Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular MeetingApache Junction, AZ · February 25, 2014
Minutes
Meeting location:
City of Apache Junction, Arizona
City Council Chambers
at City Hall
Meeting Minutes 300 E Superstition Blvd
Apache Junction, AZ
Planning and Zoning Commission 85119
www.ajcity.net
Ph: (480) 982-8002
www.ajcity.net
P: (480) 474-5083
F: (480) 982-7010
Theresa Nesser, Chair
Colleen Hill, Vice Chair
Luciano Buzzin, Commissioner
Peter Heck, Commissioner
Liza Kovach, Commissioner
Pat Richmond, Commissioner
Robert Schroeder, Commissioner
Tuesday, February 25, 2014 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Tess Nesser led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Roll Call
Present 7- Chairperson Nesser
Vice Chair Hill
Commissioner Buzzin
Commissioner Heck
Commissioner Kovach
Commissioner Richmond
Commissioner Schroeder
Staff present:
City Attorney Joel Stern
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
Director Brad Steinke
4. Consent Agenda
Yes: 7- Commissioner Buzzin, Commissioner Kovach, Commissioner Richmond,
Chairperson Nesser, Commissioner Heck, Vice Chair Hill and Commissioner
Schroeder
No: 0
Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda and the minutes of January 28,
2014, meeting as presented. Commissioner Buzzin seconded the motion. The Planning and
Zoning Commission approved the Consent Agenda and the minutes as presented.
14-123 Acceptance of Agenda.
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Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes February 25, 2014
14-122 Approval of regular meeting minutes of January 28, 2014.
5. Call to the Public
None.
6. Public Hearings
14-121 Public hearing and consideration regarding a city council recommendation to
approve the proposed updated zoning ordinance, which includes the zoning
regulations and the zoning maps. Public hearing and recommendation.
Sponsors: Brad Steinke
Yes: 7- Commissioner Buzzin, Commissioner Kovach, Commissioner Richmond,
Chairperson Nesser, Commissioner Heck, Vice Chair Hill and Commissioner
Schroeder
No: 0
Development Director Brad Steinke presented the proposed zoning code text and zoning maps.
He explained several code highlights and described the public input received by the city as a
result of the public hearing notice. Mr. Steinke then suggested to the Commission that they could
either recommend approval of the zoning code update as is, recommend it with specific
amendments or continue the public hearing to a future date for approval at that time.
Chair Nesser indicated that she preferred the 3rd option, which would allow the Commission time
to consider the public comment at tonight’s meeting and possible changes to the code.
Commissioner Richmond agreed and thought the Commission would need more time to review
any staff changes.
The public hearing was opened.
Ms. Donna Arnik, a local park manager, asked the Commission to consider amending the code to
allow modular, as well as conventional, construction for mobile home/RV park amenity buildings.
Mr. Packy Flickinger, 1676 N. Manzanita, Apache Junction, asked that the Commission rezone or
redefine road access in his neighborhood to prevent horses and ATVs from traversing through
his neighborhood.
Ms. Angie Covin, Gold Canyon resident and local business owner, asked the Commission to
change the setbacks in mobile home parks from 5-feet to 3-feet.
Mr. David Shiplet, 2260 Apache Trail, asked that the Commission reduce the red tape of
bureaucracy and work a little better with the residents to remove blight.
Mr. Hector Martinez, AJ Auto Care Owner, asked the Commission to rezone his property from
residential to commercial in order to legitimize his current business and allow him to make
upgrades to the site.
Mr. Craig Ocaton, Apache Junction resident, asked the Commission to prohibit small livestock
and foul on smaller residential properties due to the noise and smell.
Ms. Nancy Kearner, Goldfield Road resident, urged the Commission not to increase the
residential density in the rural area.
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Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes February 25, 2014
Ms. Tracy Peckham, 1124 W. 15th Street, Apache Junction, asked the Commission to allow greater
flexibility with foul on smaller residential lots.
There being no one else wanting to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Hill asked Mr. Steinke about the rezoning request for AJ Auto Care. Mr. Steinke
responded that staff would further analyze this property and return to the Commission with a
recommendation.
Commissioner Richmond asked staff about the impact of changing the rules regarding chickens.
Mr. Steinke indicated that the proposed code would provide the right to have chickens on smaller
residential lots, whereas the existing code does not. City Attorney Stern also noted that a bill is
currently in the state legislature that, if approved, would pre-empt cities from prohibiting chickens
in single-family zones.
Mr. Steinke then indicated that, based on public comment, there were multiple staff recommended
changes to the draft code for the Commission to review and consider.
Commissioners determined that they needed more time to review and consider these changes.
Commissioner Hill made a motion to to continue the public hearing to March 11, 2014 Special
Public Hearing and Work Session Meeting.
Commissioner Richmond seconded the motion. The motion to continue the public hearing
passed.
7. Old Business
None.
8. New Business
None.
