Commission approves rezoning for future retail and fuel station at 780 East Road 3 North

The Chino Valley Planning and Zoning Commission on May 5 unanimously approved ZC 2026‑03, rezoning three parcels at 780 East Road 3 North from Agricultural‑Residential (AR‑5) to Commercial Light (C‑L) to accommodate a future retail and fuel station.

Senior Planner Jessica Berrigan presented the application on behalf of Maverick Incorporated and the Richard J. Cold and Carolyn L. Cold Trust. Berrigan said the town’s land‑use map identifies the parcels as neighborhood commercial and that staff recommended forwarding a favorable recommendation subject to the findings and conditions in Attachment A. She told commissioners there had been no opposition to the rezone request after mailed notice to neighbors.

Commissioners focused questions on how large vehicles would access the site from SR‑89 and whether underground‑storage tanks would be monitored, citing a recent leak at a Circle K location. Berrigan and an engineer in attendance said the site‑plan review and agency vetting (including ADOT) could change the access layout, and that new fuel facilities typically use modern monitoring technologies. One commissioner noted, “There are federal requirements for underground storage tanks, and they'll have to comply with them,” and staff said hazardous‑material reports and town‑engineer approvals will be part of review.

The applicant did not add to the staff presentation. The public hearing was opened and closed with no public speakers. A motion to approve the rezoning was made, seconded and carried in a roll‑call vote; each commissioner answered “yes” and the chair announced the motion passed unanimously.

Berrigan said the project will return for site‑plan review and any agency comments (including ADOT) will be incorporated into future submittals and site changes. The commission’s action rezones the parcels to allow commercial development but does not itself approve a site plan or permit.