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Record of Proceedings

Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting – September 9, 2026

Town Council & Commissions — Wednesday, September 9, 2026
BodyQueen Creek, Arizona
SessionTown Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, September 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:27:00

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:07

It really is.

2:08

Seven B, right?

2:14

There's no six B.

2:16

So possible.

3:17

Same.

3:18

Okay.

3:30

Okay.

3:30

I will call to order the regular session of the Queen Creek Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

3:38

And before we call roll, I just want to acknowledge a couple of things.

3:43

Um, our uh amazing chair and vice chair are unfortunately not able to be with us tonight.

3:49

So you get the junior varsity who's gonna run this meeting tonight.

3:53

Um, another really important thing is we have a brand new member of our board here, Mr.

3:58

Rick.

3:58

Can you just take a minute and tell us a little bit about yourself, who you are, where you're from, what do you like?

4:02

Whatever you want to tell us.

4:04

Yeah, no problem.

4:05

Uh my name is Rick Blazer, or Richard Blazer, and um I've been in Queen Creek now for six years, and I came from Gilbert, and before that I grew up in Orange County, so um love being out here.

4:18

Summers are a struggle at times, but other than that, we really enjoy your times out here, and I'm kind of an olibbor.

4:26

I like to do I have uh I'm in an old cars, I have an old classic car that I like, and I also do gardening.

4:32

So that's great.

4:33

Kind of an odd mixture.

4:34

That doesn't sound odd oddball at all to me.

4:36

That was two great hobbies.

4:37

Well, thank you so much.

4:38

Grateful that you're here on our board.

4:40

Um, sir, can we call the role?

4:43

Commissioner Blazier.

4:46

Commissioner Bordis.

4:48

Commissioner Baldwin.

4:50

Commissioner Hale.

4:52

Here.

4:53

Commissioner Ballard.

4:55

Here.

4:56

Commissioner Matheson.

4:57

Here.

4:58

Chair Gillette.

4:59

Thank you so much.

5:00

We have a quorum.

5:01

Okay.

5:02

So now we are going to go ahead and let's have let's have our start with our Pledge of Allegiance.

5:08

So please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:27

So much.

5:34

Okay.

5:34

Um this is the time where we're gonna have our public comment.

5:38

Um if there's any members of the audience who would like to address the commission on any matter that's not on our printed agenda.

5:46

We would love to hear from that right now.

5:48

I don't have any cards, sir.

5:49

Do we still not have any cards for that?

5:51

We have none.

5:51

Okay.

5:52

Um so seeing none, we will move on to the next item, um, which is our consent agenda.

5:59

Right now, we just have the meeting, uh, the minutes from our previous meeting in August, and I will entertain a motion on the consent agenda.

6:15

I move to improve the uh minutes from the August 12th, 2026 meeting.

6:20

Okay, so we have uh motion and a second by Commissioner Hale.

6:25

What's that?

6:26

Sorry, I was gonna second it.

6:27

You can second if you we can have lots of seconds.

6:30

Yeah, all right.

6:31

I'll second.

6:32

So we have uh Commissioner Baldwin and yes, and then we have Commissioner Bordis as our second, and now we will vote.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████████████████████32%
Zoning███████████████████████████████31%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Procedural███████7%
Public Engagement█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Code Enforcement███3%
Transportation Safety███3%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting – September 9, 2026

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular meeting and work study session on September 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Community Chambers. The regular session included approvals for a parking lot expansion, a residential rezoning and site plan, and a comprehensive sign plan. The work study session provided an update on the town's water strategy, including a proposed water resource fee.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the August 12, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes (motion carried unanimously).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Carder Development Rezone and Site Plan (P26-0081/P26-0082): No public speakers. A letter of support from the adjacent residential neighbor was submitted.
  • Summerwell Residences Rezoning and Site Plan (P26-0058/P26-0059): Two members of the public spoke:
  • Brett Crosby (1916 East Macaw Drive) expressed support, noting the site is a vacant dirt lot and the proposed single-family rental community is a better option than the previous apartment plan. He acknowledged traffic concerns but stated residential generates less traffic than commercial.
  • Joe Kolnick (18585 East Raven Drive, owner of Coldstone Creamery) opposed the rezoning, arguing the property was designated commercial in the voter-approved general plan, that the town council previously rejected a residential rezone, and that the community needs commercial amenities like a grocery store. He also raised water demand concerns.
  • Written comments: 30 received by September 1 (27 opposed, 3 in support). An additional 13 comments from the applicant (neighboring businesses) were received on September 8, all in support.

Discussion Items

Carder Development Rezone and Site Plan (P26-0081/P26-0082)

  • Applicant: Chris Webb (Rose Law Group) representing the Carter family.
  • Proposal: Rezone 0.72 acres (31,426 SF) from R1-43 to C-1 and approve a site plan for a parking lot expansion for the adjacent Carder Development office building, located north of Happy and Ellsworth roads.
  • Key details: The narrow parcel (95 ft wide) is a remnant from Ellsworth Road widening. The new lot will add 50 parking spaces (total 101) to accommodate medical office users. Deviations requested for reduced setbacks and landscape buffers. The existing driveway on Ellsworth will be improved with a new right-turn lane. A letter of support from the only adjacent resident was provided.
  • Staff presentation by Nathan Warren, followed by applicant presentation. No questions from commissioners.
  • Motion to approve both cases carried unanimously.

