Cochise County commission approves setback variance for two fiber‑optic equipment buildings

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a variance during its meeting to reduce the minimum setback along the north property line from 20 feet to 10 feet for two existing fiber‑optic equipment buildings on Tax Parcel 407‑53‑021, a roughly 20‑acre property near the intersection of Glen and Rocky roads.

Planning staff told the commission the request sought relief from Cochise County zoning regulations (staff referenced section 2.1804 and the variance evaluation factors in section 2.60.010). Staff said the two existing utility buildings are a permitted use in the R‑36 residential zoning district, the nearest residence is about 1,000 feet to the southwest, and that public notification (a legal ad, mailed notices and posting) produced no responses; staff recommended approval without special conditions.

The commission heard from an applicant representative and the general contractor. The general contractor said one smaller building had been permitted and inspected previously and that a difference in how the original site plan was measured (from the property line versus edge of pavement) likely caused the setback discrepancy. He described the structures as equipment buildings housing fiber infrastructure used by third‑party carriers (he referenced Zayo Group and said the site serves fiber customers such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and AT&T). The applicant said the variance request is to regularize the existing placement of the two buildings rather than to authorize a change in use.

Commission members asked whether the approved variance would cover additional future buildings on the parcel. Planning staff and board members clarified that the variance applies only to the two existing structures named in the docket; any future buildings would need to comply with the 20‑foot setback or seek their own variance. One commissioner suggested language to preserve that limitation; the motion ultimately approved the variance “without special conditions” as to these two buildings.

A board member moved to approve the docket (recorded in the transcript as BAR/VAR 25‑05 or similar docket notation). The motion carried on a voice vote; the record shows the chair called for the ayes and said, “Motion carried.” The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally or the names of individual votes.

At the end of the meeting staff announced a June 25 meeting date and that Christine has accepted the county development services director position and will serve as planning division manager; staff also said Deputy County Attorney Whitehead will be introduced to the commission at a future meeting.

The variance regularizes the current placement of two existing equipment buildings along the north property line but does not create standing permission for additional buildings on the site.