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Regional economic manager briefs board on housing plan for state land near 'the Y'; water and timelines seen as main hurdles
Summary
Kevin Fowler of Sego outlined a multi‑phase housing and mixed‑use plan for state trust parcels near the Y, emphasizing water availability, state land sales rules and a multi‑year timeline; county staff and supervisors asked for a feasibility study and legal review before any purchase.
Kevin Fowler, introduced as the economic development manager for Sego, told the board that Greenlee County faces a workforce housing shortage and described a multi‑use, phased development concept on state trust land near the county’s “Y.” Fowler said the plan could include lodging, an RV park, commercial services, and mixed‑density residential units intended to provide workforce housing and some retail support for local employers.
“Job one is water,” Fowler told the board, explaining that the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) will require documentation of an adequate water supply and that many state land transactions and development approvals hinge on water availability. He said land under the state trust must be offered through the State Land Department’s competitive appraisal and bidding process, which he estimated typically takes 18–24 months and begins with a $2,000 application fee. Fowler advised the board that state rules are designed to obtain the “highest and best revenue for schools,” which constrains pricing and timelines.
Fowler urged the county to assemble technical consultants — hydrologists, planners, surveyors and possibly outside development counsel — and to consider applying for a small initial parcel (54 acres in his handout) while pursuing additional contiguous acreage in parallel. He described financing options including planning grants from the Greater Arizona Development Authority (GEDA), potential partnerships with Freeport (a local mining employer) and the San Carlos Apache Tribe for early outreach, and a public‑entity development authority as a way to secure infrastructure funding.
Supervisors and staff discussed key next steps: commissioning a feasibility study, convening a meeting with the State Land Department, consulting water‑law counsel (Fowler suggested firms with water law experience), confirming the capacity of nearby public water providers, and coordinating with potential partners. The board did not authorize a purchase; instead staff and the county administrator were directed to obtain further information and return with recommendations, including legal advice and a more detailed budget for feasibility work.
Ending: The board received the presentation and directed staff to pursue feasibility steps and stakeholder outreach; no land purchase or binding commitment was made at the meeting.
