Planning commission recommends approval of Sun Basin 3 solar project despite resident concerns

On Jan. 9 the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of CPA 2024003 and Z2024040, allowing development of a 520-acre solar energy facility called Sun Basin 3 on Arizona State Trust land south of Naramore Road and west of 300 and 39th avenues near Arlington.

County planning staff told the commission the site is owned by the Arizona State Land Department, that the project sits in a region where several utility-scale solar facilities already exist, and that staff supports the general plan amendment and zone change with conditions a through h as updated on a Jan. 7 handout. Planning staff said the applicant has supplied an “enhanced setback” that creates a no-build area adjacent to the Arlington residential community and has coordinated with the Arizona Game and Fish Department on fencing that includes small ground-level gaps to allow some wildlife passage.

The application prompted public comment from nearby residents. Charlie Hanson, who identified himself as living at 33812 West Knox Road and as an Arlington resident for 13 years, said the area contains personal and community memories and asked the commission to consider that loss: “I remember all the mornings walking to the bus stop with my big brothers while we sat on our bench and looked at the nature ahead.” Cammy Hansen, also of 33812 West Knox Road, said the panels would border most of the community’s west side and asserted several environmental and safety concerns, including habitat loss, dust, a local heat-island effect and fire risk; she said, “Solar is incredibly inefficient and utilizes a tremendous amount of land.” Andrew Altman, an online speaker, said he opposed the project but was open to learning more.

Carolyn Oberholtzer, attorney for Longroad (presenting for the applicant), described the site as flat land proximate to transmission infrastructure and Palo Verde switchyards and said Sun Basin 3 would continue an existing pattern of utility development in the area. Oberholtzer said the entire parcel is state trust land assigned to the K-12 Common Schools Fund and that proceeds from a lease go to that beneficiary. She described the updated plan of development and the enhanced setback exhibit, and showed examples of slatted fencing used on nearby projects to reduce visual impacts.

Commissioners asked staff whether battery energy storage systems (BESS) were included; staff said none is proposed at this time but that battery storage would be allowed as a future on-site use under the requested zoning. Staff also clarified that the updated stipulations add language to condition C (and related setback conditions) referencing an enhanced-setback exhibit dated 12/27/24, and that in the areas shown on that exhibit “no fencing or solar facilities are permitted.”

Commissioner Montoya moved to recommend approval of CPA 2024003 and Z2024040 with conditions A through H as revised; the motion was seconded by Chair Millhaven and passed by roll call, 5-0. The commission’s action is a recommendation to the County Board of Supervisors; it does not finalize county approvals.

Why it matters: the site is state trust land whose lease revenue is designated for the K-12 Common Schools Fund, the project would add to a cluster of large-scale solar facilities west of Arlington, and neighbors said the proposal could affect local wildlife, outdoor recreation uses and viewshed. The record submitted to the commission includes a petition with 95 signatories representing 47 known property addresses in the project vicinity and an applicant handout that increases the buffer along the community edge.

What’s next: the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the County Board of Supervisors for final action and the applicant’s plan of development will be updated to include the enhanced-setback exhibit if the recommendation is adopted by the board.