Council introduces ordinance to rezone 33‑acre site near Avenue 9E and 20th Street after neighbors and planners debate traffic and open‑space

The Yuma City Council on May 7 introduced an ordinance to rezone a roughly 33.38‑acre property near the southeast corner of Avenue 9E and 20 Fourth Street from agricultural to low‑density residential (R‑16). The introduction follows a public hearing in which neighbors voiced concerns about traffic, lack of common area and compatibility with adjacent lots.

Amelia Dombey, principal planner in the city’s Planning and Neighborhood Services department, told council the parcel was annexed in 2019 and that the applicant is proposing about 85 residential lots with lot sizes ranging from approximately 6,000 to 19,000 square feet. Dombey said staff recommended approval of the rezoning but that the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend denial, citing concerns about proposed density and Avenue 9E traffic.

Neighbors urged the council to secure concessions from the developer to preserve neighborhood character. Kyla Smith, a nearby homeowner who said she and others had met with the developer and city staff, said, “We communicated our support of the rezoning petition dependent on addressing four concerns… The first is lack of common area. The current plan proposes to build 85 homes on small, high‑density lots with no common area.” She said the developer had agreed to consider changes, including adding larger front lots opposite existing four larger lots, and establishing enforceable covenants.

Other neighbors echoed those requests. Quincy Smith, who said he and his wife had met with the developer and engineers, praised the developer’s willingness to discuss interim traffic improvements and said residents hope the builder will “honor his commitments.” Several speakers asked the city to require a neighborhood park or common area and to reduce the number of smaller lots directly across from the four larger existing lots.

City engineering staff said a separate capital improvement project to widen Avenue 9E is already in design. Dave Wostenberg, director of engineering, told the council the design phase will take about 18 months and that right‑of‑way acquisition and utility coordination are required. He estimated the full widening and bridge project at roughly $10 million, with possible construction in 2028–2029 depending on funding.

The developer’s team told neighbors and staff it would dedicate 12.5 feet of right of way along the property’s frontage and proposed interim roadway improvements and a separated multiuse path to provide pedestrian and bicycle access before the city’s full widening project is built. Planning staff noted several easements through the site that constrain lot layout and said the applicant presented a conceptual site plan at the hearing.

Council comments were mixed but leaned toward allowing the rezoning to proceed. Councilmember Joe Morris said the R‑16 request fits surrounding zoning patterns and noted the developer’s proposed right‑of‑way dedication and interim path as significant commitments. Councilmember Morales and others emphasized the need for continued dialog between neighbors, the developer and staff on lot sizes, covenants and open‑space provisions during the subdivision plat process.

Formal action and next steps: The council closed the public hearing and the clerk displayed the ordinance title; the measure was introduced and will return at a future meeting for final approval or denial. Dombey and staff said rezoning is a preliminary action: specific subdivision design, CC&Rs and final engineering approvals will be reviewed in subsequent public hearings and planning meetings.

What residents asked for: larger lots across from the four existing homes, a dedicated common area or park, enforceable covenants (CC&Rs) to preserve neighborhood standards, and interim traffic mitigation while the longer‑term Avenue 9E capacity project proceeds. The developer agreed to consider several of those suggestions, including adding restrictions north of Lot 5 and exploring larger lot sizes opposite the existing larger homes.

Context: The Planning and Zoning Commission held a hearing on March 24, 2025, and recommended denial. The council’s introduction does not change that recommendation; the council will take final action after additional staff review and public hearings on the subdivision plat and engineering plans.