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Board denies rezoning request to split 4.77‑acre dome‑valley lot; MCAS cited safety buffer
Summary
The board denied a planned split of a 4.77‑acre parcel in Dome Valley to create smaller 2‑acre lots, citing the comprehensive plan's half‑mile buffer recommendation around the Barry M. Goldwater Range and MCAS Yuma opposition.
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors denied a rezoning application (Case 24‑21) on Feb. 19 that would have changed a 4.77‑acre parcel in Dome Valley from a 4‑acre minimum to a 2‑acre minimum, allowing the owner to split the lot.
Planning staff recommended denial based on the comprehensive plan’s density recommendation for properties within a half‑mile of the Barry M. Goldwater Range; the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) liaison submitted a formal letter opposing increased density in the range buffer. Maggie Castro, planning and zoning director, said the comprehensive plan designates one dwelling unit per five acres for land within the half‑mile range buffer and staff concluded the rezoning would be inconsistent with that guidance.
An adjacent landowner opposed the request; the property owner, Kailene Gotwalt, spoke in favor and said splitting the parcel would help her afford to build a home and stable for horses. Gotwalt said she purchased the lot in April 2022 and asked the board to permit the split to allow faster development or sale of one lot.
Supervisors discussed competing priorities: housing affordability and property owner expectations versus long‑standing range buffer policy and aircraft noise safety concerns. After deliberation the board voted to deny the rezoning; the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval with conditions, but staff and MCAS opposed the change. The denial was recorded in the public hearing; no appeal or further administrative action was announced at the meeting.
