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Supervisors approve La Salvia Dairy rezoning with limits on height and density after neighbors object
Summary
The board approved a rezoning and comprehensive-plan amendment to allow medium-density residential development on the La Salvia Dairy site, with stipulations limiting height and density after neighbors raised concerns about traffic, road capacity and preserving local rural character.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a comprehensive-plan amendment and rezoning for the La Salvia Dairy property, clearing the way for a medium-density residential project with restrictions the board added or accepted as stipulations.
Why it matters: the site lies in the Laveen area near Dobbins Road, where residents told the board the existing local roads and rural character will be affected by higher-density housing. County staff and the applicant said the project aligns with surrounding development and city of Phoenix roadway plans that anticipate higher traffic and collector-class improvements.
Neighbors pressed the board for protections. Jeremy Schroeder, who said his property borders the dairy, asked whether a signed protest by landowners would trigger a super-majority vote; county staff said a valid petition from property owners representing at least 20% of the immediate surrounding area (and 20% of that land area) would trigger a super-majority requirement, and that as of the hearing date the petition threshold had not been met. Schroeder also asked whether a two-story limit would be enforced; county staff explained the RUPD (rezoning use permit and development) sets a 40-foot/2-story maximum for the project.
Other neighbors said local infrastructure is already constrained. Erica (Bridal) Garcia said the area is primarily horse properties and that Dobbins Road and nearby canals leave limited room for new lanes. The applicant acknowledged the history of agricultural use but said the property owner has opted to sell and that surrounding parcels already include medium-density zoning and three-story apartments in nearby city of Phoenix parcels. Applicant counsel characterized the requested zoning as a reduced intensity relative to what the plan category could allow, noting the application reduced density expectations from a typical 25–35 dwelling units per acre down to a maximum of 15 units per acre and added a stipulation limiting buildings to two stories.
Planning staff said the city of Phoenix transportation plan classifies Dobbin Road as a major collector and requires build-out standards the applicant will meet; the applicant said it will construct required road improvements and abide by City of Phoenix and county standards for traffic and drainage. The board discussed the need to coordinate with the City of Phoenix and emphasized that Dobbins Road buildout will be required as part of the development process.
The vote: a supervisor moved the motion to approve items 16 and 17; another seconded and the board approved the rezoning and plan amendment. The board also said supervisors would continue to work with city staff and the councilwoman representing the area to ensure road improvements on Dobbins Road met future needs.
What’s next: the developer will proceed with design and permitting subject to the RUPD stipulations (maximum 15 DU/acre and a 40-foot / two-story limit) and to required road and drainage improvements to City of Phoenix standards. The county will coordinate with Phoenix and will enforce the stipulated design limits at the plan-of-development stage.
Speakers at the hearing included two residents who testified in opposition and counsel for the applicant; county planning staff answered procedural and petition-threshold questions for the board.
