Council approves Miller and I‑10 PAD amendment, removes multifamily from proposed uses

The Buckeye City Council on May 20 adopted Ordinance 19‑25 approving a major amendment to the Miller and I‑10 Planned Area Development (case PLZZ‑24‑0012), changing the permitted uses and development standards for an approximately 29‑acre site at the southeast corner of Miller Road and Interstate 10.

"The applicant on this is Carolyn Oberholtzer on behalf of the property owner, which is Bridal Real Estate Company," said Mandy Woods, who presented the case to council. Woods described the proposal as a major amendment because it modifies permitted uses in the PAD, notably removing multifamily residential from the list of allowed uses and replacing it with a land‑use plan oriented toward commerce.

Under the approved amendment the site is divided into two development units: the Miller Road Commercial Development Unit (about 17.2 acres) intended for customer‑facing commercial uses including office, clinic or health‑care facilities, hotel or motel, retail and related uses; and the Yuma Road Development Unit (about 8–12 acres) intended for mini storage, vehicle sales and rental, warehouse and retail sales. Woods said some uses already prohibited by the PAD — such as adult entertainment, junkyards and heavy industrial or manufacturing uses — remain explicitly prohibited.

Woods noted several standards the amendment carries forward or changes: the landscaping requirement for the Miller Road unit increases from 10% to 20%; the PAD retains a required future comprehensive sign plan but the revised PAD removes concept exhibits and does not include a digital billboard; and the PAD raises the maximum height for a hospital use to 120 feet while other uses would remain limited to 60 feet. When asked for the specific height change, Woods said, "Oh, it's, up to 120 feet for hospital use, otherwise it's 60 feet."

Public participation followed code requirements: staff held a neighborhood meeting on March 19 at the Buckeye Elementary School District Administration Office; city staff, the project team and three council members attended. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on April 22; Woods told the council there were no speakers at that hearing and staff identified no outstanding citizen concerns.

Council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance. Future development of the site will require submittal and approval of site plans and subdivision applications, and the PAD narrative prescribes a phasing plan; Woods said the developer will complete transportation, water, sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements at the time of future site planning and subdivision reviews.

The ordinance carries conditions A through T and staff recommended adoption on the grounds that the amendment furthers the general plan and conforms to applicable development code standards.