Chino Valley planning commission adopts code change to reflect state timeline for residential rezonings

The Chino Valley Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 4, 2025 unanimously approved TA 2025-01, an amendment to Town Code Chapter 1.54 that records the state-mandated timeline for residential rezoning applications.

Staff said the state law establishes a 150-day total review period for proposed rezones to residential designations and that the town's existing processing schedule'63 days to reach the planning commission and 84 days to reach the town council'already fits inside that 150-day limit. "The total time frame is a hundred and 50 days," the staff member said. The staff member added the edits were prepared with assistance from the town attorney so the local code matches statutory requirements and to reduce the risk of legal challenge.

The amendment inserts the statutory review periods into the town's administration section. Commissioners asked whether the code change required walking through every revision; staff replied the town would largely mirror the state language and that the town's procedures are already faster than the statutory maximum. No members of the public spoke during the hearing.

A motion to approve TA 2025-01 was made and seconded and carried on a roll-call vote: Commissioner Welker, Alternate Joseph Moravito, Commissioner Mike Ditta, Commissioner Dimudio, Commissioner Meadors, Vice Chair Paciak and Chair Merritt all voted yes. Chair Merritt announced, "The motion's carried unanimously." The commission did not add conditions or amendments during its action.

By adopting the code change, the commission codified timing language staff said is necessary to avoid potential statutory challenges, while retaining the town's shorter internal processing cadence.