Maricopa County Board of Adjustment re-elects Loper as chair; Person chosen as vice chair

The Maricopa County Board of Adjustment unanimously re-elected Chairman Loper and selected Member Person as vice chair during its Jan. 16, 2025, meeting, the board said at the Maricopa County Planning and Development Office.

The vote formalized nominations made during the meeting. Member Ward nominated Loper for another term as chair; the board seconded and approved the nomination by roll call. Member Carden later nominated Person for vice chair; that nomination also passed on a roll-call vote of 5-0.

Board leadership determines who conducts hearings and who identifies makers of motions and seconds during the board’s quasi-judicial land-use hearings. The board meets as the Maricopa County Board of Adjustment, which hears variance and special-use requests under the county zoning code. Chairman Loper opened the meeting and handled the nominations and roll-call votes.

During the discussion Loper noted his long service on the board and said he might encourage rotation of leadership in future years. “I’ve been on this board for 12 years. I’ve been chair for the last 6, 7, 8 years pre pandemic, and I enjoy it. And I especially enjoy the pay,” Loper said.

The board completed the election by roll call; members Carden, Clapp, Ward, Vice Chair Person and Chairman Loper recorded “yes” on both officer votes. The meeting notice and agenda were posted in accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes § 38-431.02 and related open-meeting requirements, the chair said.