Planning commission recommends approval of Dynamite Water hauling depot in Rio Verde Foothills

The Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 23 recommended approval, by a 9-0 vote, of Special Use Permit SU240025 to allow a Dynamite Water truck depot on a 2.4-acre site in the Rio Verde/Rio Verde Foothills area.

Why it matters: The proposal would centralize water-hauling operations that currently stage trucks at industrial depots or private residences across the region. County staff and the applicant said the depot would reduce long drives from the Deer Valley depot, aid wildfire response and resolve potential zoning violations tied to truck storage at homes, while opponents raised concerns about dust and traffic.

County staff told commissioners the permit is recommended subject to conditions a through l, with a handout amending condition l to account for an ultimate right-of-way that could change a required setback. Staff noted 10 letters of opposition, “primarily concerned with dust and traffic,” and described the site on Rio Verde Drive as “the most optimal location for such an arterial.” The presentation said Dynamite Water already holds a U.S. Forest Service contract and that the facility would assist firefighting operations.

Carolyn Oberholtzer, an attorney with the law firm Bergen, Frank, Smalley & Oberholtzer, spoke for the applicant and said the proposal had been discussed at a neighborhood meeting. “Once it was understood that this is limited to 4 trucks, and that the current trucks ... travel every day 27 miles from the Deer Valley Depot ... and understood that these are coming and going with only a projected 16 trips a day total out of the site,” Oberholtzer said, adding the operation would be conducted within doors and that a nearby property owner had sent a letter of support.

A resident, Steve Johns of 11424 N. 701st Street, asked whether there were any planned improvements to the road immediately east of the site. Staff answered that there are currently no county-dedicated roads in that location, that the county is reserving right-of-way on the west side of the property, and that the site drive will be paved with ingress from the west and egress to the east.

Commissioner Finter moved to recommend approval with the stated conditions; Commissioner Layton seconded. Roll-call votes recorded “yes” from Commissioners Finter, Hernandez, Lawrence, Layton, Chairman Lindblom, Vice Chair Mulhavin, Commissioner Rockwallak, Commissioner Toma and Commissioner Whitney. The motion carried 9-0.

The record includes letters of opposition focused on dust and traffic. Staff and the applicant said vehicle trips would be limited and that centralizing the business would reduce long-distance vehicle travel from other facilities and private properties. The commission’s action was a recommendation to proceed under the permit conditions; any further administrative steps were not specified in the hearing record.