Florence Council approves two rezones and Rankin Mining conditional permit
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Summary
The council approved two rezoning ordinances (775‑25 and 776‑25) — a 2‑acre single‑family rezoning and a larger rezone to heavy industrial — and granted a conditional use permit (Resolution 1971‑25) allowing expanded sand and gravel mining at the Rankin site; approvals were made after planning staff presentations and limited public comment.
At its Nov. 18 meeting, the Florence Town Council approved multiple land‑use items tied to residential and industrial development.
Planner Marcela Benitez presented Ordinance 775‑25, a rezoning request for an approximately 2‑acre parcel (Assessor Parcel Number 202‑10‑0030) south of Adamsville Road from single‑family ranchette (R‑1 ranchette) to single‑family residential R‑1‑18 to allow smaller lot sizes (minimum 18,000 sq ft). Benitez said the applicant sought the rezone to build a house and potentially split the parcel for homes for family members. Applicant Mitch Clough told the council he owned the land since 2006 and described the application as straightforward. Planning & Zoning recommended approval 3‑1. After public hearing and council discussion about access and utilities as development proceeds, the council moved, seconded and voted to approve Ordinance 775‑25.
Council then considered Ordinance 776‑25, a larger rezoning request to change several parcels south of Hunt Highway and north of the Gila River — previously a mix of planned unit development (Merrill Ranch) and rural agriculture RA‑10 — to Heavy Industrial (HI). Paul Gilbert, representing the applicant and accompanied by land planner Kurt Valdir, said the request follows a prior general plan amendment and mining overlay and would expand an existing sand‑and‑gravel operation. With no in‑person opposition at the public hearing, council approved the rezoning after a motion and second.
Following the rezones, staff presented Resolution 1971‑25 to approve a conditional use permit for the Rankin Mining project to expand mining activities in the same area. Staff noted this step follows the approvals just granted. The council approved the conditional use permit and the resolution.
All three land‑use actions proceeded after staff presentations and public input where present; planning staff told council that access, utilities and future platting would be addressed in subsequent development stages.