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Planning commission backs conservation‑style Diablo Canyon subdivision, sends recommendation to supervisors
Summary
The Commission unanimously recommended approval of SUB‑25‑003, the Diablo Canyon conservation subdivision, a 38‑lot cluster plan that would protect roughly 202 acres (60 percent) as permanent open space and add publicly accessible trails and private road infrastructure near Mormon Lake.
The Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend approval of the Diablo Canyon conservation subdivision, forwarding SUB‑25‑003 to the Board of Supervisors.
The proposal would create 38 residential lots on a roughly 335‑acre ranch near Mormon Lake while protecting about 202 acres (60 percent) as permanent open space. The developer designed clustered building envelopes, public trails through the open space, and a layout intended to avoid mature trees, ponds and drainages.
Why it matters: The application uses the county’s conservation subdivision provisions to reduce lot sizes through clustering and preserve large contiguous tracts and wildlife movement areas. Staff said the layout prevents fragmented 10‑acre lot development and provides a single maintained‑road network, publicly accessible trails and a homeowners’ association to manage common infrastructure.
Project details Bob Short, planning staff, described the property as a former ranch with meadows, stock ponds and rock outcroppings. The proposal shows a primary access from Lake Mary Road and an emergency access to existing Forest Service roads; utilities would be on‑site electricity, hauled water and individual on‑site septic systems. The developer’s plan keeps building envelopes away from mapped ponding and a FEMA Zone A flood area and retains tree stands where possible. A tree inventory included more than 240 trees over 20 inches in diameter; the applicant flagged most to be preserved.
Wildlife and public access Arizona Game and Fish submitted recommendations that staff incorporated as conditions, including protecting wildlife movement during construction, using wildlife‑friendly fencing and limiting invasive plants. Staff said the subdivision ordinance’s clustering and conservation measures, together with CC&Rs for maintenance, provide stronger environmental protections than piecemeal 10‑acre lot splits.
Public input The applicant held a neighborhood meeting; attendees raised concerns about density, flooding/ponding, water hauling, fencing and fire protection. The applicant also submitted 13 letters of support. Commissioners asked staff to confirm which neighbor notices were within 300 feet; staff agreed to follow up before the hearing.
Commission action Vice Chair Paul Wilson moved to recommend approval of SUB‑25‑003; Commissioner Best seconded. The motion passed unanimously (Tohi, Wilson, Best, Berger, Leslie, Hayward, Burton — all aye).
What’s next The commission’s recommendation will go to the Board of Supervisors for final action on the subdivision. If the board approves, the developer would record CC&Rs and construct private roads and utilities; individual building permits and environmental quality review for septic systems will apply at the building‑permit stage.
Provenance Topic intro: “Thank you, madam chair, members of the commission. This case is the Diablo Canyon Subdivision, S U B 25003…” (transcript block_6246.855; excerpt length 160).
Topic finish: “Motion passes.” (transcript block_8614.686; excerpt length 12).
