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Commission approves special use for Fort Grant contract construction business with dust‑mitigation conditions
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved SU25‑24 Oct. 8, a special‑use authorization allowing a contract construction/drilling business to operate on multiple parcels near Fort Grant Road, subject to modified screening conditions and gravel/vegetative dust mitigation after neighbor complaints about blowing dust.
The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission approved special use SU25‑24 on Oct. 8, allowing a contract construction services business operated by Kyle and Jennifer Wortman to continue on four parcels near 1270–1282 North Fort Grant Road, with conditions intended to mitigate dust and visual impacts.
Staff described the site as four parcels totaling roughly 16 acres in an R‑36 zone, with about 10.8 acres used for equipment parking and storage. Staff said the business has operated on the site since about 2014 and is near residences, the City of Wilcox boundary and Interstate 10. Neighbors raised concerns at the hearing about fugitive dust and sand blowing onto adjacent properties during Wilcox’s high‑wind months.
Neighbor Danelle Cappell told the commission the dust has “overwhelmed our property,” described an estimate of roughly $11,000 to remove wind‑blown sand from a fence line and asked for a continuous 7‑foot cinder‑block wall, chip sealing of the cleared 16 acres and regular monitoring if the special use is granted. Kevin Kaffel and Rick Northey also described dust problems and differing perspectives: Kaffel asked for time‑limited conditions and hard surfaces or walls; Northey supported the Wortmans and said some dust is regional.
Applicant Jennifer Wortman and supporter Ted Hawes said the family had invested in gravel, landscaping and sprinklers and had spent about $10,000 after a complaint to abate dust; Wortman told commissioners they would continue mitigation efforts. Wortman agreed the family would comply with county requirements but said it was costly and time consuming.
Commissioners and staff negotiated conditions at length. The commission amended staff recommendation language for the parcel adjacency screening requirement: instead of a mandatory 6‑foot cinder‑block wall, commissioners required “solid screening or landscape that achieves the equivalent screening goal over time” along the property line adjacent to parcel 2029017‑003D and similar shared lines; they also replaced a chip‑seal requirement with a requirement for a minimum 2‑inch gravel surface or drought‑tolerant native vegetation in active parking/drive areas to reduce fugitive dust. Staff clarified driveways and parking areas must be covered to county driveway standards and that the project remains subject to county right‑of‑way, floodplain and fire‑safety permits.
The motion to approve SU25‑24 with the revised conditions passed unanimously. Commissioners said they sought a balance between supporting the local business and addressing near‑term dust impacts for neighbors; staff will track permit compliance and the applicant must record required permits and plans before commercial activity expands.
Ending: The commission’s approval is a special‑use authorization with conditions; neighbors were advised of appeal rights to the Board of Supervisors.
