Eloy City Council Meeting - January 22, 2024

The Eloy City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the Eloy City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, reports, presentations, and several key actions including approval of a conditional use permit for a solar project, a general plan amendment, a rezoning for a tiny home development, and a consent agenda. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to enter executive session for one hour.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the January 8, 2024 regular meeting.
• Authorized an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Pinal County for election services for the City's 2024 primary and general elections.
• Authorized an agreement with Sunland Asphalt for $49,951.71 for road improvements at Eloy Memorial Park.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Betty Peterson (resident of 5440 West Crossy Drive, Robeson Ranch) spoke about the need for affordable housing, noting an increase in people seeking assistance at Heart of Eloy Thrift Store since COVID-19. She expressed support for the tiny home project and praised Ralph Varela's work in the community.
• The Eloy Chamber of Commerce (Andrew Rodriguez, Executive Director) presented the Quarter 2 Report, reporting 10 new members, 162 total members, a 90% retention rate, and over $95 million in federal funding for the I-10 project. They also highlighted the success of the GLOW event with 6,800 attendees and 30 vendors.
• An unscheduled public appearance involved a group from Support Our Troops auction, where an anonymous bidder donated a painting called "Old Glory" by an artist from Robeson Ranch, intended for display at City Hall.

Discussion Items

• Kitt 1 Solar Project (CUP2022-038): The council considered a Conditional Use Permit for a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic power generating and 100-megawatt battery energy storage system on approximately 646 acres southwest of Milligan Road and Eleven Mile Corner Road. The project, developed by Avantus LLC, will interconnect with the APS Milligan substation, with projected completion by May 2026. It is expected to generate approximately $6 million in tax revenues during construction and up to $28 million over its operational life. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Councilmember Garcia voted no; the motion passed 5-1.
• Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update (Presentation): Wilson Engineers presented updates to the water and wastewater master plans for the first time since 2005. Key findings include a projected need for 58 new wells at 750 GPM each to meet future demand of 38,115 housing units, and that expansion of the wastewater treatment plant will be needed within 5-10 years.
• Stuart & 4th General Plan Amendment (GPA2023-039): The council adopted Resolution No. 24-1567, amending the General Plan Land Use Map designation for two parcels (0.87 acres total) at the northwest corner of 4th Street and Stuart Boulevard from Community Commercial to High Density Residential to accommodate a 20-unit tiny home project. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously. The motion passed unanimously.
• Stuart & 4th Rezoning (RZ2023-040): The council adopted Ordinance No. 24-954, rezoning the same parcels from Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) with a Downtown Core Overlay (DCO) to Multiple Family Residential (R-3) (10-24 dwelling units per acre) with a Downtown Core Overlay (DCO) for the tiny home project. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Conditional Use Permit Approved (CUP2022-038): Approved for the Kitt 1 Solar Project on a 5-1 vote (Councilmember Garcia dissenting).
• General Plan Amendment Adopted (GPA2023-039): Approved unanimously via Resolution No. 24-1567.
• Rezoning Approved (RZ2023-040): Approved unanimously via Ordinance No. 24-954.
• Consent Agenda Approved: Unanimously passed.
• Executive Session: The council voted unanimously to enter executive session for one hour with City Manager David, Assistant City Manager McKenzie Letcher, City Clerk Mary Myers, and City Attorney Steve Cooper to discuss negotiations and legal matters per A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3), (4), and (7).