Council approves preliminary plat for Mesquite Trails Phase 2 with conditions

The Florence Town Council voted to approve the preliminary plat for Mesquite Trails Phase 2, covering Parcels 18 through 22 and comprising about 133.6 acres and 599 single‑family lots. The development is the second phase of a larger planned unit development that was annexed into the town from Pinal County.

Planning staff summarized the proposal and noted the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendations, including: ensuring road connections to adjacent state land, reviewing opportunities to add amenities, building homes abutting the wash at least one foot above 100‑year flood elevations, documenting drainage and dry‑well design to reduce siltation, and clarifying sidewalk and drainage station locations. Staff also noted a technical advisory committee (TAC) discussion, and distributed corrected TAC notes for the record.

Applicant Sean Hamill of United Engineering Group displayed the master plan, lot size ranges (5,400–6,600 sq ft typical), and five pocket‑park amenity areas with tot lots, benches and a half basketball court. He said phase 1 is under construction and that the parcel includes planned open spaces and amenity sites for future phases.

Councilmembers emphasized the need for additional amenities to serve the growing area and discussed infrastructure impacts on Felix Road and nearby corridors. The applicant confirmed frontage improvements will be provided along the property and that phasing and sequencing were coordinated with the town’s fire marshal to meet two‑access requirements under the International Fire Code.

After discussion, council approved the preliminary plat with the conditions discussed; staff stated additional technical reviews and final plat approvals will follow prior to recording.