Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Roads topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County sets public hearing to declare James Ranch Road a county road; drainage and east‑west connection draw questions
Summary
Staff asked the board to set a public hearing to declare James Ranch Road a county highway so the county can acquire right‑of‑way and proceed with design and construction; supervisors and staff discussed drainage constraints, an East–West connection to Kings Highway, and private landowner concerns.
Cochise County staff asked the Board of Supervisors to set a public hearing to declare James Ranch Road a county road. Staff said the road is not currently a declared county highway and that acquiring right‑of‑way and declaring it a county road are prerequisites to final design and construction.
Miss Watkins, county staff, described plans for two major access points and said the team aims for a circulation connection between James Ranch Road and Kings Highway to support commercial development near the new port of entry. Watkins said three major drainage channels cross the area and that a proposed access location near the port of entry would not work because it would cross 11 box culverts. She said 60% design plans will be available in September and that the county will meet property owners to address access and other concerns.
Staff and supervisors discussed a property owner who previously withdrew a truck‑stop application due to the proposed alignment; staff said the current plan is designed to accommodate overall circulation and drainage, not a single parcel. Staff confirmed NEPA clearance is completed for the project area and said the county will answer individual residents' questions prior to and at the public hearing.
Supervisors asked that the item be moved from consent to an action item so the board can discuss the plan; staff said the request on the agenda is to set the date for a public hearing and that the actual public hearing will provide additional opportunities for information and comment.
No final decisions were made at the work session. Staff said they would provide a packet of questions and attachments that previously went to the Planning and Zoning Commission and will continue coordinating with the city of Douglas and Arizona Department of Transportation on circulation and annexation considerations.
