The Apache Junction City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 5 to approve Resolution 25-23, authorizing a conditional-use permit (case P2528CUP) for an event venue at the southeast corner of Lost Dutchman Boulevard and Apache Trail.

The permit covers a conversion of an existing RV/boat storage site to an event center with a building just under 5,000 square feet and associated site improvements. The council’s approval replaced a staff-drafted condition that would have banned outdoor music with a requirement that “amplified outdoor sound is permitted for duration of booked events ending no later than 10 p.m.”

The change was made in the motion submitted to the council; the resolution passed on a unanimous roll call. The vote followed a staff presentation that noted the property is zoned B-1 (general commercial), that event centers require a conditional-use permit in that zoning district, and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 5-0 with modified wording to two conditions (a fence requirement and potential noise limits).

Why it matters: The parcel sits along State Route 88, a state highway with growing traffic and nearby residential neighborhoods. Dozens of residents and business supporters addressed the council during the public hearing, with public testimony sharply divided over the project’s potential traffic and safety impacts versus its potential economic and community benefits.

Planning staff presentation and project details
Nick Leftwich, senior planner for the city of Apache Junction, summarized the application and site plan. He said the applicant intends to phase out the existing RV and boat storage use and construct an event venue with indoor and limited outdoor activity areas. Leftwich told the council that staff had received three emails raising concerns about noise and traffic; two were included in the staff report and a third arrived the day of the meeting.

Leftwich also said the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the case on June 24 and voted 5-0 to forward a recommendation of approval subject to conditions in the staff report; staff subsequently clarified the wording of Condition 3 (fence) and Condition 5 (noise/music) for council consideration.

Public testimony: traffic and safety concerns vs. local economic support
Several nearby residents urged the council to require a traffic study and to coordinate improvements with the Arizona Department of Transportation, which owns and operates State Route 88. Cindy Ruhl, who said she has lived in the Mining Camp restaurant neighborhood for 32 years, described frequent heavy RV, boat and trailer traffic on Route 88 and said motorists and bicyclists face hazards where businesses and venues access the highway. “We therefore completely disagree with the statement made at the recent Planning and Zoning Commission meeting that the property will not be detrimental to people residing or working in the area,” Ruhl said.

Other speakers supported the project as a locally owned venue that could draw business and events to Apache Junction. Pamela Bradshaw said the town lacks a mid-size venue and praised the developer’s community involvement. “We need business in our town,” she said.

Council and staff responses on jurisdiction and mitigation
Council members and staff noted limits to the city’s authority over State Route 88 because it is managed by ADOT. The city’s public works director and city engineer routinely share data with ADOT and request studies or improvements when warranted, staff said; however, ADOT must approve and require work on the state highway.

Mike Bryant, city manager, reiterated that the change of use had not triggered a requirement for a traffic study under current protocols but said the city continues to provide traffic data to ADOT as conditions change. The council heard multiple requests that ADOT be engaged if increased traffic or turn-lane work is necessary.

Council action and motion
At the close of the public hearing, a council member moved to approve Resolution 25-23 for case P2528CUP, with the specific amendment to Condition 5 to permit amplified outdoor sound for booked events that must end by 10 p.m. The motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call. The council’s recorded votes were: Councilmember Nasser—yes; Councilmember Johnson—yes; Councilmember Cross—yes; Councilmember Heck—yes; Councilmember Sellor—yes; Vice Mayor Schroeder—yes; Mayor Wilson—yes. The motion passed unanimously with a quorum present.

What is not decided yet
The council’s action approves the conditional-use permit subject to the council’s adopted conditions; any roadway or turn-lane improvements on State Route 88 would require coordination and approval from the Arizona Department of Transportation. The project still must meet the city’s building-permit, site-improvement and operational requirements enforced by staff and any final condition language adopted in the resolution.

Public-record follow-up and next steps
Staff recorded three resident email objections in the record and noted the Planning and Zoning Commission’s 5-0 recommendation. The council amended and approved the resolution at the meeting; construction, site work and future enforcement of noise and operational conditions will follow as the developer advances permits and inspections.

Ending: The council’s approval allows the applicant to move forward with the event center permit under the council’s conditions; questions about whether ADOT will require turn-lane or other traffic work on State Route 88 remain for future coordination between the city, the developer and ADOT.