Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Date: February 2, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Sahuarita Town Hall 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Members Present: Commissioner Aaron Escamilla, Commissioner Kevin Rau, Vice Chair Daniel Millet, Chair Mark Ferguson, Commissioner Lori Brown _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Ferguson at 6:00 PM. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Commission and the attending audience led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Roll Call Roll call was called and a quorum was confirmed. 4. Approval of Minutes MOTION was made to approve the December 1, 2025 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting minutes. MOVER: Vice Chair Daniel Millet SECONDER: Commissioner Kevin Rau AYES: (5): Commissioner Aaron Escamilla, Commissioner Kevin Rau, Vice Chair Daniel Millet, Chair Mark Ferguson, and Commissioner Lori Brown RESULT: APPROVED (5 to 0) 5. Public Hearing Discussion and Possible Action 5.a Sahuarita General Plan Public Hearing Orlanthia Henderson, Planning & Zoning Manager, introduced Robbie Aaron from Michael Baker International who provided an overview of the state-mandated General Plan update and voter ratification requirement. Mr. Aaron outlined the 1  formal adoption process, including a second Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing on February 4, 2026 at the La Villita Community Center, a Town Council work session on February 9, 2026, and a Town Council adoption hearing on February 23, 2026, with subsequent public availability of the adopted plan and planned placement on the 2026 primary ballot for voter ratification. Commissioner Aaron Escamilla arrived at 6:09 PM. Chair Ferguson opened the public hearing, and the following individuals spoke: 1. Mel Selway thanked staff and the review committee for their work on the General Plan Update and noted his participation in the public surveys. He raised concerns submitted during the 60-day review period regarding water resources and environmental safety related to the Copper World project, which staff explained would be addressed through future project-specific processes rather than the General Plan. 2. Kate Hartman, Co-Executive Director of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, summarized her organization’s letter and requested a policy applying Pima County’s Conservation Lands System guidelines to future annexations. She noted the guidelines would be flexible, apply only during future rezonings or variances, and expressed willingness to continue discussions despite the late timing of the request. 3. Danny Dunn thanked the Commission and staff for their work on the General Plan Update. He stated his opposition to State Route 410, describing the project as unnecessary and reiterating that it should not be built. With no additional speakers, the Chair closed the public hearing and opened the item for Commission discussion. Commissioners encouraged continued public engagement and submission of written comments identifying where the Plan supports or fails to support specific concerns prior to adoption. Staff further noted that a second public hearing would be held on Wednesday, February 4, at which time the Commission would vote on a recommendation regarding adoption of the General Plan Update, with the ability to include additional motions if desired. 6. Community Development Director's Report Staff reported that the Town Council approved a pre-annexation development agreement with the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation (Phoenix Zoo) and Cypress Climax Metals Company for a proposed wildlife conservation facility on unincorporated Pima County land, outlining a future annexation process that would include zoning transfer and approval of a Type 2 Conditional Use Permit by the Town Council. The Commission was advised that, although Type 2 CUPs normally come before the Commission, this item would bypass the Commission and be heard by Council concurrently with annexation, with staff committing to keep the Commission informed. 2  Staff also provided updates on development plans under review for a new Sherwin- Williams outlet near the Sprouts shopping center and a new Pima Federal Credit Union building at Abrego and Duval Mine Road. 7. Future Agenda Items Future agenda items were reviewed, including a second General Plan Update public hearing and vote on February 4, a Town Council study session and public hearing later in February, and upcoming code amendments related to RV regulations and nonconforming uses. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM. 3