Council approves 273‑acre Florence & I‑10 PAD despite resident traffic and character concerns
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Summary
After a lengthy public hearing, the Casa Grande City Council approved Ordinance 1178.475 to rezone about 273 acres between Florence Boulevard and I‑10 for a mix of commercial and light industrial uses; residents from Palm Creek and Cottonwood urged denial, citing traffic, noise and 80‑foot building heights, while proponents emphasized jobs, tax revenue and a WinCo grocery under contract.
The Casa Grande City Council voted to approve Ordinance 1178.475, rezoning roughly 273 acres between Florence Boulevard and I‑10 from Urban Ranch to a planned area development (PAD) allowing commercial and light‑industrial uses.
Staff framed the PAD as a ‘‘cleaner’’ proposal than an earlier submittal, noting the applicant removed multifamily uses and some contested potential uses and added design and buffering measures. The PAD anticipates a mix of commercial and light industrial development, with the southerly portion constrained to commercial uses by its community‑corridor general‑plan designation; the plan includes a 50‑foot minimum buffer from Palm Creek with two rows of landscaping, no outdoor storage or truck bays within the first 100 feet, and staged height setbacks to reduce visual impacts.
Applicant counsel Wendy Bridal said the proposal aligns with the city’s general plan, emphasized outreach with Palm Creek property owners, and said several uses (including data centers and truck stops) are not permitted. Bridal also said a WinCo grocery is under contract for more than 20 acres within the PAD.
During the public hearing, dozens of residents—especially from the Palm Creek resort community and Cottonwood neighborhoods—testified against the PAD, citing traffic congestion on Cottonwood and Florence, potential truck traffic, lighting and noise, and the impact of industrial uses adjacent to residential communities and schools. Supporters argued the PAD fits the voter‑approved general plan, would bring jobs and sales‑tax revenue and is an appropriate freeway‑adjacent corridor for commercial and business‑park uses.
Council members acknowledged public concerns and noted the applicant incorporated changes since planning commission review; they emphasized that future site plans will require traffic analyses and neighborhood outreach. The ordinance passed by roll call. Staff will include emailed public comments in the official record and the applicant must follow site‑plan review and any departure or site‑plan processes required by code.
