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Commission forwards equestrian events permit with curfew, compliance conditions after public testimony
Summary
The commission forwarded SUP‑017‑25 to the Board with 28 stipulations after hearing that the applicant runs a longtime arena and provides college rodeo support; staff flagged a pending code‑compliance case and the applicant agreed to dust‑control measures and a lighting curfew.
The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of SUP‑017‑25 — a special‑use permit to host equestrian events and up to eight seasonal short‑term RV spaces on roughly 10 acres north of Casa Grande — sending the matter to the Board of Supervisors with 28 stipulations.
Planner Sam Amaya said the site has been used for events for several years and that the SUP would bring the facility into compliance with county development code. Sam Amaya noted an active code‑compliance matter regarding unpermitted renovations, RV spaces and public‑safety concerns that the applicant must address.
Applicant Kenny Zamora told commissioners he has operated arenas for decades and that the site hosts university rodeo teams and provides free lessons to youth. He described a watering schedule and two water trucks used during events for dust control and said lighting is used rarely and would be curtailed outside daylight hours. "All the time that we've been there, we've never had them on at night in the summer," Zamora said, adding he would accept reasonable curfews if required.
Code compliance supervisor Jose Guy briefed the panel on complaints (unpermitted RV hookups and a converted accessory structure); Deputy Director Todd Williams said granting the SUP would require the applicant to resolve outstanding permit and utility issues through site‑plan review and related corrections.
Neighbors and community members testified both in favor and with concerns; supporters emphasized the applicant’s work with college rodeo teams and youth programs. After discussion the commission voted to forward the SUP to the Board with the staff‑recommended 28 stipulations, including Lighting Zone 1 adherence, limits on use seasonality and site‑plan and permitting requirements to resolve the outstanding code‑compliance issues.
