SIERRA VISTA HERALD: Thurs., July 13, 2006
County P&Z commission delays decision on development
BISBEE — The Cochise County Planning & Zoning Commission on Wednesday held off making any decisions on a proposed residential development and an equipment yard.
The commission tabled the request by Landmark Engineering Inc. to rezone 311 acres from rural, with a minimum of 4 acres, to single household residential, with a minimum lot size of 87,120 square feet. The commission wanted the developer of Red Hawk Ranch III, located a half mile west of South J-Six Ranch Road and 2 miles south of I-10, to answer questions on what water conservation measures would be in place and meet with a homeowners association.
The county Planning Department is recommending the request be forwarded on to the Board of Supervisors for approval, with conditions including a new designation of water adequacy and an agreement by developers to help with construction of a road connecting the J-Six Ranch road with Highway 90.
Two factors favoring approval are a density substantially lower than what is allowed in the area and the applicant's showing there is an adequate water supply. Factors favoring denial include residents' concerns over increased traffic and the preservation of historic/cultural resources on the property that should be identified and protected.