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Planning commission recommends Hassayampa Ranch comp-plan change to industrial despite neighbor opposition
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 8–0 to recommend approval of CPA25008, a major comprehensive plan amendment to redesignate about 2,077 acres near Tonopah from the Hassayampa Ranch development master plan to industrial uses, after hearing neighbors’ concerns about water, traffic and wildlife.
The Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 6 recommended approval of CPA25008, a major comprehensive plan amendment converting roughly 2,077 acres in the Tonopah/Arlington area from a previously approved development master plan to an industrial land-use designation.
Staff told the commission the site, north of I‑10 near 339th Avenue, is surrounded by existing and proposed industrial operations and is well positioned for light industrial uses, including warehouses, data centers, sand and gravel operations and power generation. Staff said the change would align the property with the Tonopah‑Arlington area plan and the county comprehensive plan and noted earlier opposition from the City of Buckeye had been withdrawn after coordination with the applicant.
Wendy Riddell, representing Hassayampa Ranch, said the property has longstanding entitlements and that the applicant plans to work with the city and neighbors on setbacks and stipulations during the zoning phase. “We look forward to engaging with these folks and working with them, and coming back with a plan that can do our best to address their concerns,” Riddell said.
Neighbors who live adjacent to the site urged the commission to preserve a rural lifestyle. Kathy Fletcher, who said she and her husband own property that abuts the proposed change, told commissioners she submitted a petition with more than 100 signatures and said residents worry about traffic, water drawn from private wells, environmental impacts and the visual effects of large industrial buildings. “We’re really concerned about protecting the lifestyle that we all moved out there for,” Fletcher said.
In discussion, commissioners acknowledged those local concerns but said the zoning phase will allow more detailed protections — including setbacks and design stipulations — and noted the alternative could be a much larger residential development that, staff estimated, would use more water. Vice Chair Millhaven moved to recommend approval; Commissioner Layton seconded. The motion passed by roll call, 8–0.
Next steps: the Board of Supervisors will consider the commission’s recommendation at a future hearing where the applicant’s subsequent rezoning and plan-of-development materials will be reviewed in greater detail.
