Maricopa County planning commissioners elect new chair and vice chair, approve bylaws and consent agenda

The Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission on a hybrid vote elected Commissioner Milhaven as chair and Commissioner Hernandez as vice chair and unanimously approved minor changes to the commission bylaws and a five-item consent agenda.

The meeting opened with roll call and announcements about public-comment procedures and agenda availability. After nominations, commissioners voted to elect Commissioner Milhaven as chair by a roll-call tally reported as 8 to 0, and then voted 9 to 0 to elect Commissioner Hernandez as vice chair. Commissioners then approved the commission's bylaws. Staff said the amendments add language directing temporary permits to come before the commission and clarify how the chair may establish special committees.

In presenting the bylaws changes, staff said the only substantive additions were language about temporary permits and chair authority to create special study committees. The commission approved the changes by roll-call vote of 9 to 0.

The commission also approved the consent agenda, which bundled five items including CPA25-00009 and Z250027 (NEC 494th Avenue & Thomas Road, District 5), MCP250010 (All Things Metal expansion), and Z250018 (Calvary Chapel Arise). Staff reported no known opposition to the listed consent items; commissioners voted to recommend approval of the consent agenda by 9 to 0.

Outgoing leadership received public and commissioner thanks. One commissioner praised staff and commissioners for their work this year, saying the group had "been really good" and thanking staff as "rock stars". The meeting then moved to the regular agenda.