Planning commission approves New River RV storage special-use permit with 25-year term

The Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 9–1 on May 8 to recommend approval of case SU240022, a special-use permit for an RV and boat storage facility on about 2.1 acres near the northeast corner of Black Canyon Highway and New River Road in the New River area.

The permit would allow a secured facility with 51 parking stalls, a water fill station, an RV dump, a wash station and an office; the applicant proposed an 8-foot CMU perimeter wall and other site controls. "We're requesting for, 25 years on the SUP," attorney Peter Furlough said, describing the applicant's request for a 25‑year term and the capital investment behind the site plan.

Staff told the commission the parent parcel is roughly 3.43 acres with the proposed SUP site comprising about 2.1 acres; the residence on the northern portion of the parcel was excluded from the SUP and would be retained on a separate lot with an access easement. Staff reported five letters of support and one letter of opposition in the file and recommended approval subject to conditions a through n in the staff report, with a correction to a rear setback noted in the handout memo.

Neighbors and county staff raised scenic‑corridor and visual‑impact issues during discussion. Commissioner Thelma Toma said she was concerned about the site's visibility and the height of parked RVs near the scenic side of the river, noting, "I just don't think it's a good use for that lot." County planning staff explained the property lies below surrounding lots adjacent to the Agua Fria/Verde drainage, and that the SUP format — with stricter, site‑specific conditions for lighting and screening — was chosen to limit long‑term commercial zoning on that side of the river.

Applicant representatives said the closest comparable storage facility is more than five miles away and reported that facility is at capacity. The applicant also said outreach produced neighborhood support and that several of the agreed conditions resulted from conversations with adjacent property owners.

Commissioner Whitney moved to recommend approval as presented; Commissioner Finter seconded. The roll call vote produced nine yes votes and one no vote (Commissioner Toma). The commission clerk recorded the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors by a vote of 9 to 1.

The approval is a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors; the special‑use permit and its conditions will be part of the county record and must be met during permitting and construction.

Clarifying details and next steps included the required lot split before building permits, the applicant's agreement to specific lighting and hours conditions, and the staff correction to the rear setback in the morning handout. The Board of Supervisors will receive the commission's recommendation at a later public meeting.