Commission denies request to allow semi‑truck parking in Acorn Lane neighborhood

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny docket SU25‑08, a request to allow semi‑truck parking on approximately 18 acres at 3281 Monte Vista Trail (off Mescal Road). The applicant, Jose (Jose/Henriques) told the commission he operates a small trucking business and sought on‑site overnight parking for his vehicles.

Staff described the property as RU‑4 in a rural residential area with lots averaging 4 to 5 acres and reported that staff mailed 29 notices within 750 feet and received 11 written responses in opposition. An active code enforcement action related to the parking was noted in the staff report.

Applicant Jose Henriques described safety and security concerns that led him to park his trucks near his residence and outlined steps he would take to reduce impacts: applying gravel to the parking area to limit dust, limiting idle time to about 10 minutes, maintaining Monte Vista Trail and Acorn Lane, limiting on‑site trucks to empty trailers and prohibiting trailer washing, and planting trees along property lines. “This is for my family. This is how I provide for my family,” he said.

Eleven nearby residents and property owners gave public comment in opposition, citing dust, viewshed impacts, road deterioration in monsoon conditions, safety and proximity to homes, livestock impacts and neighborhood character. Several speakers noted a wash and low‑lying section of Acorn Lane that reportedly has previously trapped a semi and argued the road is not built to handle frequent heavy truck traffic.

Commission discussion emphasized road infrastructure and neighborhood impacts. Staff confirmed a condition had been proposed requiring the applicant to grade Monte Vista Trail and Acorn Lane at least once per year and to apply two‑inch gravel to the truck parking area. Commissioners noted the county could require road maintenance, culverts or other improvements, but several said the existing neighborhood and road infrastructure made the use inappropriate at this location.

A motion to approve with staff conditions failed. The chair announced the motion failed and read an announced tally; the motion did not pass. Commissioners expressed sympathy for the applicant’s circumstances and encouraged exploring alternative parking locations or improvements to shared road infrastructure such as a maintenance district or culvert installation.

The commission’s denial preserves the existing residential character of the Acorn Lane neighborhood; applicants retain the right to appeal to the Board of Supervisors within 15 days.