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Planning commission approves Fawn Ranch farm-winery special use with reduced setback
Summary
The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special-use authorization for a farm winery at 3465 East Fawn Ranch Road (docket SU25-28), allowing agricultural processing with setbacks below the 300-foot minimum; the vote was unanimous. The meeting also recorded the formal withdrawal of docket SU25-26.
The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve a special-use authorization that allows agricultural processing for a farm winery at 3465 East Fawn Ranch Road in Pierce.
Planning staff presented docket SU25-28, saying the parcel (tax parcel 11401073) is zoned RU-4 and already contains an approximate 1,800-square-foot building that sits roughly 100 feet from the north property line and 200 feet from the east property line — both distances shorter than the 300-foot minimum setback in the county zoning regulations. Staff said it mailed 23 notices to nearby property owners and received four written responses in favor of the request. Staff recommended approval subject to the standard special-use conditions and a clarification that agricultural processing be limited to farm-winery or distillery operations described in the regulations. "Based on the factors in favor of approval, staff recommends approval of docket SU25-28," Mr. Taylor said during his recommendation.
Applicant Joseph (Joe) Monks told commissioners he built the structure before applying and that the state had approved the liquor license; he said the variance would allow him to process grapes on-site without building a second structure. "I'm requesting the setback so that I wouldn't have to put in another building for the processing of the grapes into wine," Monks said.
Commissioners questioned Monks about residency and anticipated public traffic; Monks said he and his wife currently maintain a residence in Chandler and that tastings would be minimal and by appointment. After discussion, a motion to approve SU25-28 with staff-recommended conditions passed with all commissioners present voting "aye." The chair congratulated the applicant.
Votes at a glance: SU25-26 (Charleston Road Container Sales) — applicant requested withdrawal; commission approved the withdrawal by voice vote to make it official. SU25-28 (Fawn Ranch, Joseph Monks) — motion to approve with conditions passed by an affirmative vote of all commissioners present.
Appeals: The chair noted that any individual disagreeing with the commission's action has the right to appeal to the Board of Supervisors within 15 days; applications for appeal are available from the county clerk's office or online at cochise.az.gov.
What the approval means: The commission's action recommends the special use and documents that the county will continue to enforce the zoning conditions attached to the authorization. Any further compliance, permits or licensing (including the already-noted liquor license) remain subject to county permitting and state rules.
Next steps: The action and the administrative record will be available to interested parties, and the applicant may proceed with applicable permitting per the county's conditions.
