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Board approves Doney Park rezoning for self‑storage after neighbors voice access and property‑value concerns
Summary
After public comment and staff briefing, supervisors voted unanimously to rezone a 1.87‑acre parcel at 7725 N. U.S. Highway 89 to commercial general for a self‑storage project, agreeing a condition that preserves existing Dalgowski Drive access until a permitted north easement is built.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 19 approved a zone change for a 1.87‑acre Doney Park parcel at 7725 N. U.S. Highway 89 to commercial general (CG‑10,000) so the owner may develop a self‑storage facility. The vote was unanimous, but several supervisors and neighbors discussed access and property‑value concerns before approval.
What the board approved: The board adopted Ordinance 2025‑06, changing the southern portion of the parcel from AR‑2.5 (agricultural residential, 2.5‑acre minimum) to CG‑10,000 for the portion proposed as commercial. The record shows the site plan maps access to Highway 89 via a recorded northern easement; the applicant must obtain an ADOT encroachment permit and county permits before commercial development proceeds.
Neighbors’ concerns: Two nearby residents — Bridget Smith and Tim Dalgowski — told the board they oppose commercial rezoning and expressed concerns about losing access to their properties. They said a long‑used informal drive (described variously in the record as Delagowski/Dalgowski Drive) has provided decades of access; they also said the property owner has listed the parcel for sale and that driveway changes could require them to remove trees, regrade and pay to reconfigure their existing driveway. Both asked the board to preserve the existing access during any development.
Staff analysis and planning commission recommendation: Community Development staff (Jess McNeely) told the board the parcel has split zoning and that a legal, recorded 30‑foot access easement along the north property line (recorded in 1979) was intended to provide access to Highway 89. Staff said the county cannot issue permits for the commercial half until the applicant obtains a DOT encroachment permit and builds access that meets county and ADOT standards. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, finding the request consistent with the county comprehensive plan and the Doney Park Timberline Fernwood area plan and noting the rezoning resolves split‑zoning and access safety issues.
Board amendment and condition: Several supervisors sought explicit protection for neighbors’ access while the new permitted access is built. The board adopted an amended condition requiring that, “Pending the construction of legal access as set forth in condition 1, the current access labeled as Dalgowski Drive shall remain open and unobstructed to provide access to the property owners to the east.” The ordinance also requires the approved site plan to be followed and for the applicant to obtain ADOT and county permits.
Why this matters: The decision resolves a long‑standing split‑zoning and access issue at a site that has an abandoned church building on the southern portion of the parcel. Supervisors said the commercial use proposed (self‑storage) is consistent with adjacent commercial uses (RV and storage facilities) to the north; residents said they fear commercial sprawl and loss of private access. The board’s added condition is intended to ensure continuity of access for existing neighbors while the legal access is permitted and built.
Vote: The board approved the ordinance and conditions by unanimous voice vote.