9. Information and Reports
None.
10. Director's Report
None.
11. Selection of Meeting Dates, Times, Location and Purpose
Yes: 7- Chairperson Nesser, Vice Chair Hill, Commissioner Buzzin, Commissioner
Heck, Commissioner Kovach, Commissioner Richmond and Commissioner
Schroeder
No: 0
Commissioner Richmond motioned and Commissioner Hill seconded to hold a Special Public
Hearing and Work Session Meeting on March 11, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers
located at 300 E. Superstition Boulevard, and hold a Regular Meeting on March 25, 2014, at 7:00
p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 300 E. Superstition Boulevard.
12. Adjournment
Chairperson Tess Nesser adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes February 25, 2014
______________________________
Theresa Nesser
Chairperson
City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4
Agenda
Meeting location:
City of Apache Junction, Arizona
City Council Chambers
at City Hall
300 E Superstition Blvd
Agenda Apache Junction, AZ
85119
Planning and Zoning Commission
www.ajcity.net
Ph: (480) 982-8002
www.ajcity.net
P: (480) 474-5083
F: (480) 982-7010
Theresa Nesser, Chair
Colleen Hill, Vice Chair
Luciano Buzzin, Commissioner
Peter Heck, Commissioner
Liza Kovach, Commissioner
Pat Richmond, Commissioner
Robert Schroeder, Commissioner
Tuesday, February 25, 2014 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Consent Agenda
The following non-controversial items have been grouped together for action by one unanimous vote as
a time-saving device. Any Commissioner may remove an item from the Consent Agenda for discussion
and separate action.
14-123 Acceptance of Agenda.
14-122 Approval of regular meeting minutes of January 28, 2014.
5. Call to the Public
This is the time set aside at each of our meetings for the public to address the Planning and Zoning
Commission. If you wish to speak, you must fill out a Request to Speak form and hand it to the Clerk. If
there is a group speaking on the same subject, please choose a spokesperson to avoid repetition. If
you have any materials that you want to circulate to the Chairman and Commissioners, please hand
them to the Clerk and he/she will distribute them to us.
Requests, petitions, remonstrances, communications, comments or suggestions from citizens shall be
heard. However, Call to the Public is typically limited to planning or zoning matters within the jurisdiction
of the City. No personal attacks shall be permitted and common courtesy should be practiced at all
times. All remarks shall be addressed to the Commission as a whole and not to any one member of the
Commission, City staff or the public.
Each speaker must approach the podium, face the Commission, speak into the microphone, and
provide their name and address. There is a three (3) minute time limit per speaker. If the content of the
information relates to a public hearing, the Chairman may advise the speaker to wait for the public
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Planning and Zoning Commission Agenda February 25, 2014
hearing on that particular issue.
Under Arizona law, the Commission may not answer questions of the speaker, but may at the
conclusion of Call to the Public:
6. Public Hearings
Arizona Open Meeting Law allows individuals to address this government body on any issue within its
jurisdiction. Members may not answer your questions or discuss your comments at this time. However,
at the conclusion of the Call to Public, they may do any of the following: 1) respond to criticism made by
any individual who addresses them; 2) ask staff to review a matter; 3) ask staff to place the matter on a
future agenda. This entity shall not discuss or take legal action on matters raised at Call to Public
unless the matters have been properly noticed for discussion and legal action. Please stand and state
your name and address after being called to speak. There is a three (3) minute time limit per speaker.
14-121 Public hearing and consideration regarding a city council
recommendation to approve the proposed updated zoning ordinance,
which includes the zoning regulations and the zoning maps. Public
hearing and recommendation.
Sponsors: Brad Steinke
7. Old Business
8. New Business
The Commission shall consider any business not yet considered. Arizona Open Meeting Law prohibits
public comments at this time.
9. Information and Reports
The Chair at this time may announce information regarding activities involving Planning and Zoning
matters, such as, but not limited to attendance of Commission Members at community meetings or
events, seminars or conferences, or upcoming events or conferences.
10. Director's Report
The Development Services Director, members of City staff or those individuals designated by the
Manager, may present information pertinent to items under consideration or information related to the
operation of the City.
11. Selection of Meeting Dates, Times, Location and Purpose
Hold a Work Session Meeting on March 11, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at
300 E. Superstition Boulevard, and hold a Regular Meeting on March 25, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in the City
Council Chambers located at 300 E. Superstition Boulevard.
12. Adjournment
Copies of this agenda and additional information regarding any of the items listed above may be
reviewed from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, except holidays, at the Department of
Development Services, Planning Division, City Hall Complex, 300 East Superstition Boulevard, Apache
Junction, Arizona, 85119-2889, telephone number is (480)474-5083.
If any person with a disability needs any type of accommodation, please notify the Human Resource
Office at (480)474-5067 or (480)983-0095 (TDD) at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled time.
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Planning and Zoning Commission Agenda February 25, 2014
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