Third Quarter Pima County Planning and Zoning Boards Update

This is a now-quarterly report of action taken at the meetings of the Pima County Board of Adjustment, Hearing Administrator, Design Review Committee, and Planning and Zoning Commission. This report also includes important Pima County Board of Supervisors actions relating to land use and zoning. This previous post explains the functions of each county board.

• Board of Adjustment
  The District One Board of Adjustment and the District Three Board of Adjustment heard variance requests to allow permanent occupancy in guest houses. The District Four Board of Adjustment heard two cases to reduce the minimum lot size required in the SR zone, which is somewhat unusual.  District Five still has not posted anything online since March. 
• Hearing Administrator
  The Hearing Administrator approved an interesting request for an 18-foot communication tower to relay internet service in a rural area. The Hearing Administrator recommended denial of an application for a Type II conditional use permit for the planned Bike Ranch near Old Spanish Trail and Escalante. 
• Design Review Committee (DRC)
  Nothing of note (at least that has been posted online) has occurred at the DRC.
• Planning and Zoning Commission
  On July 30, 2014, the P&Z Commission voted to recommend an amendment to the Major Streets and Scenic Routes Plan that lays the groundwork for an eventual limited-access highway connecting I-10 and I-19 from E. Old Vail Connection Road to E. Pima Mine Road. The amendment, if the Pima County Board of Supervisors adopts it, could be construed as a regulatory taking because it expands the future right-of-way width from 150 feet to 400 feet in some instances, restricting development options along valuable frontage property. 

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted on September 16, 2014 to continue until the meeting on October 7, 2014, a vote on the recommended amendment to the Major Streets and Scenic Routes Plan.