Queen Creek council approves Safeway fuel station at Harvest Station commercial center

The Queen Creek Town Council on April 2 unanimously approved a conditional use permit and site plan for a Safeway fuel station at the Harvest Station Commercial Center, located at the northwest corner of Riggs Road and Gary Road, the council heard.

Principal Planner Sarah Clark told the council the proposal includes a 3,000-square-foot convenience store and a roughly 4,300-square-foot fuel canopy with six pumps, and that the canopy would sit about 190 feet from the nearest existing residential property line. Clark said the applicant proposes 18 parking stalls, a double row of pistachio trees along the drive aisle, and an eight‑foot solid wall (stepping down to four feet near Riggs) to buffer nearby homes. Clark also noted the site plan shows the fuel station would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that fuel stations must obtain additional state and county environmental permits beyond the town approvals.

The project drew written opposition from residents: staff reported nine emails representing 11 separate property addresses and recounted a November neighborhood meeting at which attendees raised environmental concerns, lighting, noise, traffic, hours of operation and the proximity of an existing Circle K station to the northeast. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5–0 after a special meeting that included two public speakers who opposed the proposal.

Ralph Pugh, who identified himself as the applicant's representative, asked the council to approve the permit and emphasized buffering and modern controls on fuel equipment and canopy lighting. "We urge your support and approval of this conditional use permit," Pugh told the council. He noted the approved 2020 site plan anticipated a fuel station at this corner and that the 2024 amendment consolidated major retail parcels to accommodate a Safeway grocery anchor.

Council Member Brown said he was satisfied that the applicant worked with neighbors on additional screening and lighting reductions and that required disclosures and buyer advisories protect future homebuyers. "I'm pleased that we will still have some retail or are already getting some retail on this corner," Brown said, adding he was comfortable with the buffering measures the applicant proposed.

After brief council discussion and confirmation that environmental oversight falls to state and county agencies as well as permit conditions required by the town, the council approved the conditional use permit by voice vote, 7–0.

Planning staff indicated the applicant must still secure required environmental permits before building permits would be issued; the council did not set additional conditions beyond those in the staff report and site plan.