Greenlee County board opens formal process to pursue state land at 'the Y' for housing

The Greenlee County Board of Supervisors voted to formally begin the process of acquiring state trust land around the site known locally as “the Y,” directing staff to open an application and continue technical work while the board defines exact parcel dimensions.

The vote followed a two‑hour work session in which county staff reviewed likely parcel configurations, timelines, hydrology findings and options for partnering with private developers or creating a county housing program.

County staff said the parcels under consideration include a mix of relatively flat mesa tops and steeper drainages; preliminary mapping suggests 50–65 half‑acre lots could be developed on the most buildable portions of a roughly 115‑acre footprint, while larger polygon calls could encompass several hundred acres. Reid, a county land‑use specialist, said exact acreages will be set after further surveying and consultation with State Trust Land Office staff.

Why this matters: The board framed the item as an attempt to increase local housing supply in a market tied to mining employment. Staff repeatedly described water availability and treatment, the timing of state processes, and private‑market interest as the riskiest factors for any future subdivision or development. The board voted to initiate the official state‑land application process so the county can gather more information before deciding whether to bid at auction.

What staff told the board County staff laid out three parallel tracks they expect to run: (1) a…