Glendale annexes 39 acres along Agua Fria River, rezones site for heavy-industrial mining use

The Glendale City Council on Aug. 26 unanimously approved annexing about 39 acres along the Agua Fria River and rezoning the property to M-2 heavy industrial with a special-use overlay for mining. The action combines an annexation ordinance and a companion general-plan amendment and rezoning request. City staff said the parcel is located between the Bethany Home Road and Maryland Avenue alignments, roughly 2,500 feet east of El Mirage Road, and is currently county-zoned RU-43 (rural residential). Dwayne Hoskins, interim deputy director of development services, told the council the annexation would equitably zone the parcel to R-R-45 upon inclusion in the city; the applicant simultaneously applied to amend the general plan and rezone the property after annexation. The council’s vote approved resolution R25-87 (general plan amendment GPA 25-02) and ordinance O25-36 (rezoning) and also approved the related annexation ordinance O25-35. Councilmember Leandro Baldenegro made the motion; Vice Mayor Lauren Tomachoff seconded. A roll-call vote recorded ayes from Baldenegro, Lupe Conchas, Diana Guzman, Councilmember Milner, Bart Turner, Vice Mayor Tomachoff and Mayor Jerry Wires. City staff said the applicant plans to integrate the parcel with adjacent 3 Rocks Mining operations and that the site is undeveloped and surrounded by other mining uses. Staff described the proposal as not including any new construction and noted access from El Mirage Road via an existing unimproved private service road. A prior public hearing on Aug. 12 drew one resident question about mine reclamation and the timing of future development. The staff presentations cited Arizona statutory authority for annexation procedures (Title 9, Chapter 4, section 9-471 of the Arizona Revised Statutes) and included city ordinance and resolution numbers associated with the council’s actions. The council took the vote after the public hearing was opened and closed with no public testimony at the Aug. 26 meeting. The rezoning and annexation change the property’s municipal status and land-use designation; staff said the change supports future employment and development on the site. The council did not detail a construction timeline or require additional mitigation conditions during the Aug. 26 vote. The ordinances and resolution take effect as provided in their text and will be recorded as required by city practice. The council’s action completes the local approvals referenced on the record; any future mining activity will remain subject to applicable permits and approvals not decided at this meeting.