creates an option for future large employers or master-planned developments to propose on-site or adjacent workforce housing while preserving the city—s stated goal that employment remain the dominant land use. Supporters said the approach gives the city flexibility for long-term planning without obligating the council to approve any particular development.

Background and next steps: staff indicated the amendment was motivated by the forthcoming Grand View master plan and by broader trends where major employment projects seek proximate housing and amenities. Any developer seeking to include housing under the revised definition must submit zoning documents that demonstrate compliance with the stated limitations; council retains final discretion on such proposals.