Graham County planning panel issues mixed recommendations on five rezoning requests

The Graham County Planning and Zoning Commission on an advisory vote sent three favorable and two unfavorable rezoning recommendations to the Board of Supervisors after presentations, public comment and technical questions.

The commission is advisory; the Board of Supervisors will make the final decisions. Commissioners and staff repeatedly told applicants that the board will ask more detailed questions and that applicants should attend the supervisors’ meeting.

Why it matters: The cases would change allowable uses on parcels across Graham County — enabling single-family parcels, small-lot residential development, duplexes, and commercial/manufacturing uses — with potential impacts on drainage, septic capacity, road access and neighborhood character.

Key decisions and discussion

2725 North Shiflett Avenue (REZ APN 10545087, about 1.7 acres). Applicant Jeff Green asked to rezone from general agricultural land use ("A") to a single-family residential category the applicant and staff referred to as R&R. Green said the change would allow him and his wife to build a smaller house behind their existing 2,900-square-foot home “and perhaps rent the house out to one of our children or sell it to one of our children.” The commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. The commission chair and staff reminded Green to attend the supervisors’ hearing.

12.2 acres north of Arcadia Avenue and Sonora Skies Road (REZ92725, APN 10628081). Donovan Kerr requested a rezoning from Special Development (SD) to AR-3 (3-acre agricultural residential) to allow noncommercial home construction and give the owner flexibility for a future minor land split. Kerr described his plans as retirement housing near the adjacent monastery and said he hopes to divide the 12.2 acres into roughly three-acre parcels for family use. Commissioners voiced no opposition and the panel moved and seconded a favorable recommendation to the board.

1998 South Robinson Ranch Road, Thatcher (REZ92925, APN 10439197, about 0.907 acre). Guy Nolan asked to rezone from single-family residential (R&R) to a multifamily/residential category to allow two duplexes (four dwelling units total). Nolan said the duplexes would be single-story, two-bedroom, two-bath units intended as starter housing or short-term rentals for local workers. Neighbors submitted a written opposition and several residents spoke, raising concerns about septic capacity, road conditions, existing large-lot neighborhood character and the absence of public sewer. County staff said septic design and reserve areas would need to be shown and that the site’s sewer connection is a mile away. After discussion, the commission voted to send an unfavorable recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

Multiple parcels north of Highway 70 east of San Sanchez Road, Solomon (REZ APN series 107502001, 10748001, 10748002A, 10749002C; combined about 224.5 acres). Peter Velasquez asked to rezone several parcels from general agricultural land use (A) to commercial-manufacturing (referred to in the record as commercial/manufacturing, CM) to allow future commercial development on land he described as damaged farmland ("hot ground") and unlikely to return to productive agriculture. Velasquez said parts of the property are flood-prone and that the parcels front an older highway strip he said could be redeveloped for services. Several neighbors asked about traffic and access; the commission moved and seconded a favorable recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

APN 10535180, south of Highway 70 east of Alder Lane (REZ3125, about 2.5 acres). Owner Tom Palmer requested rezoning from A (general agricultural) to RSV (single-family residential, smaller-lot category) to allow smaller residential lots where existing infrastructure (water, sewer and gas mains) already exists. Multiple neighbors testified in opposition, citing floodplain and drainage risk, traffic and pedestrian-safety concerns on Alder Lane, and uncertainty about legal property boundaries and access. County engineering staff explained that homes in an AO floodplain would likely need elevation, retention and detailed drainage plans and that individual versus community retention could affect downstream impacts. Commissioners cited unanswered questions — including surveys, access, and exact plans — and voted to send an unfavorable recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

Votes at a glance

- REZ APN 10545087 (Jeff Green, 1.7 acres): Favorable recommendation to Board of Supervisors; outcome: advisory recommendation approved by commission. - REZ92725 APN 10628081 (Donovan Kerr, 12.2 acres): Favorable recommendation to Board of Supervisors. - REZ92925 APN 10439197 (Guy Nolan, ~0.9 acre): Unfavorable recommendation to Board of Supervisors (commissioners cited infrastructure and neighborhood-character concerns). - REZ (Velasquez) APNs 107502001 / 10748001 / 10748002A / 10749002C (combined ~224.5 acres): Favorable recommendation to Board of Supervisors; applicant described portions of the frontage as no longer farmable and proposed commercial/manufacturing zoning. - REZ3125 APN 10535180 (Tom Palmer, 2.5 acres): Unfavorable recommendation to Board of Supervisors; neighbors and staff raised floodplain, drainage and access issues.

What’s next: Each rezoning will be considered by the Graham County Board of Supervisors; commission staff advised applicants and residents that the board typically asks more detailed engineering, survey and infrastructure information. The commission noted the next supervisors meeting date on the record as April 7 at 8 a.m.

Sources: Public testimony and applicant presentations at the Graham County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting; staff remarks recorded in the meeting transcript.