Eloy Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - December 18, 2024

The City of Eloy Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular meeting on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 6:01 PM in the Eloy City Council Chambers. Commissioners present: Chair Stephen Paulson, Vice Chair Conrad Tolson, Commissioner Edward Salceda, and Commissioner Alan Crawford. Ex-official Andrew Senton was absent. The meeting covered a request to continue a rezoning case, public hearings on two solar-related PAD amendments, and staff updates.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of September 18, 2024 Meeting Minutes: The commission voted unanimously (4-0) to approve the minutes of the previous regular meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public hearings. However, the applicant reported that a neighborhood open house was held a couple of months prior, attended by a few neighboring landowners, including one resident from Arizona City who had questions but no opposition. Two letters of support from neighboring property owners were submitted into the record. Commissioner Tolson noted that the citizen participation plan, notification radius map, and sign-in sheets were not included in his meeting packet but were confirmed by staff to be on file.

Discussion Items

• Item A: Continuance of Sonoran Crossing (Case RZPAD2024-006) – The applicant requested to continue the hearing to January 15, 2025, for a proposal to rezone approximately 122 acres at the southwest corner of West Houser Road and Estrella Road from General Industrial (I-2) to General Industrial (I-2) with a Planned Area Development (PAD) overlay. The commission voted unanimously to grant the continuance.
• Item B: Picacho View I PAD Amendment – Poblano Solar (Case RZPAD2006-037.A1) – A public hearing was held to consider an amendment to the Picacho View I Planned Area Development to allow solar, utility-scale generation, and battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities as permitted uses in all underlying zoning districts. The project, by Long Road Development, covers approximately 816 of 938 total acres near South Toltec Road and West Milligan Road. Applicant Andrew Yancey presented details: up to 175 MW of solar photovoltaic panels on single-axis trackers, up to 200 MW of BESS, 300 construction jobs (18-24 months), five permanent operational jobs, and an estimated $20 million in local tax revenue over 30 years. Design includes a 100-foot building setback and 30-foot landscape buffer along the western boundary adjacent to residential properties in Arizona City (unincorporated area). The project complies with the city's solar zoning ordinance for setbacks, buffering, decommissioning bonds, and roadway improvements (Toltec Buttes, Milligan, Alsdorf, and Toltec Road). Commissioner Tolson expressed concerns about the lack of public attendance at the meeting and that the two support letters were from absentee landowners, prompting his dissent. Other commissioners noted that the proposed setbacks and buffers were preemptive measures and that code enforcement addresses dust, weeds, and decommissioning.
• Item C: Eloy Valley Specific Plan PAD Amendment – Poblano Solar (Case RZPAD2024-001.A2) – A related public hearing for the second portion of the same project, covering approximately 122 acres within the Eloy Valley Specific Plan PAD, with the same proposed land use amendment. The applicant again requested recommendation to the City Council. No additional public comments were made.

Informational Item & Staff Updates

• Staff (Dan Simmer) provided updates:
  • The current commission's term ends in February 2025; interested members should email the city clerk to reapply. A new commission is expected to be formed with City Council appointments in February and the first meeting in March.
  • A General Plan update process will begin in 2025, with a contract before City Council on January 13, 2025. The plan will be a full overhaul, required by state law for cities over 10,000 population, and is anticipated to take 12-18 months, subject to voter ratification in the 2026 election.
  • An RFQ will be issued for the Air Park master plan, and the Airport Master Plan (a two-year process) will be presented to the new commission for adoption.

Key Outcomes

• Continuance Granted: Sonoran Crossing (Case RZPAD2024-006) continued to January 15, 2025, by unanimous vote (4-0).
• Recommendation to Approve Picacho View I PAD Amendment (Case RZPAD2006-037.A1): Commission recommended approval to the Eloy City Council by a vote of 3-1 (Commissioner Tolson dissenting, citing concerns about limited public participation).
• Recommendation to Approve Eloy Valley Specific Plan PAD Amendment (Case RZPAD2024-001.A2): Commission recommended approval to the City Council by a unanimous vote (4-0).
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 PM.