Eloy Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting - September 17, 2025

The Eloy Planning and Zoning Commission met on September 17, 2025, at 6:01 p.m. (agenda had listed 5:15 p.m.) in the City Council Chambers to consider a major land-use application for the Hideout Ranch Entertainment Center. The item involved a Minor General Plan Amendment, a Rezone with a Planned Area Development (PAD) Overlay, and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for outdoor commercial entertainment. After a public hearing and commission deliberation, a motion to approve failed, and the commission voted unanimously to continue the item to the November meeting, pending additional noise studies and input from seasonal residents.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the August 13, 2025, Planning and Zoning Commission minutes. Passed unanimously via roll call (Commissioners Lopez, Whitman, Frassetto, and Chairman Paulson all voting yes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• James Canary (on behalf of Pastor Ken Blondo) read a letter signed by 14 residents expressing strong support for the Hideout Ranch project. The letter highlighted family-friendly recreation, economic growth, job creation, and community benefits, and urged approval.
• Wendy Beckerdite (1137 N Fairway Drive) expressed concerns about safety (drugs at outdoor venues) and asked the commission to deny rezoning until more precise details are provided. She stated a restaurant would be welcome but the broader entertainment uses raised questions.
• Ron Beckerdite (1137 N Fairway Drive) voiced concerns about traffic (especially with the new Love's truck stop), noise at night, emergency vehicle access, and the need for full studies before approval. He asked for denial until appropriate studies are completed.
• Marlis McNeil (1229 N Fairway Drive) said her backyard is less than 18 feet from property owned by the applicant (though not the 19.75 acres under consideration). She argued that quiet enjoyment would be impacted, noted 45% of subdivision homeowners have not yet returned from seasonal residences, and requested postponement until at least November 15, 2025.
• Connie Partridge (1054 N Fairway Drive) asked for clarification on the C-2 general commercial zone and expressed concerns about noise, traffic, emergency access, and the lack of detailed plans. She requested postponement.
• Mark Sprinkles (3833 W Fairway Drive) supported postponing the decision until more seasonal residents return in November.
• Beverly Seekis (1474 N Fairway Drive) stated she would only support commercial approval for the restaurant, citing open-ended development areas, traffic, noise, and drainage concerns.
• Tanner Peterson (applicant, on behalf of Petersen Eloy 501, LLC) presented the project, emphasizing community engagement, a family-oriented vision, and responses to concerns. He noted two previous public hearings (July 31 and September 9) with 32 and 18 attendees, respectively, and said no one had been strictly opposed. He conducted an informal noise test on Saturday, September 13, at 11 a.m.–12 p.m., playing loud music (107–120 dB at the speaker) and measuring decibel levels at 800 ft (nearest residence: 57–66 dB) and 1,700 ft (west side: 47–52 dB), which were within city noise limits. He committed to working with the city on traffic, security, and parking (195 existing spaces plus four acres for overflow, totaling ~655 spaces).

Discussion Items

• Hideout Ranch Entertainment Center – Three Related Cases
  • Case GPA2025-003: Minor General Plan Amendment from Parks/Open Space to Community Commercial.
  • Case RZPAD2005-63.A1: Rezone from Open Space Recreational (OSR), Multiple Family Residential (R-3), and Single Family Residential (R1-6) with a PAD overlay to General Commercial (C-2) with a PAD overlay.
  • Case CUP2025-008: Conditional Use Permit for Commercial Entertainment, Outdoor.
  • The project involves approximately 19.75 acres at 1505 N Toltec Rd and 3500 W Clubhouse Dr, part of the former San Miguel Golf Course. The plan includes restoring the clubhouse as a restaurant/event center, an outdoor event lawn with a stage, a food truck area, a playscape, a farmers market space, and a wedding/corporate event area. The stage is oriented northeast toward the freeway to minimize noise impact on nearby residences.
  • Staff (Dan Simer, Community Development Director) recommended approval subject to stipulations, including a Traffic Control and Management Plan, Parking Management Plan, Security and Maintenance Plan, and an emergency access road (required before events exceeding 300 persons).
  • Commissioner questions:
    • Concerns were raised about noise at night (commissioner asked for evening noise test).
    • Traffic and road conditions (Clubhouse Drive) – applicant acknowledged uncertainty about future traffic levels.
    • Emergency access – staff explained the paved secondary access to W Battaglia Rd will be required as adjacent development occurs; for larger events, a Special Event Permit and operational plans are needed.
    • Restroom facilities for large events – to be determined in the next 30–60 days.
• Commissioner Whitman raised the issue of noise ordinances (city limits: 85 dB from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., 90 dB from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; residential ambient noise is 65 dB). He suggested considering a cutoff time for outdoor music.
• Mayor Andrew Sutton (ex-officio) commended the applicant for community engagement and encouraged residents to continue participating in city processes.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve the three cases as presented (made by Commissioner Whitman, seconded by Commissioner Frassetto) failed on a 2-2 vote (Commissioners Lopez and Paulson opposed; Commissioners Whitman and Frassetto in favor). Chairman Paulson voted no stating the need for more input from residents not present.
• Motion to continue the item to the November 2025 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting (made by a commissioner, seconded) passed unanimously (Commissioners Lopez, Whitman, Frassetto, and Paulson all voting yes). The continuance requested additional information on nighttime noise and an opportunity for seasonal (snowbird) residents to provide input.

Informational Items

• Mayor Sutton reported that the Desert Septic CUP (CUP2025-005) previously approved by the commission received unanimous City Council approval.
• Staff announced upcoming General Plan workshops: first on October 18 at Robison Ranch (10 a.m.), and a second on October 2 (all-day event, open to public in evening). The General Plan update has generated over 3,700 contacts; 180 people stopped by a booth at a recent event.
• A joint Planning Commission/City Council meeting on the Airpark Plan is being planned for October or early November.