Patagonia planning committee tables recommendation on 120 E. Pennsylvania Ave. re‑subdivide amid water and design concerns

The Town of Patagonia Planning & Development Committee on Aug. 6 tabled a recommendation to the Town Council on a re‑subdivide application by Patagonia Development, LLC for parcel 106‑29‑013C, addressed as 120 E. Pennsylvania Ave. Chairperson Steve Finch made the motion to table, Kevin McKay seconded it, and the committee approved the motion unanimously.

The action followed public comments and committee questions about whether the town has adequate water supplies and local rules to manage new construction. Resident Lonnie Goff told the committee that “the Town of Patagonia cannot proceed with any subdivision plans as it does not have a certified 100 year water supply,” and said the Roadrunner subdivision is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Real Estate for subdivision violations and by the Arizona Department of Water Resources for failure to submit water reports. The committee did not make a finding on those claims during the meeting.

Committee members listed several concerns about the re‑subdivide application, including incomplete application materials, the need for an archaeological evaluation, lack of local regulations governing site bulldozing and construction timelines, absence of design guidelines to protect town character, and questions about water availability and town capacity to manage construction. Robert Gay, a member of the public, urged a moratorium on developments until the General Plan is updated and design guidelines are adopted, and also raised the carbon‑footprint of new building.

Jon Tate, a civil engineer from CPE Consultants attending on behalf of the applicant, was present to answer questions but did not offer a formal presentation. Committee members referenced prior issues with the Coronado development as background for their concern about managing future projects.

The committee recorded the motion to table a recommendation for further action; the motion passed unanimously. Members recorded present in the roll call and for the vote were Chairperson Steve Finch, Patrick O’Neal, Kevin McKay, Georgette Larrouy, Nancy McCoy and Laurie Monti (via Zoom).

The meeting also included brief subcommittee reports: the town’s grant application for sewer and water for property on Harshaw Road was denied, and the committee said a model workforce housing ordinance from Bisbee, Arizona, would be shared with the town manager as a potential reference. The committee set no additional follow‑up deadlines during the meeting. The next Planning & Development Committee meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.