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Board approves final plats for Palomino Ranch parcels amid resident concerns over water, fire and density
Summary
The board approved final plats for Palomino Ranch Parcels 6 and 9 (consent items K and L), completing the final-planning step for two phases of the long-approved Palomino Ranch development; residents pressed the board for clearer disclosures on water, fire protection and future infrastructure.
The Pinal County Board of Supervisors on April 2 approved final plats for Palomino Ranch parcels (consent items K and L), a step that authorizes creation of lots in a long-planned residential development. The approvals were handled separately after a public speaker asked for more clarity about the proposal.
Chris Wanamaker, county engineer, told the board that the zoning for the overall Palomino Ranch development was approved in February 2003 and that the final-plats before the board are the last step needed to create lots for sale. He said the entire development includes 22 parcels and 2,102 lots, two school sites, an amenity site and a 15-acre commercial site to be developed in phases.
Resident concerns and staff responses
During public comment, Hidden Valley resident Robin Davis urged the board to consider alternative development patterns—including an event or equestrian center with larger lots—rather than higher-density homes. She said residents felt they had little input on earlier entitlement decisions and expressed worry about water and infrastructure.
County Engineer Chris Wanamaker and staff responded to specific public questions: water and sewer service for the parcels will be provided by Global Water and the sewer will route to the Palo Verde water reclamation facility, which Global Water is upgrading as development continues. Fire protection was described as a contracted private provider currently labeled the South Maricopa Fire District; staff said homeowners' association fees are expected to help cover the cost of contracted service and that plans exist for a future fire station as development thresholds are met.
Why it matters
The approvals move forward with a previously approved zoning plan that residents said was decades old; some asked staff to include clearer stipulations in future staff reports showing water-provider approvals, ADWR paperwork and planned fire-station commitments so prospective buyers see infrastructure commitments more visibly.
Board action
A motion to approve item K (final plat) passed by voice vote; the board separately approved item L (final plat) after public comment, with one supervisor recorded as voting nay on item L by voice vote. Staff said two earlier stipulations were fulfilled and therefore removed from the new plat-related ordinance language.
Clarifying details and follow-up
Staff said they will provide more detail in staff reports about ADWR (Arizona Department of Water Resources) certificate references and sewer capacity confirmations and can add referenced documentation in future staff materials. The board accepted the final plats with the existing stipulations and noted staff’s offer to augment future staff reports with additional infrastructure details.
Ending
The approvals finalize lot creation for two Palomino Ranch parcels within a long-planned development. Residents left with continued questions about sequencing, fire coverage and water assurances; staff committed to providing clearer documentation in future reports.
