Board approves McLean Meadows/Arcana Resort and workforce manufactured‑home subdivision in Valley with infrastructure commitments

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 14 unanimously approved an ordinance and a preliminary plat for McLean Meadows, a combined resort and manufactured‑home workforce housing project in the Valley area.

Staff presented the master plan and recommended conditions after a unanimous recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The approvals rezone an 82.25‑acre parcel to Resort Commercial (RC) with an approved master plan for 150 detached commercial lodging units (Arcana Resort) and rezone a 40.04‑acre parcel to Manufactured Home Park (MHP) with a 151‑lot preliminary plat for workforce housing. The developer committed to internal maintained roads, a community water system and wastewater treatment (piped systems permitted by the Arizona Department of Water Resources and ADEQ), more than 180,000 gallons of dedicated storage for firefighting, and voluntary CC&Rs that would prohibit short‑term rentals in the workforce lots.

Developer Ryan Scott told the board the mixed‑use approach combines hospitality and workforce housing to create infrastructure that benefits the broader Valley community. "By combining them together at this scale ... it's really 1 plus 1 plus 3 equals 3," Scott said, describing partnerships with hospitality operator Arcana and financiers.

Ryan Scott’s team also described a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona to donate several workforce lots for permanent affordable housing. Eric Wilburton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona, told the board the project’s infrastructure makes permanent affordable homebuilding feasible in Valley.

Public input was mixed. Thad Johnson, a long‑time Valley resident, urged larger lot sizes and warned of light and noise impacts given the proposed density. Miranda Baldowski requested an updated Valley area plan to guide growth. Staff noted that state law and county practice do not permit zoning decisions to be tied to a specific owner: zoning runs with the land; assurances come through the master plan, preliminary‑plat conditions, final plat requirements, and bonding or construction of infrastructure within an 18‑month timeframe.

Chief Trotter of High Country Fire said his volunteer district can provide services and that the developer’s pledged contribution (roughly $180,000, described as a multi‑year commitment) would help with apparatus and personnel‑support initiatives; he said a permanent fire station site has been reserved nearby in a related approval.

Supervisors said the project could supply needed workforce homes and act as a catalyst for water and wastewater infrastructure in the Valley. After deliberation, Supervisor Tammy Ontiveros moved to adopt Ordinance 2025‑07 (zone change); the board also adopted Resolution 2025‑61 approving the subdivision preliminary plat. Both votes were unanimous. Conditions require development in accordance with the approved master plan, final‑plat submittal within 18 months or bonding for infrastructure, and compliance with county permitting (ADOT encroachment/turn lanes, ADEQ water/wastewater approvals, and fire‑service subscriptions as required).

Next steps: the developer must complete final plat submittal or bond infrastructure work within the time stated in the resolution; the County will continue working with the developer and High Country Fire to advance fire protection and infrastructure service agreements.