Planning commission approves special-use permit for contractor yard at 3715 E. Keeling Road

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission on a 5-1 vote approved Docket SU25-09, a special-use authorization to allow a contract construction yard at 3715 East Keeling Road.

Staff recommended approval with conditions that require parcel consolidation, establishment of a single-family residence as the principal use, limits on business hours, screening with a solid wall and vegetative buffering, and gravel surfacing for parking and storage areas to reduce dust.

Matthew Taylor, planning staff, presented the case and said the property totals approximately 2.6 acres, is zoned R36 and lies about 2.3 miles south of Sierra Vista. Taylor told the commission that seven of eight applicable zoning factors would be met with the recommended conditions and that staff received one support letter and multiple opposition responses from nearby owners.

The applicant, Ernesto De La Cruz, said he operates a small construction company that stores small equipment and trailers on the site, plans to build a single-family home on the property and would install a six-foot block wall (he agreed in discussion to a seven-foot decorative block wall if required). He told the commission he has cleaned debris from an on-site wash and would continue removing inherited debris.

Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing expressed conditional support for the proposal if dust, noise and hours are restricted and if screening is installed. Lisa Obel, who joined remotely, opposed the request citing concerns about property values, dust and noise. David Lancaster, a neighbor, said he supported approval with conditions, including a taller decorative wall and clear hours of operation.

During commission discussion, members pressed the applicant about equipment type, hours, dust mitigation and the location of the proposed wall and residence. Commissioner Montgomery repeatedly emphasized that the yard would be storage-only and not a place for construction to occur, and he urged conditions to address appearance and neighbor concerns.

The motion to approve Docket SU25-09 carried with recorded votes: Commissioner Montgomery (yes), Commissioner Gonzales (yes), Commissioner Fickett (yes), Commissioner Martzke (yes) and Chair DePew (yes, with reservation). Commissioner Lindbach voted no. Commissioner Saunders was absent. The commission’s approval is subject to standard permitting and to the listed conditions; appeals of special-use decisions may be filed to the Board of Supervisors within 15 days.

The commission’s action does not itself resolve any outstanding code-enforcement matters on the site; the applicant acknowledged existing debris inherited with the property and committed to clean-up in coordination with county staff.