Planning commission approves Sanctuary Phase 1 plat after debate over emergency access

The City of Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission on a subsequent motion approved SUB 24‑07, the Sanctuary Phase 1 preliminary plat, a proposal to subdivide roughly 83.02 gross acres to accommodate 339 single‑family homes.

The vote followed extended discussion focused on whether the subdivision should be required to construct a full secondary access as part of Phase 1, or whether a temporary all‑weather emergency access is acceptable until later phases are built out. The commission tied initially on a motion to approve, sent the item into an executive session for further discussion, then approved the plat when the commission reconvened.

Derek Shearer, Planning Division, presented the application on behalf of Development Services, saying the Phase 1 plat shows a mix of lot sizes and that the overall Sanctuary development could ultimately include about 1,191 single‑family units. Shearer described Phase 1 as approximately 153 lots sized 40 by 120, 99 lots sized 45 by 120 and 87 lots sized 50 by 120 and noted the phase is bisected by a…