Jackson County commissioners approve adding about 24.5 acres to Phoenix urban growth boundary

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously April 22 to approve a Minor Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment to add about 24.5 acres into the Phoenix Urban Growth Boundary for property at 2195 Voorhies Road in Medford. The application (File No. 439-25-00002-LRP) names South Stage LLC as the applicant. Commissioner Randy Sparacino moved to approve and Commissioner Colleen Roberts seconded; Commissioners Sparacino, Roberts and Chair Rick Dyer voted aye.

The amendment had been recommended for approval by the Jackson County Planning Commission and already reviewed and approved by the City of Phoenix, county staff said at the hearing. Planner III Dawn Cox presented the staff report explaining the minor Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment and the planning basis for the recommendation.

Jay Harland, agent for the applicant with CSA Planning, reiterated the Jackson County Planning Commission recommendation and told the board the change would yield benefits and employment opportunities for the area, as described during his presentation. The transcript records Harland’s summary remarks but does not include verbatim quotation of his statements.

During public comment, Medford resident Robert Rackley said an emergency access road shown later in site materials will run by his house and asked whether it would be used for regular truck traffic. Planning Manager Kristin Maze clarified that the emergency access parcel is not part of the UGB amendment, that it is intended to be a gated approach for emergency use rather than full road access, and that the City of Phoenix will conduct site plan review with opportunities for property-owner involvement. Harland added that the property owner has obtained a road approach permit and said the approach is as far from Rackley’s house as possible.

After public comment, Commissioner Randy Sparacino moved to admit Exhibits 1–11 into the record and to close the record; Commissioner Roberts seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The board then voted to approve the UGB amendment, and Commissioner Dyer instructed staff to prepare an ordinance and scheduled the first reading for May 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. and the second reading and public hearing for May 27, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., both in the Courthouse Auditorium and by audio/videoconference. Deputy County Counsel Pete Philbrick read required hearing rules earlier in the session and noted no conflicts of interest or ex parte contacts were reported.

The amendment affects tax lots identified as Township 38 South, Range 1 West, Section 05D, Tax Lot 1300 and Tax Lot 1400. The applicant is South Stage LLC; the file number is 439-25-00002-LRP. The record indicates follow-up review and any site-level access details will be handled through the City of Phoenix site plan process rather than through this county UGB amendment proceeding.

The board adjourned the Land Use Meeting at 1:52 p.m.