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Navajo County planning commission backs 100‑lot High Pines Estates tentative plat, citing conditions and emergency egress plans
Summary
The commission voted to recommend approval of a 100‑lot subdivision called High Pines Estates on roughly 93.6 acres; staff recommended approval with 24 conditions after obtaining Forest Service and Game and Fish input on road maintenance and wildlife corridors. Opponents raised wildfire and density concerns; final plat goes to the Board of Supervisors.
The Navajo County Planning and Zoning Commission voted Oct. 17 to recommend approval of a tentative plat for High Pines Estates, a proposed 100‑lot single‑family subdivision on about 93.6 acres in Districts 3 and 4.
Staff presented the proposal and recommended approval subject to 24 conditions, saying the application complies with the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance as submitted. Cody, county planning staff, told commissioners the developer proposed on‑site water via a new well and storage tanks, paved roads meeting county standards, and individual septic systems; the plan sets aside about 6.54 acres of open space and retains floodway/floodplain areas as open space. Staff also said the Forest Service authorized the county to allow the developer to perform and maintain improvements on Forest Service Road 332 subject to Forest Service conditions, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department provided advisory recommendations aimed at preserving wildlife corridors.
Developer Doug Brimhall introduced himself and said the design preserves the floodway as open space and routes a wildlife corridor through the property. "We took everything that's in the floodway and a lot of the floodplain, and we've just made that open space," Brimhall said. He said the project will use underground power and implement Game and Fish recommendations in covenants, conditions and restrictions as appropriate.
Three neighbors who spoke during the public‑comment period said they favor new housing but pressed for clarity about the secondary egress and wildfire safety. Frank Talifaro asked whether the proposed secondary road would exit to the northeast — away from prevailing southwest winds — in the event of another major fire such as the Rodeo‑Chedesky fire. Brimhall said an easement in place allows multiple alignment options and the developer will work with the Bigler family to place the road where neighbors prefer.
Commissioners asked how maintenance of Forest Service Road 332 will be handled. Will Flake, county engineer, said the county routinely has rights of way or easements that are not maintained by the county and that maintenance typically falls to property owners unless the county elects otherwise. Brimhall said maintenance would be funded either through the HOA or a roadway improvement district.
Several commissioners raised concerns about density and emergency access; one commissioner said on the record that, because of density concerns, they personally could not support the project. Despite those concerns, a motion to recommend approval subject to staff conditions carried.
The commission's recommendation is advisory; the Board of Supervisors will review the final plat and any technical refinements. The developer, owner High Pines Estates LLC (agent Travis Barney), and staff will be responsible for satisfying the 24 staff conditions and for providing any materials required for the final plat hearing.
