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Gila Bend council directs staff to update zoning, subdivision codes to comply with new Arizona law
Summary
On Jan. 27, 2026, the Gila Bend Town Council unanimously directed staff to initiate text amendments to the town zoning ordinance and subdivision code to implement House Bill 2447 (ARS § 9‑500.49), following a presentation by the town planner on the law that took effect Jan. 1.
The Gila Bend Town Council on Jan. 27 unanimously voted to direct staff to begin amending the town’s Zoning Ordinance (including Articles II and III) and Subdivision Code (Chapter 12) to comply with House Bill 2447, which affects A.R.S. § 9‑500.49.
Vice‑Mayor Chris Riggs moved to direct staff to initiate the text amendments; Councilmember Fernando Fernandez seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with six councilmembers present: Mayor Tommy Sikes, Vice‑Mayor Chris Riggs, and Councilmembers Fernando Fernandez, Will Sipes, Scott Swanson and Mary Vinzant (Councilmember Donny Young was absent).
Community Planner Sandra Hoffman presented a PowerPoint overview to the council and public explaining House Bill 2447 and the changes to A.R.S. § 9‑500.49. Hoffman told the council the bill was signed by the governor and became effective Jan. 1 and said the proposed local amendments would authorize administrative review and approval processes for specified site plans and land divisions in accordance with state law.
The council also held a related work session in which Hoffman walked through proposed updates to Articles VI and VII of the town’s 2007 Zoning Code. That discussion was for review only; no formal action on the code language was taken during the work session.
Next steps: staff were directed to prepare draft ordinance language and subdivision code edits for council review at a future meeting. The council did not set a public hearing or adoption schedule during the Jan. 27 session; timing for draft release and formal hearings was not specified.
