Planning commission approves multiple zoning text amendments to allow offices in employment zones, raise lot coverage and remove bank CUP requirement

At a meeting of the Queen Creek Planning and Zoning Commission (date not specified), commissioners approved multiple zoning text amendments aimed at updating the town code to reflect current market interest and to remove provisions staff said were difficult to enforce.

The first amendment (identified in the meeting as item P‑5‑7) would allow general offices and medical/dental clinics in EMP‑A (light industrial) and EMP‑B (heavy industrial) districts where those uses previously required conditional approval or were prohibited. Staff said the change followed comparisons with neighboring East Valley jurisdictions and came after inquiries from potential users. Zachary (presenting) summarized the change and noted an additional code cleanup: removal of a provision in section 4.64 that limited commercial businesses to three deliveries in a 24‑hour period; staff said they have no practical way to monitor or enforce that limit.

The commission approved that amendment after a motion from Commissioner Spencer and a second; no members of the public spoke on the item. The motion passed on a recorded vote with commissioners voting aye.

A separate text amendment (identified as P25‑0078 in the hearing) increases allowable lot coverage for larger single‑family residential zoning districts by a flat 10 percentage points to respond to homeowner requests and to align more closely with surrounding municipalities. Eric, presenting that item, said the change will give property owners more flexibility to add accessory structures, accessory dwelling units and barns while retaining Queen Creek’s guidance to protect its equestrian and rural character. Commissioner Matheson moved the change and Commissioner Hale seconded; the motion passed on roll call with no public speakers.

A third amendment (P25‑0079) eliminates the conditional‑use permit requirement for standalone bank branches that include drive‑through teller lanes, while preserving conditional review where a drive‑through ATM or other stand‑alone lane raises circulation or other impacts. Staff described the proposal as intended to remove an extra step for bank applicants after several recent bank applications had proceeded with no opposition. A motion to approve passed with all commissioners voting in favor.

All three items were approved with no public comment at the hearing. The transcript records roll call “aye” votes from the commissioners present for each motion; staff will bring required ordinance language back to the commission and town council for final codification.