Queen Creek Town Council Regular Meeting - April 15, 2026: Animal Regulations Amendment Approved
Queen Creek Town Council Regular Meeting - April 15, 2026
The Queen Creek Town Council held a regular meeting on April 15, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Community Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, committee reports, a public hearing on animal regulations, and a consent agenda. The council unanimously approved an amended ordinance that removes animal unit counts for lots of one acre or larger, permits swine on such lots, and eliminates educational exemptions, while maintaining nuisance and welfare standards.
Ceremonial Matters
- Star Student & Teacher Recognition: The council recognized six students (Jet Rowan, Chloe Kleinbrell, Prat Lod, Kenley Rodriguez, Peyton, Logan, Ezri) and five teachers (Itzel Moreno, Kelly Bowen, Tara Prescott, Paul Boudet, Corey Rislin) from Queen Creek schools. Local businesses provided treats for students and teachers.
Committee Reports
- Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee (April 14, 2026): Chair David Dobbs reported on the Arizona Soccer Club season (1,547 participants, 56% residency), the Recreation & Aquatic Center Birthday Bash (140 attendees), Spring into QC 2026 (1,600 attendees, weather challenges), and the Founders Dog Park grand opening. The committee selected the name "Manta Rays" for the morning swim team and discussed 2027 work plan goals including youth engagement and equestrian community outreach.
- Mayor's Teen Advisory Committee (MTAC) & Downtown Arts & Placemaking Committee (April 14, 2026): MTAC Chair Gabby Chambers presented a joint meeting on a teen mental health awareness art initiative. MTAC also presented a proposed use of a $5,000 donation from Crown Castle, allocating funds for a downtown mural project ($1,500), a fall teen event ($2,000), annual drive-in movie support ($1,500), and community outreach ($500). Council expressed appreciation and support.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent agenda unanimously, including:
- Approval of April 1, 2026 Regular Session minutes.
- Reappointment of seven members and appointment of Michelle Kim to the Economic Development Commission (terms ending August 31, 2028).
- Expenditures over $75,000: IGA with Pinal County for $251,650 (utility relocation/road improvements); Colliers Engineering for $82,000 (waterline extension); Carasoft Technology for $173,000 (police software); ProForce Law Enforcement and others for $200,000 (ammunition/equipment); Inveris/ADS for $310,000 (simulation system, partially grant-funded).
- Authority to acquire right-of-way for sewer rehabilitation ($328,000).
- IGA with Maricopa County for Power Road improvements.
- Resolution No. 1665-26 accepting $311,720 OHV enforcement grant.
- Resolution No. 1666-26 authorizing legal actions for a UPRR crossing at Sossaman and Germann Roads.
Public Comments & Testimony
- 17 speakers addressed the council during the public hearing on the animal regulations text amendment. Most speakers were Queen Creek residents, 4-H participants, or agricultural stakeholders. Key positions included:
- Support for removing animal unit counts: Multiple speakers argued that the focus should be on animal welfare and nuisance, not on restrictive counts. They emphasized that responsible ownership, not government numbers, preserves rural character. Examples: "It's not about how many animals you have, but how you keep them" (Tiffany Bodden).
- Concerns about educational exemptions: Speakers requested that families be allowed to retain animals after youth age out of 4-H/FFA programs, citing long-term breeding programs and lifetime animal companions. "These families provide knowledge, support, and genetics to other youth" (Ellery Lane).
- Support for allowing swine: Several speakers urged the removal of the swine prohibition for non-educational purposes, noting that responsible ownership can mitigate nuisances. "I fail to understand the harm in letting families in good standing retain their program" (Ellery Lane).
- Opposition to animal unit counts: Some speakers wanted the counts removed entirely, arguing they are based on grazing standards not applicable to supplemented feeding. "Animal owners should be able to decide how many animals they can properly care for without causing nuisances" (Robert Askey).
