The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 on June 5 to recommend that the City Council approve a rezoning of about 2.39 gross acres at the northeast corner of 160th Street and Jomax Road from rural residential (RR) to community commercial (C2) for a proposed Circle K convenience store and fuel station.

The rezone, case FS24-0762, would allow a Circle K with a 5,200-square-foot prototype building, above-ground storm retention and expanded landscape buffers along the arterial streets, staff and the applicant said. Leslie, a planning staff member, told the commission the proposal “meets the rezone requirements set forth in the LDO” and staff recommended approval subject to stipulations A and B.

The applicant's representative, Bridal Ray, speaking on behalf of Circle K Stores, said the site was appropriate for commercial use at the intersection of two arterials and described security and design measures. Ray said the company follows “CPTED principles, crime prevention through environmental design,” uses downward-directed site lighting and plans “somewhere between 20 and 25 cameras that will be, inside and outside on the periphery of the store.”

Several residents expressed opposition in written comment read into the record. A letter from resident Sherry Kisling said she and other homeowners moved north of Jomax for rural residential zoning and wrote, “We are a % against this project,” citing traffic, light pollution and safety concerns and asserting limited evacuation routes in the area.

Commissioner John Perry (first reference: Commissioner Perry) said he had “mixed feelings” and that his concern was not the applicant but the 24-hour nature of a gas-and-convenience operation. He asked about nighttime staffing and security; Ray said Circle K routinely surveys employees about safety, coordinates with local police, and provides camera access to law enforcement across the valley. Commissioner Keating noted the location will eventually be at the geographic center of Surprise and said existing rural residential zoning for nearby homeowners would not change; he urged that the site plan accommodate trucks with horse trailers.

Commissioners also discussed coordination with an ongoing CIP at the intersection. Ray said the developer will provide half-street improvements, right-of-way dedications and turn lanes, and that a shared future driveway is being provided to facilitate access to potential future commercial development north of the parcel.

After discussion the commission made a motion to recommend approval to City Council subject to stipulations A and B. The motion passed unanimously, with the record noting “Motion passes with 6 votes in favor.” The recommendation will be considered by the City Council as the next review step.

The planning staff noted a neighborhood meeting had been held on Oct. 29 with nine residents in attendance and that the conceptual site plan remains under city review. The commission did not modify staff stipulations during its recommendation.

The City Council will receive the commission’s recommendation at a future meeting; no City Council action occurred at this hearing.