Commission forwards 369‑acre Kings Highway rezoning and plan amendment to Board of Supervisors amid mixed public reaction

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to forward two concurrent requests — CPA25‑02 (comprehensive plan amendment) and RZ25‑04 (rezoning) — to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval. The requests would change about 369 acres along Kings Highway west of Douglas from RU‑4/rural to a developing designation and to a light industrial zoning district.

Scope and staff rationale: county planning staff described the parcels (tax parcels 40834‑004 A and 004 D among them) as undeveloped acreage adjacent to properties already carrying a “developing” designation and expected industrial demand tied to the planned new port of entry about 4.5 miles west of the existing crossing. Staff noted the port project area is roughly 80 acres and told the commission construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2025 with substantial completion projected in 2028; staff emphasized that rezoning would create lands suitable for warehousing and logistics that typically cluster near ports.

Public comments and concerns: the hearing drew several residents who said they live on Posey Ranch Road and Kings Highway and expressed worries about changes to rural character, the potential for 24‑hour truck operations, lighting, security and drainage. Speakers included Lori Odle (3313 West Posey Ranch Road), Pat Shank (3401 West Puzzy Ranch Road), and architect Steven Helfrich, who urged a comprehensive drainage plan and more detailed site-level studies. Resident comments referenced wildlife impacts and potential reductions in property values.

Staff conditions and commission direction: staff attached recommended special conditions to a Board referral, including right-of-way dedications per exhibits, a 20‑foot landscape buffer at development along property lines shared with existing residences (staff suggested stronger landscaping at time of development), and wildlife surveys to incorporate Arizona Game and Fish Department recommendations during final site design. Commissioners asked the applicant (Arden Arizona LLC) to work with staff to increase separation and buffering from the adjacent residences; several commissioners proposed substantially larger landscape buffers (a 100‑foot buffer was explicitly requested by one commissioner during discussion) and asked the applicant to pursue that with staff before the Board of Supervisors hearing.

Commission votes and next steps: the commission voted to forward the comprehensive plan amendment and the rezoning to the Board of Supervisors with the staff’s recommended conditions; both motions passed by recorded votes in favor. Commissioners and staff noted these are policy-level changes that will be followed by site‑specific permitting and additional studies if the Board approves the rezoning. The items will appear before the Board of Supervisors for final action; nearby residents were reminded of appeal and engagement options at the Board hearing.