Apache Junction council adopts ordinance shifting preliminary/final plat approvals to staff to comply with state law
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Summary
The council voted 7–2 to adopt Ordinance 15-69, amending the city's land development code so certain preliminary and final plat approvals are administrative. Council members expressed concern about reduced council oversight; staff said appeals of rejected plats now escalate to the city manager.
Apache Junction ' The City Council on Nov. 15 adopted Ordinance 15-69 to amend the Land Development Code and implement state-mandated administrative approval for certain preliminary and final plats.
Nick Leftwich, principal planner for the development services department, told the council the text amendment is required by two recent state bills that changed local approval duties. Leftwich summarized the change as replacing references to public hearing approval by planning bodies or council with an administrative approval authority and said staff recommended approval of Ordinance 15-69 to comply with the state law.
Leftwich said the law alters the appeal path: "the appeal of those preliminary plots, final plots that have been rejected has been deferred to the city manager," escalating the matter within the administrative structure rather than returning it to council.
Several council members voiced concern. Council member Heck asked specifically about the appeal process; another council member said the change removes a layer of elected oversight. "I am so disappointed in this bill," one council member said, arguing that the electorate cannot directly hire or fire administrative staff in the same way voters hold elected officials accountable.
On the motion to adopt Ordinance 15-69, the council voted 7 yes to 2 no; Vice Mayor Schroeder and Council member Cross recorded the no votes. Council members who voted yes cited the state requirement and staff advice.
The council also considered a companion resolution (Resolution 25-31) to declare the amendment document a public record; that resolution failed by a 5-to-2 vote. Councilmembers and staff discussed next steps before the statutory deadline, and the council scheduled an executive session to review implications.
What happens next The ordinance takes effect per the city's adoption procedures; staff told the council that the administrative process and the city manager's role will govern appeals of administrative plat decisions. Council members said they plan further review and discussion in upcoming meetings.
Vote at a glance - Ordinance 15-69 (adoption): passed, 7 yes, 2 no. - Resolution 25-31 (declaration of public record): failed, 2 yes, 5 no.
Authorities referenced in the hearing included the state bills cited by staff (transcript references to a 2023 Senate bill and a more recent House bill) and the city code sections proposed for amendment.