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Commission approves conditional-use permit for St. Anthony Catholic School expansion
Summary
The Show Low Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional-use permit allowing St. Anthony Catholic School to expand at 1283 E. Owens, authorizing a multipurpose building of about 25,643 square feet, 39 new parking spaces, and conditions including compliance with ADOT requirements and construction of solid fencing adjacent to residential.
The Show Low Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously at its February 2025 meeting to approve Conditional Use Permit 60204270, allowing St. Anthony Catholic School to expand onto an adjacent parcel at 1283 E. Owens (APN 210-21019 A).
Planning staff said the proposal calls for a multipurpose facility of approximately 25,643 square feet that would include additional classrooms and a gymnasium, along with 39 new parking spaces to meet code. The proposed site sits west of the school's existing modular structures and is split between C-1 (neighborhood commercial) and R-17 (single-family residential) zoning; private schools are a conditional use in R-17.
Staff told commissioners that Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) commented that a traffic-impact analysis and statement will be required; staff recommended conditioning the permit to require compliance with all applicable federal, state and local requirements, and reiterated that ADOT requirements must be met. The staff report also recommended that a solid-material fence be constructed along the west and north property boundaries where the school borders residential properties; staff said the project representative indicated the fencing was already planned.
Bob Higgins, representing the applicant, said the school hopes to begin construction in late spring or early summer 2025 and expects the contractor to complete the project within about a year of start. "We would start this spring ... and we would complete it within a year of starting," Higgins said.
Commissioner Adams moved to approve CUP 60204270 subject to staff recommendations; Vice Chair Roberts seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Director-level staff noted the standard seven-day appeal period; if no qualified appeal is filed with the City Clerk within seven days, the permit becomes effective as conditioned.
During discussion, commissioners asked staff to clarify the ADOT requirement and whether the separate fencing condition was mandatory. Staff explained the ADOT comment was raised through the transmittal process; because the project is not adjacent to an ADOT highway, staff found the referral "odd" but reiterated that if ADOT requires improvements they must be complied with. Staff said the fencing recommendation could be made a formal condition of approval if the commission so chose; the applicant said they were already planning the fence.
No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing; staff said transmittal memos were sent to affected agencies and property owners within 300 feet and two phone calls had been received with questions but no written opposition.
