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Board denies proposed removal of US 95 visual-corridor designation after strong public and military concerns
Summary
The board voted to deny minor amendment case 24-06, which would have removed US Highway 95 from the 2030 Comprehensive Plan's visual-corridor map, and directed staff to return with a revised amendment that preserves scenic protections for northern segments after residents, conservationists and Yuma Proving Ground raised objections.
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors on April 7 denied a proposed minor amendment (case 24-06) that would have removed US Highway 95 from the 2030 Comprehensive Plan visual-corridor designation. After an extended public hearing the board directed staff to prepare a revised amendment that retains scenic protections for key northern stretches adjacent to federal lands and military ranges.
Planner Javier Barrazas explained that the item grew out of a mapping discrepancy: a corridor segment had been depicted on the map but not correctly listed in the legend, prompting a minor amendment to "clean up" the plan. At a subsequent Planning & Zoning Commission hearing, one commissioner recommended removal of the entire Highway 95 designation; staff then presented that recommendation to the board.
Residents and conservation groups packed the public hearing to urge retaining the corridor. Jay Meijer told supervisors US 95 is "our front door" and warned that removing the overlay could open the corridor permanently to billboards. The Yuma Audubon Society and other speakers stressed scenic and biological values (Sonoran Desert flora and winter wildflower displays). Isaac Rodriguez, range operations and training division chief at Yuma Proving Ground, read a written command memo asserting that corridor protections reduce light pollution and protect military testing, training ranges and safety and requested that the board retain the corridor or clarify boundaries to avoid impacts to YPG missions.
Several supervisors said they were reluctant to remove protections north of Laguna Dam Road and suggested keeping the corridor where it abuts BLM, wildlife refuge and YPG lands. After discussion Supervisor (speaker 4) moved to deny the amendment as submitted and direct staff to return with a narrower, board-guided revision. The motion passed by voice vote.
The denial does not change the county's existing ordinance or map; rather, the board instructed staff to draft a replacement amendment that would preserve scenic protections in the northern corridor segments and return for further public hearings and legal review.
