Commission recommends approval of Goldhawk at the Preserve rezoning; tribes and neighbors warn on water, septic, fire and roads

The Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission on May 8 recommended approval, by a 7–1 vote, of Z240006 — a zone‑change and REPD overlay for approximately 1,940 acres in the Goldfield Ranch area that would cap future development at roughly 696 lots and establish an average density of about 0.36 dwelling units per acre.

The applicant, represented by Wendy Riddell for Greyhawk Development, described the request as a down‑zoning from entitlements considered in past approvals and emphasized preservation commitments: “approximately 70% of this project is preserved as open space,” Riddell said, and the proposal would use on‑lot building envelopes, limit on‑lot disturbance and dedicate open‑space tracks. The applicant also noted an assured‑water‑supply analysis and proposed requirements for fire protection, road improvements, septic system standards and tribal notification procedures.

Public testimony from multiple tribal governments and local organizations focused on groundwater and river resources, septic systems, and emergency service capacity. Paul Russell, vice president of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, said the nation’s 1990 water settlement is "far more than a binding legal contract. It is a solemn promise" and urged stronger protections for the Verde River and adjacent groundwater. Susan Montgomery, counsel for the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, told the commission that many of the applicant’s proposed production wells lie along the reservation boundary and that the nation’s hydrologist had identified data gaps and potential errors in the applicant’s pumping‑impact materials. Montgomery also noted the national and regional history of septic failures and said, "ADEQ has done surveys and documented that at least 1 in 3 septic tanks in Arizona right now are in some state of failure."

Tribal and neighboring representatives asked the commission for a continuance of about 30 days to finalize stipulations and technical reviews. Several technical witnesses raised concerns about fire response times given current Goldfield‑area fire‑protection resources, long drive times to staffed stations, heavy reliance on water tenders and the need for hydrants and guaranteed fire flow; Calv in Pilcher, general manager for Fort McDowell, said a staffed local station could reduce response times substantially and that "fire doubles in size every minute."

Staff recommended approval with conditions a through s and proposed a specific condition (E.0.3) to require new parcels created by minor land division within the REPD overlay to adhere to Rural‑190 development standards until final plats are recorded. The applicant negotiated and presented 15 additional stipulations addressing water, septic oversight, fire, cultural resources and tribal coordination; both applicant counsel and tribal representatives described ongoing negotiations and multiple exchanges, including a late‑delivered set of proposed stipulations.

Opponents — homeowners’ associations and nearby property owners — raised road design and traffic concerns, noting that the local road network contains long legs and limited alternate access; traffic and engineering witnesses recommended evaluating additional access to State Route 87 or other circulation improvements rather than relying on a single primary route. Several speakers also argued that if the rezone eliminated the previously planned wastewater treatment plant, the practical result would be the approval of nearly 700 individual septic systems upgradient of the Verde River.

Commissioner questions and remarks acknowledged the breadth of issues; multiple commissioners expressed appreciation for the negotiated stipulations and staff recommendations but also urged continued work between the applicant, tribal nations, fire providers and local stakeholders. Commissioner Finter moved to recommend approval subject to conditions a through s; Commissioner Millhaven seconded. The roll call vote produced seven yes votes and one no vote; staff recorded the commission’s recommendation to forward the case to the Board of Supervisors for final action.

The Board of Supervisors will consider the commission’s recommendation; several parties asked for an additional short continuance so technical analyses and stipulation language can be finalized before the Board hearing.