Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use And Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Apache Junction planning panel approves Empire Southwest outdoor storage yard in Baseline Industrial Park
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing Empire Southwest LLC to expand an outdoor equipment storage yard across five lots in the Baseline Industrial Park, subject to conditions including an 8-foot CMU perimeter wall, dust control, and landscape requirements; the decision may be appealed to City Council within
The Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Apache Junction voted unanimously Tuesday to approve conditional use permit case PD-24-69-CUP (resolution 25-05), allowing Empire Southwest LLC to expand an outdoor equipment storage yard across five lots in the Baseline Industrial Park.
Erica Hernandez, a city planner, told commissioners that staff recommended approval. "Staff recommends approval of case number PD-24-69-CUP subject to the conditions of approvals found in the staff report," Hernandez said, summarizing the staff findings and required conditions.
The permit would add five parcels adjacent to the applicant’s existing facility near Winchester and 30 Fourth Avenue, including parcels on Colt Avenue and 30 Sixth Avenue. The parcels are part of the Baseline Industrial Park Subdivision, created in 1998. Under the approved site plan, the lots will be enclosed by an 8-foot concrete masonry unit (CMU) perimeter wall designed to match the existing facility to the north, and the surface will be dust‑proofed. Notices of the application were mailed to property owners within 500 feet, a public sign was posted at the site, and the case was advertised in the newspaper; the neighborhood meeting held Aug. 20 drew no attendees.
Grant Taylor, who presented for Empire Southwest, said the company needs more yard space to store rental equipment. "We have been using asphalt millings," Taylor said when asked about dust control; he said millings are standard at the company’s other yards and that they are open to additives if required. Taylor also described past approvals and said the expanded yard could remain in this use indefinitely or could be built upon later.
Commission discussion referenced the site’s zoning (B-5 and B-5 PD) and the city’s conditional use permit criteria, which staff said are applied to ensure buffering, walls, and landscaping so storage yards do not proliferate without controls. Commissioners asked about landscaping and irrigation; staff and the applicant said the landscape plan meets city requirements, including a 25-foot landscape easement in parts of the subdivision and required drought-tolerant plantings and irrigation connected to the municipal water association. Commissioners noted the water cost concerns but confirmed xeriscaping and the planned plantings meet current zoning requirements.
The motion to approve the conditional use permit passed on a 5-0 roll call (Commissioner Callan, Chairman Hanche, Commissioner Gage, Commissioner Star, Commissioner Mike Lind voting yes). The approval includes the conditions listed in the staff report and will stand unless appealed to City Council within 20 days.
Votes at a glance
- Conditional Use Permit PD-24-69-CUP (Resolution 25-05): Approved 5-0; request by Grant Taylor/Empire Southwest LLC for an outdoor storage yard on Lots 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 in Baseline Industrial Park; conditions include 8-foot CMU wall, dust-proofing of surface (applicant noted use of asphalt millings), and landscaping per staff report; appealable to City Council within 20 days.
- April 8 regular meeting date: Approved 5-0; the Planning and Zoning Commission scheduled a regular meeting for April 8 at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, with notices to be posted if canceled due to lack of agenda items.
The commission also approved the meeting agenda and the minutes of the Jan. 14 meeting earlier in the session. With no old or new business remaining, the commission adjourned.
