Planning commission rejects request to expand Saguaro Man-style events after neighbors cite fire, dust and safety concerns

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 12 rejected SU-24-26, a special-use authorization request by Arizona Artistic LLC to permit up to eight recreational camping events per year on an 80-acre RU-10 property near Wilcox, including the organization’s large spring event colloquially known as Saguaro Man.

Staff summarized the request and described prior administrative special-event permits the county has issued for the property. The application sought authorization for up to eight events per year (staff noted that would equate to 28 event days when setup and dismantle are included) and said the largest spring event historically has drawn roughly 1,000–1,300 participants while smaller "decompression" events typically draw a few hundred. Staff reported significant neighborhood opposition: 32 notices were mailed within…