March 12, 2026 Board of Adjustment - BOS Auditorium & GoTo Webinar
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Maricopa County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved two residential variances in District 3 and District 4. BA260006 at 38613 North 19th Avenue (Arellano property) received approval for 10-foot side and rear yard setbacks due to wash constraints and irregular L-shaped lot configuration. BA260012 at 27458 North 143rd Avenue (Newman property) received approval for a 20-foot front yard setback reduction to accommodate development constraints from floodway and erosion setbacks.
Key Decisions (2)
Residential Variance at 38613 North 19th Avenue (Arellano Property)
BA260006 approved for 10-foot side yard setback along 173-foot dimension property line, 10-foot rear yard setback, and 135-foot lot width variance in RU-43 zoning district. The 1.26-acre vacant lot has irregular L-shaped contours, substandard lot width of 135 feet (145 feet required), and Skunk Creek floodplain limiting development. Applicant Carlos Arellano seeks to develop single-family residence with accessory structure.
Residential Variance at 27458 North 143rd Avenue (Newman Property)
BA260012 approved for 20-foot front yard setback along west property line (reduced from required 40 feet) in RU-43 zoning district. The 1.18-acre vacant parcel in Surprise area is constrained by FEMA-designated floodplain on west end and floodway running north-south through middle. Double frontage parcel requires 40-foot setbacks on both east (143rd Avenue) and west (private access easement) sides. Applicant John Newman has building permit application in review for single-family residence.
Development Activity (2)
Arellano Single-Family Residence
Single-family residence with detached accessory structure on 1.26-acre vacant lot. Site includes proposed septic system with required 10-foot distance from structures. Development constrained by Skunk Creek wash on south end and irregular L-shaped lot configuration.
Newman Single-Family Residence
Single-family residence on 1.18-acre vacant lot with building permit application currently in review. Plans include potential future addition of two bedrooms to the south. Existing shipping container to be relocated to meet setback requirements. Site constrained by FEMA floodplain, floodway, erosion setback, and shared well with underground tanks.
Market Signals (2)
Housing Demand
Individual property owners pursuing residential development on challenging lots with significant environmental constraints (floodplains, washes, irregular configurations) in North Phoenix and Surprise areas, indicating continued demand for rural residential development despite site limitations.
Infrastructure
Development in RU-43 zoning districts requires septic systems rather than municipal sewer connections, with specific setback requirements from structures affecting site planning flexibility.