Commission recommends zone changes, subdivision plat for Valley hospitality and workforce-housing project

The Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of two zone changes (25-005 and 25-006) and a subdivision plat (SUV 25-007) to the Board of Supervisors for a mixed-use development in the Valley area that combines a wellness-focused hospitality project and workforce housing.

The commission said the proposal addressed key infrastructure and safety concerns raised during the hearing: the developer plans to build two water wells (one redundant), an on-site wastewater treatment system designed to NSF 350 standards with reclaimed irrigation water, a hydrant-and-storage system sized for fire flows, and turn-lane improvements on State Route 64 subject to Arizona Department of Transportation permitting. The applicant and project partners also described an approach they said would reduce on-site density from earlier designs and reserve several lots for Habitat for Humanity.

Project team members said the development would include roughly 130 hospitality units and phased implementation of workforce housing and infrastructure. Jeremy Hill, co-founder of Arcana, described the hospitality element as “to help reconnect people with nature,” and said Arcana’s focus is a “nature-first” wellness hospitality category that uses data to shape guest experiences. Ian Braun, owner of C D and E, described the civil design and fire protections, saying, “We're gonna be designing for a 1,500 gallons per minute for 2 hour fire flows,” and that hydrants will be located within about 500 feet of all dwelling units.

Several residents spoke during the public comment period with concerns about traffic, public participation, and infrastructure for existing subdivisions. Michelle Okelsby Flores asked whether turn lanes would be sufficient for what she estimated could be “300 more cars per day” and questioned whether a proposed fire district would benefit all valley residents. Miranda Baldalski said there are “currently over 285 vacant lots for sale right now in Valley” and urged the county to prioritize infrastructure for existing lots before approving new rezonings.

Commissioners said they appreciated the applicants’ community outreach, the design effort to reduce visible disturbance along Highway 64, and proposed infrastructure improvements that could serve the wider area. Commissioners Tohey, Wilson, Best, Berger, Leslie, Hayward and Chair Burton each voted aye on both motions; the commission’s action was a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors rather than a final approval.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to recommend approval of zone change 25-005 and zone change 25-006 to the Board of Supervisors: mover — Vice Chair Wilson; second — Commissioner Berger; vote — unanimous (Commissioners Tohey, Wilson, Best, Berger, Leslie, Hayward; Chair Burton) — outcome: recommendation approved. - Motion to recommend approval of subdivision plat SUV 25-007 to the Board of Supervisors: mover — Commissioner Best; second — Vice Chair Wilson; vote — unanimous (Tohey, Wilson, Best, Berger, Leslie, Hayward; Chair Burton) — outcome: recommendation approved.

What remains: The commission’s votes forward the zone change and plat recommendations for final action by the Board of Supervisors; ADOT review of the proposed turn-lane work and any encroachment permit approvals remain outstanding, as do final engineering approvals for the water and wastewater systems and any financing or partner commitments for the workforce housing lots reserved for Habitat for Humanity. The applicants said they plan a phased implementation and that final approvals and funding are necessary before construction can begin.