Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission Regular and Work Study Session

Date: February 11, 2026 | Time: 6:00 PM (Regular Session), followed by Work Study Session Location: Community Chambers, 20727 E. Civic Parkway, Queen Creek, AZ

The Planning & Zoning Commission held a regular meeting and a work study session on February 11, 2026. The regular session included a consent agenda (meeting minutes and a continuance of an animal regulations text amendment), a public hearing on a setback reduction for large-lot residential districts, and an administrative update on development activity. The work study session featured presentations on code enforcement and a proposed animal regulations text amendment, with no votes taken on work study items.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of January 14, 2026 – Approved by unanimous motion (Vice Chair Ballard moved, seconded).
• P25-0153 Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – Animal Regulations – Continued to the March 25, 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting. The continuance was requested and will allow the full public hearing and possible action at that later date. Emails received on this item were noted for the record for the March 25 hearing.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Comment (Items Not on Agenda): No members of the public requested to speak.
• Public Hearing on P26-0003 (Setback Reduction): No speaker cards were submitted; the public hearing was opened and closed without comment.
• Work Study Session (Animal Regulations Discussion): No formal public comment was taken, but staff acknowledged receiving emails and social media feedback containing incorrect information about the proposal.

Discussion Items

1. PUBLIC HEARING – P26-0003: Setbacks in R1-43 and R1-35 Districts

• Presenter: Eric Swanson, Planning Manager.
• Proposal: Reduce front setbacks from 40 feet to 30 feet in the R1-43 and R1-35 zoning districts.
• Rationale: Provide greater flexibility for developability of larger lots, following previous text amendments (side setbacks, accessory structure setbacks, increased lot coverage). Comparison with neighboring communities: Gilbert (40 ft), Chandler (20–55 ft based on right‑of‑way), Mesa (22 ft for homes, 30 ft for garages).
• Commission Discussion: No questions from commissioners. The item was moved and seconded for approval.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS – Planning Recent Activity Update (Eric Swanson)

• Permits: 54 residential permits issued in the previous month (January 2026), a decrease from year-end highs.
• Council Approvals: Text amendment for outdoor storage (previously recommended by the commission) was approved by Town Council.
• Administrative Approvals: Four applications under review or approved administratively (not requiring commission action).
• General Plan: Update presented to Council the prior week; similar presentation to the commission will occur at the March 25 meeting.
• Upcoming Meeting: Next scheduled meeting is March 25, 2026 (moved from second Wednesday due to spring break).

3. WORK STUDY SESSION – Animal Regulations Text Amendment (P25-0153)

• Presenter: Zach Werdean, Senior Planner.
• Background: Proposed amendments to zoning ordinance Section 6.2 addressing animal keeping. The item was continued several times due to public confusion and stakeholder refinement. Eric Swanson clarified that this session was for commission feedback only; no public hearing or vote occurred. The official public hearing and possible action will be at the March 25 meeting.
• Four Major Proposed Changes:
  1. Minimum Corral/Pasture Area per Animal: Proposed 500 sq. ft. for large livestock, 200 sq. ft. for medium livestock (accumulative). Feedback received suggested 200 sq. ft. may be too small. Maricopa County uses 1,200 sq. ft. per horse; Pima/Tucson use 400 sq. ft. regardless of size. Language clarified that this applies to open pasture/corral space, not stall size. Commissioners discussed the need to avoid over-prescription; trees providing shade may suffice for shelter.
  2. Shelter Requirement: Require structurally sound shade or shelter for animals kept outdoors. Current language requires a structure; commissioners suggested including trees or natural shade. Staff indicated openness to revising language.
  3. Animal Unit Count (AUC) Adjustment: Proposed change from 30,000 sq. ft. per additional animal unit above one acre back to 5,000 sq. ft. (correcting a 2015 drafting error that mistakenly set 30,000). This would allow more animals on larger lots and bring existing non‑conforming properties into compliance. Commissioner Baldwin expressed concern that 5,000 sq. ft. might still be restrictive for boarding operations and urged further stakeholder outreach. Zach Werdean noted that he had consulted with local ranchers (e.g., Ellsworth Mini Ranch) and found 5,000 sq. ft. balanced both sides; properties over one acre would still start with the base allowance (e.g., for a 2‑acre lot, today’s limit is ~6 animal units; proposed change would allow ~15).
  4. Educational Allowances: Clarify requirements to exceed AUC for educational programs (4-H, FFA, SIMA). A letter of authorization from the sponsoring organization would be required. Swine remain prohibited except for approved educational purposes. Enclosure setbacks: 25 ft from property line, 100 ft minimum corral; these may be adjusted if the program’s sponsor suggests an alternative setup.
• Commission Comments: Commissioner Baldwin emphasized the importance of preserving Queen Creek’s agricultural character and urged continued dialogue with the animal‑keeping community. The chairman noted that the proposal aims to fix an unintentional error and is not an attempt to reduce animal allowances. Other commissioners thanked staff for the thorough work.

4. WORK STUDY SESSION – Code Enforcement Division Update

• Presenter: Victor Martinez, Code Enforcement Manager.
• Overview: Code enforcement handles property preservation, zoning compliance, noise, signs, graffiti, nuisance. Works with police and town attorney (Cliff). Currently three full‑time staff (manager, senior officer, entry‑level officer).
• Enforcement Statistics:
  • 2022: 14 Notices of Violation (NOV), 2 citations, 2 code hearings
  • 2023: 192 NOV, 64 citations, 8 hearings
  • 2024: 250 NOV, 84 citations, 15 hearings
  • 2025: 459 NOV, 130 citations, 49 hearings (increase due to hiring in‑house team; prior years used contractors)
• Key Improvements: Expedited repeat offender process (skip NOV for known violators); three contracted hearing officers for conflicts of interest; updated procedures for unpaid fines – now can file liens on properties; recovered thousands of dollars in unpaid fines.
• Enforcement Philosophy: Education and voluntary compliance preferred; enforcement only after exhausting other efforts.
• Commission Questions: A commissioner joked about the clarity of the presentation slides; otherwise no substantive questions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved: Unanimous.
• P26-0003 (Setback Reduction) Approved: Unanimous. The text amendment will reduce front setbacks from 40 ft to 30 ft in R1-43 and R1-35 districts.
• Animal Regulations Text Amendment (P25-0153) Continued: The public hearing and possible action are scheduled for the March 25, 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting (with potential Town Council date of April 15, 2026). Staff will incorporate commission feedback and finalize language for public review prior to that date.
• Next Regular Meeting: March 25, 2026 (second Wednesday adjusted due to spring break).
• Work Study Items: No action taken; feedback recorded for future refinement.