Smaller Maricopa plan amendment seeks to convert 100 acres near Porter Road from commercial to medium‑density housing

City of Maricopa staff presented a public hearing on GPA 21‑02, a proposed general‑plan amendment to redesignate about 100 acres at the southeast corner of Porter Road and Maricopa‑Casa Grande Highway from primarily commercial (with open space and employment slivers) to medium‑density residential; staff said the location and surrounding uses make the change appropriate but emphasized further review is needed before action.

Planning staff noted the site is entirely within the city and therefore would not require annexation. "Medium density residential is about two to six dwelling units per acre," staff told the commission, characterizing the proposal as not a high‑density plan but likely consistent with lot sizes already found in the city.

The applicant held a neighborhood meeting and staff said all notification requirements were met, including publication in the Maricopa Monitor and Casa Grande Dispatch and mailed notices to properties within 600 feet. Tina Dugan, speaking at the hearing, raised concerns about ingress and egress and said one shown access alignment could leave neighborhoods effectively landlocked during train crossings or floods without additional bridge construction. Dugan also urged preserving commercial and employment land, noting the parcel’s proximity to Union Pacific railroad access and state land parcels which could suit future mixed‑use or employment development.

Commissioners asked staff to provide more context before a decision, including the status and schedule for the East‑West Corridor bridge over Santa Rosa Wash; Development Services Director Rudy Lopez told the commission design work is under way and construction on the East‑West Corridor and the Porter Road bridge element is expected to start in January with about 18 months of work.

Multiple commissioners expressed concern about the cumulative conversion of commercial land to residential citywide and asked staff to prepare an inventory showing remaining commercial and industrial land supply before the next hearing. Commissioner Frank specifically asked whether the city should commission a study on commercial‑land availability; commissioners also requested evidence on emergency‑response times and fire‑protection capacity given the site’s distance from existing stations.

Staff said it currently supports the amendment on balance because of the parcel’s location adjacent to planned and existing residential areas and because the proposed development would retain an amount of open space similar to the current plan. No action was taken; the item will return to the commission for a formal recommendation following staff review and additional materials on transportation, flood mitigation, and commercial‑land inventory.

Ending: Staff scheduled the follow‑up public hearing and agreed to provide a written response on commercial land supply, bridge timing, flood mitigation and emergency services responses before the commission takes action.