Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting and Work Study Session - March 25, 2026

The Planning & Zoning Commission held a regular meeting on March 25, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Community Chambers. The meeting included a consent agenda, a public hearing on a zoning text amendment regarding animal regulations, administrative updates, and a work study session covering the 2028 General Plan update and municipal planning area amendments. The commission deliberated extensively on the animal regulations amendment and voted to recommend changes, including a reduction in the square footage per animal unit from 30,000 to 3,000 for lots larger than one acre, and direction to staff to add homeschool affidavits as part of the educational exemption.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the February 11, 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dan Sanderson (DD Mini Ranch, 4.8 acres, 75 sheep, 70 cattle seasonally) expressed full support for the 3,000 square foot per animal unit, stating 5,000 is acceptable but 3,000 is preferable. He noted the town's reactive code enforcement and stressed waste management.
• Sharon Steinhauer (Rancho Hardenas, under one acre, three goats, six chickens, one tortoise) stated she is in compliance but criticized poor communication about the proposed changes, noting 85% of surveyed neighbors were unaware. She requested better notification (mailers or signs) in the future.
• Angela Asky (Queen Creek, QCHS FFA alumni president) opposed increased town control over youth ag programs. She argued that 4-H and FFA are solutions, not problems; decisions about curriculum and animal care should remain with the organizations. She requested simple verification (membership confirmation) and removal of language allowing the town to modify or terminate projects.
• Robert Asky (same address) supported returning to 3,000 square feet, calling the 30,000 square foot requirement a typographical error. He urged a clear grandfather clause for properties annexed from the county and recommended requiring (not just suggesting) involvement of qualified agricultural professionals in enforcement decisions.
• Matthew Murray (19864 E. Via De Olivos, five homeschooled children, community pigs, chickens) expressed concern that requiring affiliation with a "bona fide organization" for educational exemptions could exclude homeschoolers who develop their own animal husbandry curriculum. He also suggested modernizing public notification methods.
• Dr. Cachelle Southwick (18626 W. Chandler Heights) opposed the 5,000 square foot limit and advocated for 3,000. She proposed reclassifying animal units by type (e.g., horses should have different limits than cattle) and argued that a family of six should be able to keep a horse per person without exceeding limits. She stressed focusing on proper care rather than numerical restrictions.
• Kelly Ahern (19535 E. Via De Olivos, 1.25 acres, three horses) supported the 3,000 square foot limit to accommodate families. She thanked staff for incorporating feedback and noted that a written educational curriculum from a homeschooling parent should suffice for exemptions.
• Lola Hunt (21302 E. Nightingale Road, under one acre, 4-H chickens) opposed the 5,000 limit and requested 3,000. She argued that swine and rooster bans should be lifted, poultry should not be animal units, and multi-generational breeding programs (e.g., family stock) should not be subject to disposal requirements. She also opposed grandfathering that might not cover existing infrastructure.
• Wendy Dennis (18601 E. Via Del Hardenas, just over an acre, horses, chickens, ducks, turkey, guinea fowl) echoed support for 3,000 square feet.
• Brittany Quig (1914 E. Via De Palmas, vet tech, 4-H background) argued that 3,000 square feet per animal unit is appropriate and asked for re-evaluation of animal unit equivalencies (e.g., 10 chickens does not equal one cow). She requested clear grandfather language for structures built before code updates.
• Todd Dennis (same as Wendy, five horses, 15 chickens, 11 guinea fowl, just over an acre) stated that animal care is more important than numbers; he has never had complaints. He urged the commission to focus on enforcement of nuisances (e.g., speeding ATVs) rather than restricting responsible owners.
• Brian Roush (Mesa, 2/3 acre, raising quail, prospective Queen Creek resident) supported resetting to 3,000 square feet and emphasized management practices over strict animal counts. He praised the town's approach compared to other municipalities.
• Sherrod (19321 E. Via De Palmas, 3.3 acres, 10 mother cows with seasonal calves) requested no restrictions and advocated for enforcement based on care, not numbers. He noted that his property serves as an educational opportunity for neighbors, including children who cannot afford formal programs.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – P25-0153 Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment - Animal Regulations: Senior Planner Zachary Wardine presented proposed changes to animal unit counts, corral standards, public nuisance definitions, and educational allowances. The original proposal included a reduction from 30,000 to 5,000 square feet per animal unit for lots over one acre. Following stakeholder feedback, staff removed minimum corral size requirements, allowed natural shade, removed the 50-foot waste setback, and refined educational exemptions to be reactive rather than requiring pre-approval. The commission discussed concerns about home schooling, the small animal unit equivalency (10 chickens = one large animal), and the need for clear language on grandfather clauses. After public comment, commissioners expressed support for returning to 3,000 square feet.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Approve P25-0153 with Amendments: Vice Chair Ballard moved to approve the text amendment with a change to 3,000 square feet per animal unit for lots larger than one acre (down from the staff-recommended 5,000) and to direct staff and legal to add language inclusive of homeschool affidavits as a valid educational program for exemptions. The motion carried unanimously (Commissioner Young was disconnected but a quorum remained; all present voted in favor).
• Direction to Staff: Commission instructed staff to draft language that includes homeschool affidavits as part of the educational exemption (alongside 4-H, FFA, or similar bona fide programs). The issue of redefining animal unit equivalencies (e.g., increasing the small animal count per unit) was deferred for a future text amendment, with staff noting it could be addressed in a few months following further research.
• Administrative Updates: Planning Manager Erik Swanson reported that 78 residential permits were approved in the prior month, and several items received council approval.

Work Study Session

• 2028 General Plan Update: Principal Planner Sarah Clark presented the public participation plan adopted by council, formation of a citizen advisory committee, branding ("Rooted in Community, Planning for Tomorrow"), and upcoming outreach events (e.g., Spring into QC on March 28). The planning commission will serve as the primary working group for developing required elements (land use, transportation, water, etc.) over the next 18 months.
• General Plan Amendments – Municipal Planning Area: Two areas are being evaluated for inclusion in the town’s planning area: (1) the Banner hospital area (south of Combs, ~500 acres, ~5,000 population) and (2) the Ironwood & Ocotillo area (~900 acres, ~1,400 population). A neighborhood meeting was held March 24. An introductory public hearing is scheduled for the April 8 commission meeting. No action was taken.