Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves amendment to White Mountain Lakes VISTAs master plan with conditions
Summary
The board unanimously approved a master development plan amendment for phases 2–4 of White Mountain Lakes VISTAs after staff review and developer concessions; approval is subject to 10 staff conditions and will require infrastructure improvements paid by the developer as needed.
The Navajo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a master development plan amendment for phases 2, 3 and 4 of the White Mountain Lakes VISTAs community, subject to 10 staff conditions. The amendment alters the mix and density of housing proposed for the site and includes protected open space near a wash and deed-restricted age buffers adjacent to existing resorts.
County planner Cody Cooper presented the proposal and staff analysis. The site comprises roughly 67.2 acres and previously had approvals for 300 total units across four phases (Phase 1 completed with 84 lots). For the current amendment the developer proposes a mixed plan for phases 2–4: staff reported the developer’s materials propose 24 single-family lots, 33 manufactured-home lots and 133 multifamily units in the amended phases; staff also cited a “maximum of 290 residential units” for the overall master plan in its review. Cooper said the developer intends to connect to existing private water and sewer systems and that conditional will-serves are in place; the developer would be responsible for any system improvements needed to serve the project.
Staff and the developer said they removed proposed camping along the Rocky Arroyo wash and made that corridor an undisturbed area. The developer also committed to follow a deed restriction requiring age-restricted units within 100 feet of Juniper Ridge RV Resort and adjacent White Mountain Lake VISTAs. The Arizona Game and Fish Department reviewed the proposal and recommended minimizing impacts to the wash area and noted bald-eagle sightings several miles north of the site.
Concerns raised during a community meeting included density, water and sewer capacity, traffic and aesthetics. Cooper noted the county comprehensive plan supports modestly higher densities when a mix of housing types provides attainable options. The developer hosted a community meeting in August with roughly 55 attendees and revised the plan in response to public comments.
After staff recommended approval with ten conditions and noting 24 written comments had been received, the board discussed the proposal and supervisors expressed appreciation for developer outreach and staff work. Supervisor Seymour said he would be reluctant to approve further future amendments that increase density beyond what was presented. The board then approved the amendment unanimously; Cooper said subsequent project-specific plans and technical studies (traffic, grading/drainage and utility improvement designs) will be required before final subdivision or construction approvals.
