Commission moves Mars Headquarters rezoning to consent; consent agenda approved

The Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission on April 10 moved case Z240021, called Mars Headquarters, to the consent agenda and approved the consent agenda by roll-call vote.

County planning staff described Z240021 as a zone change to Industrial-2 IUPD for an 8.9-acre parcel at the southwest corner of Happy Valley Road and Seventh Avenue in the Deer Valley area. Staff noted the City of Phoenix general plan designates the area for industrial use and that the IUPD designation limits uses because of the lack of sewer; the change resolves an existing zoning violation related to storage yards and will require a plan of development (POD) at a later date.

Darren, planning staff, said the recommendation (paragraph 12) is approval subject to conditions a through j. With no members of the public registered to speak in opposition, Commissioner Warren Whitney moved to approve the consent agenda and Commissioner Layton seconded. The clerk recorded a 7–0 recommendation for approval.

The approval places Mars Headquarters on the county’s industrial land-use trajectory; staff said a future POD will impose administrative requirements and that the IUPD limits potential uses until sewer connections or other infrastructure changes occur.