Planning commission approves reduced setbacks for Vaughn Ranch farm winery in Pierce

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission on the evening of the meeting approved SU25-28, a special-use authorization for Vaughn Ranch that reduces the 300-foot minimum setback required for agricultural processing.

Staff presentation: Planning staff (Mr. Taylor) told commissioners the request applies to tax parcel 11401073 at 3465 East Fawn Ranch Road in Pierce, zoned RU-4. The site includes an existing 1,800-square-foot structure and a vineyard. Mr. Taylor said the building sits approximately 100 feet from the north property line and about 200 feet from the east property line, both less than the 300-foot requirement in the zoning regulations. He said staff evaluated the application under Section 2.48 of the zoning regulations, found nine applicable factors in favor of approval, mailed 23 notices within 1,000 feet and received four written responses in support, and recommended approval with conditions limiting the exemption to farm-winery or distillery operations and preserving standard permitting and modification conditions.

Applicant statement: Applicant Joseph (Joe) Monks said he established the vineyard and built the structure before applying and before learning of the setback requirements. “This is my property here. I’ve established a vineyard there … I put the building in not knowing that there were setback requirements,” Monks said, adding that the state farm-winery license was approved that day. He told commissioners he expects very minimal public traffic, plans to operate tastings by appointment and may offer a tasting presence in Wilcox to avoid excess travel to the rural site.

Commission discussion and vote: Commissioners asked about on-site residency and traffic; Monks said he lives part-time elsewhere and visits the vineyard several days per week. After questions, a motion to approve SU25-28 with the conditions recommended by staff carried unanimously: Commissioners Lindbach, Watkins, Gonzales, Pickett, Martzke, Saunders and Chair DePauw voted aye. Chair DePauw reminded attendees that any person disagreeing with the action has 15 days to appeal to the Board of Supervisors.

What was decided and next steps: The approval allows on-site agricultural processing for a farm winery with setbacks reduced from the standard 300 feet, limited by the conditions the commission adopted. The approval is a recommendation-level action for special use consistent with county zoning procedures and may be appealed to the Board of Supervisors within the statutory appeal period.

Votes and formal actions: The commission recorded a unanimous approval of SU25-28 following the staff recommendation; the official appeal notice and county clerk resources were provided at the meeting.

Context: The item was one of the evening’s docketed matters and came after a motion to lift the item from the table and place it for public hearing and consideration. No members of the public spoke for or against the application during the hearing.