Council rezones airport industrial parcel to I‑2; medical waste processor may pursue more intensive options subject to permits

The City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 1178.457 on Monday, changing zoning for a 1.66‑acre parcel at 3017 North Rockwell from Garden and Light Industrial (I‑1) to General Industrial (I‑2) in the Donovan Kramer Airport Industrial Park.

Planning staff, presented by James Gagliardi, said the change would permit a broader range of industrial and manufacturing operations that may be appropriate in the airport industrial park. Staff noted both I‑1 and I‑2 zones exist in the park and that the property is within the city’s manufacturing and industry general plan category.

Gagliardi said the parcel currently hosts medical waste activities that do not rise to the level of I‑2 intensity, but rezoning to I‑2 would permit the owner to propose more intensive operations in the future. Council members asked whether the installation of an incinerator or autoclave would require outside approvals; staff confirmed that proposed incineration or similar processing would require environmental approvals (including Arizona Department of Environmental Quality permits) and be subject to conditional use permit review and Planning Commission consideration.

At its Nov. 7 Planning Commission meeting the commission voted 6–1 to forward the recommendation to council; the chair was the lone dissenting vote. Council approved Ordinance 1178.457 by roll call vote with all members voting yes.

Staff said any new building or expansion would also require a major site plan and Planning Commission review; additional conditions may be imposed at that time to protect surrounding properties and ensure compliance with environmental and airport‑park rules.