Cochise County planning commission approves special use to allow prefabricated‑home display on Skyline Road

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission on June 12 approved a special‑use permit allowing the retail display and sales of prefabricated housing at 2794 West Skyline Road, subject to four staff‑recommended conditions.

Staff planner Taylor told the commission the request (docket SU26‑05) complies with the zoning factors for special uses and noted the property sits west of Benson near I‑10 Exit 299. Taylor said staff mailed 18 notices and received three responses in opposition.

Applicant Tammy Castry, representing BJ Drilling Company, said the proposal is for static display only and that display units will not be hooked up to plumbing or separate electrical services. “There will be no additional water usage,” Castry said in response to residents’ concerns.

Nearby residents raised objections during public comment. Audrey Biddigan, who said her family has lived in the Skyline Road community for more than 50 years, said the area’s RU4 rural character should be preserved and asked for clarity on ownership and traffic expectations. “We don’t want commercial or heavy industrial in our neighborhoods,” Biddigan said. Craig Schubert, who lives north of the property, warned that a single‑lane underpass and short ramps could create safety risks if large display units and extra traffic use the route.

Mike Green, a resident near the site, offered conditional support provided the property use strictly follows the notice—“retail sales and display of prefabricated homes”—and said residents would monitor compliance.

Taylor recommended approval with conditions that include a 50‑foot right‑of‑way dedication along the south property line of tax parcel 1240703A; a limit of four prefabricated housing units on display at any one time, with units at least 20 feet from property lines; business hours limited to 9 a.m.–5 p.m., seven days a week; and a restriction that delivery and setup be treated as a separate use requiring rezoning.

Commissioners debated long‑term traffic and whether rezoning to general business (GB) would be more appropriate than a special use permit; staff said surfacing or other mitigation could be required later if the use intensifies. After discussion, the commission voted on the motion to approve SU26‑05 with the recommended conditions. Recorded votes were: Christine Zumas, no; Montgomery, yes; Benedict, no; Fickett, yes; Tucker, yes; Chair DePauw, yes. The motion carried 4–2. The commission noted that any appeal must be filed with the Board of Supervisors within 15 days.

The approval allows display and retail sales under the specified conditions; staff said any delivery or permanent setup of prefabricated homes would require rezoning or a separate approval process.