The Apache Junction Planning and Zoning Commission recommended 5-0 on June 24 that the City Council approve a conditional-use permit for the Apache Trail Superstition Event Center, a proposal to convert the west half of a five-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Lost Dutchman Boulevard and Apache Trail from RV/boat storage to an event venue and accessory uses.

Nick Leftwich, senior planner for the city, told commissioners the applicant proposes a 4,927.5-square-foot building intended to host weddings and other multipurpose events. The site plan shows the building on the west half of Parcel 100-25-043E, landscaping along Apache Trail, and shared parking arrangements with an existing restaurant on the property. Leftwich said the applicant held a neighborhood meeting June 10 and staff received two written emails opposing the request over traffic and noise concerns; staff recommended approval with conditions intended to mitigate impacts on adjacent residences.

Miles Roberts of Edifice Architecture presented design details including a proposed indoor event space and an outdoor ceremony area oriented toward the Superstition Mountains. Roberts said indoor occupancy is about “a 100 occupants” and the outdoor ceremony area measures roughly 3,500 square feet. He said the plan relies on landscaping—mesquite and palo verde trees—and architectural treatments to soften the site instead of block walls.

Nearby resident Hannah Nissen, who lives at 2273 North Cortez Road directly across from the parcel, told the commission she opposed the permit, saying outdoor music, amplified speakers and alcohol commonly associated with weddings would sharply increase noise and traffic for adjacent homes and that she feared the venue would operate many nights a week. Members of the Hitching Post business, which occupies the adjacent property, told the commission the Hitching Post and the proposed center are separate businesses with separate licenses and that the Hitching Post operates under a development agreement with limitations on its outdoor entertainment.

Applicant testimony and staff discussion clarified several conditions staff plans to recommend to council, including restrictions on outdoor activity and noise. Commissioners and staff referenced a condition that governs outdoor music and time limits, and the transcript records a condition that sets a decibel limit: “cannot exceed 60 decibels past 20 feet of the property line.” Commissioners also discussed Condition 3, which requires a fence along portions of the south and west property lines; staff clarified the fence will be a site separation fence in some locations and that additional landscaping is planned along the east side between the venue and existing residences.

The applicant (who identified himself as Moe, owner/operator of the Hitching Post) said outdoor amplified speakers would not be used for ceremonies and that the venue’s alcohol service would be controlled by liquor-license rules and separate from the Hitching Post’s licensed operations. He said the property owner holds a 99-year recorded lease for shared parking among the parcels and cited an ADOT letter in the file noting that a deceleration lane off State Route 88 was not required for the Hitching Post development; he also said he intends to phase out the storage uses on the parcel.

After findings of fact and discussion, the commission moved to recommend approval of conditional-use permit case P-25-28-CUP, subject to the eight conditions in the staff report. The motion passed 5-0 and will be forwarded to City Council for final action.