- Support for the proposed amendment: Some speakers, like Dan Sanderson and Wendy Feldman Kerr, supported the staff proposal as a step forward, noting it loosens restrictions compared to the current code.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing on Ordinance 889-26 (Animal Regulations Text Amendment): Planning Manager Eric Swanson presented the background, noting the amendment corrects a 2019 code error that increased required square footage per animal unit from 3,000 to 30,000 sq ft. The amendment proposed returning to 3,000 sq ft per animal unit, expanding educational exemptions to homeschoolers, adjusting stable/corral standards, and clarifying public nuisance definitions. The Planning Commission voted 5-1-1 (one dissenting on homeschool language, one call dropped) in favor.
- Council Discussion: Several council members expressed support for removing animal unit counts entirely and focusing on nuisance and welfare. Councilmember Brown asked about code enforcement and county comparisons; staff confirmed Maricopa County has no animal unit counts but stronger nuisance standards. Councilmember Padilla raised an alternative motion to remove animal unit counts for lots half an acre and larger and permit swine on half-acre lots, but it lacked a second. Vice Mayor McClure then moved to amend the ordinance to remove animal unit counts for lots one acre and larger, permit swine on one-acre lots, and remove educational exemption language, with all other provisions of the staff recommendation remaining. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Oliphant and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Ordinance 889-26 (as amended): The council voted 7-0 to approve the text amendment with the following changes:
- Remove animal unit count allowances for all lots one acre and larger.
- Permit the keeping of swine on lots one acre and larger.
- Remove language pertaining to educational exemptions (including 4-H/FFA waivers).
- All other components of the staff recommendation remain, including updated stable/corral standards, grazing/shading requirements, and public nuisance rules for waste management.
- Next Steps: Staff will finalize the ordinance and continue to evaluate potential future amendments regarding animal unit equivalencies (e.g., large vs. small animals) as requested by the Planning Commission.
- Executive Session: The council adjourned to executive session for legal advice on water rights and litigation (Sentry Storage LLC v. Town of Queen Creek) under A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3), (4), (7).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. This meeting is now now called to order. Maria, would you please call roll for us? Councilmember Brown. I'm here. Mayor Wheatley. I'm here. Councilmember Olivant. Here. Councilmember Benning. Here. Councilmember Martinell. Here. Miss Mayor McClure. Here. Councilmember. Here. We do have a full quorum mayor. Excellent. Thank you, Maria. Your town council provides the opportunity for the public to speak during tonight's meeting. Please fill out a request to speak card located near the entrance of the community chambers and return this card to the box, and it will be provided to the town clerk. During the corresponding agenda item, you will be called to the podium and are limited to three minutes. Only one comment, either in person or via email per person per agenda item will be allowed. Please ensure that the topics are within the town's purview. The town council is very appreciative of the honor to serve you and appreciate the engagement and feedback from the public. Thank you. Please be seated. Our invocing is from Chris Young from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thank you so much for joining us. Mayor, members of the council, thank you for letting me be here. Um I thought it was appropriate with Easter recently passing to talk about the commandment of Jesus Christ to love one another. And that that's how we should live our lives with love one towards another, despite differences and um there's a lot of turmoil in the world right now. No better time than to take up that commandment and love one another than now and see across borders and differences. That that's what the we should be doing. We ask that thy spirit be with them to give them uh inspiration on how to move this good good city and town forward. Father, we are grateful for those men and women that give their life and effort each and every day in our service. We ask the blessing on them and their families, that they will be watched over, protected, and at peace. We pray for our leaders domestically and abroad that they will be inspired to move us in the right direction. We pray for thy guidance and again give thee our thanks for thy hand in our lives and for that of thy son, Jesus Christ in his name. Amen. Amen. Thank you for that blessing. We appreciate you being here this evening. Next, we will move into our ceremonial matters. And I am very excited to recognize another group of star students and star teachers this evening. We recently honored six students and four teachers at our April 1st meeting, and we're excited to recognize additional students and teachers this evening as part of this program. As part of this program, all schools within Queen Creek are welcome to nominate one student to recognize each school year. My council colleagues will read a brief excerpt from their nomination, and then I would ask the student, their families, and any school representatives to please join me for a photo down on the floor. I'd also like to ask each of the students to remain standing to the side until all students have been recognized.
openpublica.com