Planning commission approves New River RV storage special use permit, 25-year term

The Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 9-1 on May 8 to recommend approval of case SU240022, a special use permit (SUP) for a proposed RV and boat storage facility on roughly 2.1 acres near the northeast corner of Black Canyon Highway and New River Road in the New River area.

Staff told the commission the SUP site is part of a 3.43-acre parent parcel and that the applicant proposes 51 parking stalls, a water storage tank, RV dump and wash stations, and an office with employee parking. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions a–n in the staff report and an updated handout memo. "Staff is supportive of the SUP," staff said during the presentation.

The applicant, represented by Peter Furlough of Quarles & Brady, said the operation will be secured access with an eight-foot CMU perimeter wall and limited building improvements. Furlough said the applicant had consulted neighbors and sought to tailor conditions — including a 20-foot limit on covered bays and special lighting controls — to address visual and noise concerns. "As far as the duration goes, we're requesting for, 25 years on the SUP," Furlough said.

One commissioner had the item pulled from consent for discussion and raised scenic corridor and elevation concerns because the area is adjacent to the Agua Fria River and has a county design guideline scenic corridor. County staff responded that the SUP format and added conditions (stronger lighting and operational limits) were intended to address scenic and visual concerns.

Public comment received by staff before the hearing included five letters of support and one letter of opposition. The applicant said the closest comparable storage facility is about 5.5 miles away and is at capacity.

After discussion the commission approved the SUP with a motion to recommend approval; the motion passed 9-1. The record shows Commissioner Toma voted no; the rest voted yes. The commission noted the SUP conditions — including wall height, setback, lighting and hours — will run with the land and remain enforceable if ownership changes.

The matter now goes to the Board of Supervisors for final action.

Ending

The commission clerk recorded the recommendation as approved by a roll-call vote of 9 to 1; the applicant and staff said they will implement the conditions described in the staff report and the handout memo as the case progresses through final permits.