Summerwell Residences Rezoning and Site Plan (P26-0058/P26-0059)

  • Applicant: Brendan Ray (on behalf of Graystar) and Tyler Wright (owner, Arc Private Capital Solutions).
  • Proposal: Rezone 16.8 acres from C-2 (General Commercial) to MDR/PAD (Medium Density Residential/Planned Area Development) and approve a site plan for 150 single-family attached and detached rental units (102 single-family, 48 duplex), a clubhouse, pool, dog park, and other amenities. Located 300 ft east of Germann and Power roads.
  • Density: 9 units per acre (150 units on 15.5 net acres). 40% open space (6 acres). Parking: 427 spaces (247 garage, 155 driveway, 25 standard). Unit sizes: 1,200–1,700 sq ft. All units have private fenced rear yards. Gated community, three access points (one full access on Germann, two egress-only).
  • Traffic analysis: The applicant compared commercial use (8,000+ daily trips) vs. proposed residential (significantly fewer trips). A right-turn deceleration lane on Germann will be required.
  • Water demand: Applicant stated a 10–15% difference in water use compared to commercial, with an exemption from the 100-year supply rule (state-level) but town review will occur.
  • Neighborhood meeting held August 26, 2026; 6 residents attended out of 251 notified. 331 total notices sent.
  • Commissioners expressed support: noted the improved design from the earlier 2024 apartment proposal, the limitations on commercial development (restrictive covenants with Home Depot, lack of market interest), and the need for housing options. One commissioner initially skeptical but changed position after hearing lack of commercial viability.
  • Motion to approve both cases carried unanimously (recommendation to Town Council).

LGES Comprehensive Sign Plan (P26-0100)

  • Applicant: Blair Gillespie (Ware Malcomb) for LG Energy Solution battery plant at southeast corner of Ironwood Drive and Pecos Road.
  • Proposal: Comprehensive sign plan for the 109-acre campus (1.4 million sq ft manufacturing facility). Three requested deviations from zoning ordinance:
  1. Increase aggregate building-mounted wall signage from 150 sq ft to 1,910 sq ft (three signs on 2,000+ ft building elevation).
  2. Increase monument sign area from 48 sq ft to 96 sq ft for one sign at Pecos Road entrance.
  3. Increase vehicle direction signage from 3 sq ft to 8–43 sq ft for 14 signs.
  • All other signage (one monument sign, five building identifiers) meets standards. No signage faces residential uses.
  • Staff presentation by Sarah Clark. No questions from commissioners.
  • Motion to approve as presented carried unanimously (final action by commission).

Administrative Items

  • Planning Manager Erik Swanson provided a recent planning activity update: 57 single-family permits issued in August; approvals for Queen Creek Fleet Maintenance Facility, Oleah Grove (Bosma Farms), HTO restaurant (tea/drinks), and continued general plan update. Commissioners encouraged to participate via QueenCreekGP.com.

Key Outcomes

  • Carder Development: Approved unanimously (P26-0081 and P26-0082).
  • Summerwell Residences: Approved unanimously (recommendation to Town Council).
  • LGES Sign Plan: Approved unanimously (final action).
  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
  • Work Study Session: No action taken. Town water strategy update presented by Assistant Town Manager Shea Joachim. Proposed water resource fee to fund water portfolio (Harquahala water assets, infrastructure, replacement water). Fee phased over 5 years; combined accounts (water+sewer) receive 40% credit. Public outreach ongoing; council to consider notice of intent on September 16, 2026, with public hearing November 18, 2026. Effective date for fee: January 2027. Other proposed fee adjustments (water tiered rates, wastewater, solid waste) also presented.

Meeting Transcript

It really is. Seven B, right? There's no six B. So possible. Same. Okay. Okay. I will call to order the regular session of the Queen Creek Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. And before we call roll, I just want to acknowledge a couple of things. Um, our uh amazing chair and vice chair are unfortunately not able to be with us tonight. So you get the junior varsity who's gonna run this meeting tonight. Um, another really important thing is we have a brand new member of our board here, Mr. Rick. Can you just take a minute and tell us a little bit about yourself, who you are, where you're from, what do you like? Whatever you want to tell us. Yeah, no problem. Uh my name is Rick Blazer, or Richard Blazer, and um I've been in Queen Creek now for six years, and I came from Gilbert, and before that I grew up in Orange County, so um love being out here. Summers are a struggle at times, but other than that, we really enjoy your times out here, and I'm kind of an olibbor. I like to do I have uh I'm in an old cars, I have an old classic car that I like, and I also do gardening. So that's great. Kind of an odd mixture. That doesn't sound odd oddball at all to me. That was two great hobbies. Well, thank you so much. Grateful that you're here on our board. Um, sir, can we call the role? Commissioner Blazier. Commissioner Bordis. Commissioner Baldwin. Commissioner Hale. Here. Commissioner Ballard. Here. Commissioner Matheson. Here. Chair Gillette. Thank you so much. We have a quorum. Okay. So now we are going to go ahead and let's have let's have our start with our Pledge of Allegiance. So please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. So much. Okay. Um this is the time where we're gonna have our public comment. Um if there's any members of the audience who would like to address the commission on any matter that's not on our printed agenda. We would love to hear from that right now. I don't have any cards, sir. Do we still not have any cards for that? We have none. Okay.

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