Show Low panel approves conditional use permit for guest house at 151 West Whipple
October 29, 2025 | Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona
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The Show Low Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 28 unanimously approved conditional use permit CUP 602-04-278 to allow a detached guest house at 151 West Whipple (APN 210-30-020), staff said.
The permit, submitted by Timothy Barber on behalf of the Barber Family Living Trust, allows a 1,121-square-foot guest house to be built alongside an existing or planned primary residence of 1,927 square feet on a 4.27-acre (about 186,000-square-foot) parcel zoned MH (manufactured housing). Planning staff told the commission the application meets city code standards for guest houses and recommended approval subject to conditions.
Staff planner Celine Atencio told the commission that, under city code 19.60.030(I), a guest house is permitted with a conditional use permit provided minimum lot-size and size limits are met. Atencio said the permit must include shared utilities and driveway: “Both the principal unit and the guest house shall be served by a common single electric and water meter,” and “Primary access to the subject property shall utilize West Whipple.”
Atencio also said the property currently will use an on-site septic system and leach field but must connect to the city sewer line and abandon the septic system if city sewer becomes available within 200 feet of the property line. The public works director recommended extending and connecting to the sewer line prior to beginning construction, staff said.
Neighbors raised concerns about access and wear on an existing private roadway easement west of the parcel. Resident Renee Isaacs said the road easement had historically served back parcels and that she and adjacent neighbors have maintained a portion of the roadway: “All the damage that's happening to the road right now, nobody else is taking care of but us,” she said. Isaacs said she did not oppose the guest house but worried that a separate driveway or added traffic could increase stress on the roadway.
Applicant Belinda Barber, who lives at 151 West Whipple, said the family plans to construct a driveway off West Whipple and that, because of ongoing construction and utility trenches, the timing of the driveway work will be coordinated: “We are gonna put our own driveway…as soon as we get done with most of the stuff.” She said the family expects to stop using the older easement access once their driveway is in place.
Commissioners asked staff for clarification on the sewer requirement and on shared driveway/utility requirements. Atencio said the 200-foot sewer-connection rule applies regardless of the guest house request; in this case the nearest city sewer was approximately 230 feet from the parcel, “give or take,” she said, so connection would be required if the sewer is extended a short distance.
Vice Chair Wilson moved to approve CUP 602-04-278 subject to the staff recommendations and the additional condition introduced at the meeting that primary access be from West Whipple; Commissioner Whipple seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance
CUP 602-04-278 — Approve conditional use permit to allow a detached guest house at 151 West Whipple (APN 210-30-020). Motion by Vice Chair Wilson; second by Commissioner Whipple. Passed unanimously. Condition highlights: shared single electric and water meter; shared driveway; primary access via West Whipple; required connection to city sewer if extended within 200 feet; compliance with all applicable building and fire codes.
Other formal actions taken
The commission also unanimously approved the Sept. 23, 2025 meeting minutes on a motion by Vice Chair Wilson and second by Commissioner Clark.
The director reminded the public that approvals are subject to a seven-day appeal period; if no appeal is filed by a qualifying individual with the city clerk within seven days the CUP will become effective.
Background and context
The parcel is recorded in Navajo County records as 4.27 acres and is zoned MH. Staff reported that transmittal memos were sent to affected agencies and that property posting and mailed notices were sent to property owners within 300 feet; two nearby property owners contacted staff after the report was distributed (one in support, one requesting records and asking about the roadway easement). The commission’s deliberations focused on conformance with city code standards for guest houses, sewer-connection requirements, and neighbors’ access concerns.
The permit, submitted by Timothy Barber on behalf of the Barber Family Living Trust, allows a 1,121-square-foot guest house to be built alongside an existing or planned primary residence of 1,927 square feet on a 4.27-acre (about 186,000-square-foot) parcel zoned MH (manufactured housing). Planning staff told the commission the application meets city code standards for guest houses and recommended approval subject to conditions.
Staff planner Celine Atencio told the commission that, under city code 19.60.030(I), a guest house is permitted with a conditional use permit provided minimum lot-size and size limits are met. Atencio said the permit must include shared utilities and driveway: “Both the principal unit and the guest house shall be served by a common single electric and water meter,” and “Primary access to the subject property shall utilize West Whipple.”
Atencio also said the property currently will use an on-site septic system and leach field but must connect to the city sewer line and abandon the septic system if city sewer becomes available within 200 feet of the property line. The public works director recommended extending and connecting to the sewer line prior to beginning construction, staff said.
Neighbors raised concerns about access and wear on an existing private roadway easement west of the parcel. Resident Renee Isaacs said the road easement had historically served back parcels and that she and adjacent neighbors have maintained a portion of the roadway: “All the damage that's happening to the road right now, nobody else is taking care of but us,” she said. Isaacs said she did not oppose the guest house but worried that a separate driveway or added traffic could increase stress on the roadway.
Applicant Belinda Barber, who lives at 151 West Whipple, said the family plans to construct a driveway off West Whipple and that, because of ongoing construction and utility trenches, the timing of the driveway work will be coordinated: “We are gonna put our own driveway…as soon as we get done with most of the stuff.” She said the family expects to stop using the older easement access once their driveway is in place.
Commissioners asked staff for clarification on the sewer requirement and on shared driveway/utility requirements. Atencio said the 200-foot sewer-connection rule applies regardless of the guest house request; in this case the nearest city sewer was approximately 230 feet from the parcel, “give or take,” she said, so connection would be required if the sewer is extended a short distance.
Vice Chair Wilson moved to approve CUP 602-04-278 subject to the staff recommendations and the additional condition introduced at the meeting that primary access be from West Whipple; Commissioner Whipple seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance
CUP 602-04-278 — Approve conditional use permit to allow a detached guest house at 151 West Whipple (APN 210-30-020). Motion by Vice Chair Wilson; second by Commissioner Whipple. Passed unanimously. Condition highlights: shared single electric and water meter; shared driveway; primary access via West Whipple; required connection to city sewer if extended within 200 feet; compliance with all applicable building and fire codes.
Other formal actions taken
The commission also unanimously approved the Sept. 23, 2025 meeting minutes on a motion by Vice Chair Wilson and second by Commissioner Clark.
The director reminded the public that approvals are subject to a seven-day appeal period; if no appeal is filed by a qualifying individual with the city clerk within seven days the CUP will become effective.
Background and context
The parcel is recorded in Navajo County records as 4.27 acres and is zoned MH. Staff reported that transmittal memos were sent to affected agencies and that property posting and mailed notices were sent to property owners within 300 feet; two nearby property owners contacted staff after the report was distributed (one in support, one requesting records and asking about the roadway easement). The commission’s deliberations focused on conformance with city code standards for guest houses, sewer-connection requirements, and neighbors’ access concerns.
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