Planning commission backs rezoning for South Cactus Road lot with condition barring business use

The Apache Junction Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously May 12 to recommend that the City Council approve rezoning case P-26-6-PZ, changing a roughly 1.25‑acre parcel at 275 South Cactus Road from medium‑density RS10M to rural low‑density RS‑GR, subject to a condition prohibiting business activity, commercial vehicle storage/parking and other commercial operations on the lot.

The action follows a staff presentation by associate planner Hudson Meyer, who described the parcel, neighboring zoning and the general plan designations and said staff concluded the rezoning would align the property with surrounding parcels. Meyer also reported that staff received five emails (three supporting, two opposing) and that a neighborhood meeting on Jan. 29, 2026 drew about 10 residents.

Applicant Kimberly Bergman, who identified herself at the hearing as representing her family's ownership of the property, told commissioners the family mainly uses the lot for personal storage and that they do not conduct business there. “We do not have customers there,” Bergman said when asked whether the property would be used commercially, and she agreed to the added condition banning business activity.

Commissioners questioned whether the explicit condition was necessary because residential zoning already limits commercial operations. Staff said the condition had been drafted shortly before the meeting in response to a constituent letter and that the applicant accepted it; several commissioners said adding the condition would reassure neighbors. Staff clarified zoning rules: family horse keeping is allowed when minimum acreage is met, while commercial horse boarding requires larger acreage (2.5 acres), and construction materials used as part of a business are not permitted to be stored on a residential lot.

Two nearby residents spoke during the public comment period. Paul Abrahamson, who owns property across the street, praised the applicants as good neighbors and urged support. Marissa Wimprey, who lives adjacent to the north, said she supports the rezoning but asked that the owners install a 6– to 8‑foot privacy fence if additional structures are added.

After public comment the commission moved and seconded a recommendation of approval for P-26-6-PZ, including the additional condition formalized at the meeting. A roll call vote recorded six 'yes' votes and no opposition; the recommendation will go to a city council work session on June 1, 2026 and a council public hearing on June 16, 2026.

The commission had no other business and adjourned at 7:31 p.m.