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Planning commission reviews Home Depot plan for 11‑acre site; traffic impact study, drainage and landscaping flagged for follow up
Summary
City planners presented the first submittal of a proposed Home Depot on an approximately 11‑acre parcel at the northeast corner of North Stonegate Road and Maricopa‑Casa Grande Highway. Staff described building size, garden center and parking; reviewers flagged drainage, landscape palette and a forthcoming traffic impact analysis for more detail.
Derek Shearer, a city planner, presented the first submittal for DRP23‑07, a proposed Home Depot on roughly 11 acres near North Stonegate Road and Maricopa‑Casa Grande Highway. The presentation was informational; the item was for discussion only and no vote was taken.
Shearer said the store design includes an approximately 8,000‑square‑foot retail area, a roughly 28,000‑square‑foot garden center and about 4,600 square feet of parking‑lot display area for sheds and rental equipment. The site plan shows 545 parking spaces in total; Shearer said about 505 will be usable for customers and roughly 40 will be occupied by display or rental inventory. The store will include a seasonal sales area of roughly 6,700 square feet for items such as Christmas trees and pumpkins.
On technical issues, Shearer told the commission that staff’s first‑round review identified comments related to landscaping, tree species placement and architectural articulation. He said some palo verde trees were being reconsidered because of concerns about traffic visibility and vehicle impacts. The presentation noted the site borders a drainage channel and a multi‑use trail; Shearer said stormwater first‑flush retention will be handled on site with overflow into the existing channel, and that the applicant will need to address landscaping of the drainage corridor in a separate submittal.
Shearer said the applicant will respond to staff comments and submit a revised package; planning, engineering, fire and GIS will all provide consolidated comments. He also said a traffic impact analysis will determine whether roadway widening, turn lanes or other intersection improvements are required when the application is reviewed further. Commissioners emphasized the traffic study’s importance; Commissioner Irving asked staff to confirm that the traffic analysis will be part of the decision‑making process.
Public outreach included notification letters to property owners within 600 feet and a sign posted on site; staff reported one supportive email from the public. Developer and applicant representatives spoke briefly during the meeting and praised city staff cooperation. Because this was a first submittal, Shearer said staff anticipates more detailed comments and an improved second submittal before any final action.
