Supervisors approve rezoning near Bowie to allow expanded truck stop and truck parking

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors on March 25 unanimously approved a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning that will allow expanded commercial uses — including retail fuel, truck parking and a repair facility — on parcels west of Bowie.

By a 3-0 vote the board adopted Resolution 25-04 and Zoning Ordinance 25-07 to change land-use designation on roughly 33 acres of an 83-acre parcel from "rural" to "developing" (growth area category C) and to rezone multiple parcels from RU-4 (rural) to GB (general business), pursuant to the applicant identified in the staff presentation as Sunaka LLC.

Development Services staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. Matthew Taylor said the site already contains a convenience store and an RV park; the applicant provided a concept plan showing new fuel pumps on the existing convenience store parcel and truck parking and a repair facility on adjacent parcels. The Planning & Zoning Commission approved the land-use and rezoning requests and a concurrent special-use permit for a truck stop by unanimous 9-0 votes on March 12.

Taylor told the board the parcels sit along the Interstate 10 Business Loop and abut railroad right-of-way and public land. Staff said the request would legitimize existing nonconforming commercial use on part of the property and that intensive business uses are appropriate along a major roadway.

No public opposition was recorded in the notice period; staff said property owners within 1,500 feet were notified and one adjacent owner whose parcel was affected by the access plan indicated support. The board voted to adopt the plan amendment and rezoning with no further conditions.

Action: Adopted Resolution 25-04 and Ordinance 25-07 (dockets CPA25-01 and RZ25-02) to change comprehensive plan designation and rezone specified parcels from RU-4 to GB; vote 3-0.