Council approves Thornton–Ash rezoning to I-2 with screening and storage limits

Casa Grande — The City Council approved a zone change that reclassifies approximately 36 acres at the southeast corner of Thornton Road and Ash Avenue from I-1 (garden and light industrial) to I-2 (general industrial), with conditions to limit certain outdoor uses and require screening.

Staff said the rezoning addresses high local demand for general industrial land but noted the site would be an I-2 island surrounded by I-1 zoning and is relatively close to downtown and planned residential areas. To address compatibility, the council adopted conditions of record limiting storage of volatile or explosive materials to no more than 10% of floor area, prohibiting outdoor storage of explosive or volatile materials as determined by fire or building code, and requiring decorative masonry block walls along Thornton Road to screen outdoor storage when present.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a 6–1 vote; staff said notifications were sent to properties within 1,000 feet and signs posted, and no adverse comments were received in the application period. During the council hearing, a speaker representing the property owner, Rick Miller, told council the site is “a great site for industrial development” and that cleanup work had been done to remove trash left by truckers.

Ordinance No. 1178.467 adopting the rezoning passed on roll-call with all members recorded as voting yes. Staff said conditions will be enforced during the major site-plan review phase to ensure appropriate buffering and landscaping along adjacent rights-of-way.