January 15, 2026 Board of Adjustment Meeting - BOS Auditorium & GoTo Webinar
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Maricopa County Board of Adjustment approved all six variance requests heard, including setback reductions for residential development constrained by floodplains at 223 W Saddle Mountain Road (5-0), lot size/width variances for three Prieto properties created by surveyor error (all 5-0), setback variances for an ADU and pool ramada at the Amarillo property in Rio Verde Foothills (5-0), and rear yard coverage variance for a 2,631 sq ft casita at Central Avenue and Tumbleweed Drive (4-0). One case (479 Cayenne Drive rear setback variance) was continued to the next meeting due to applicant absence.
Key Decisions (9)
Front Yard Setback Variance at 223 W Saddle Mountain Road
Variance approved to reduce front yard setback from 80 feet to 42 feet (2 feet from 40-foot easement) for primary residence development on 1-acre RU-43 zoned parcel. Floodplain and floodway cover southern 137 feet of parcel, constraining buildable area. Applicant: 223 Saddle Mountain LLC.
Setback Variances for Stevens Residence at 49450 N 15th Avenue
Variance approved to recognize existing encroachments: 15-foot west street side setback (20 feet required) and 30-foot rear setback (40 feet required) for covered patios constructed without permits circa 2017-2018 by previous owner. RU-43 zoning, 78,147 sq ft lot in New River area. Current owner seeking to memorialize conditions before constructing compliant addition on south side.
Lot Size/Width Variance - Prieto Property Lot 4
Variance approved to establish lot area less than 43,560 sq ft and width of 132 feet (145 feet required) for RU-43 zoned parcel. Substandard lot created by surveyor error during lot split where parcels were incorrectly labeled as 1.00 acres. Applicant: Sonia and Martin Prieto. Case BA2500073.
Lot Size/Width Variance - Prieto Property Lot 2
Variance approved to establish lot area less than 43,560 sq ft and width of 132 feet (145 feet required) for RU-43 zoned parcel created by surveyor error. Applicant: Sonia and Martin Prieto. Case BA2500074.
Lot Size/Width Variance - Prieto Property Lot 1
Variance approved to establish lot area less than 43,560 sq ft and width of 132 feet (145 feet required) for RU-43 zoned parcel created by surveyor error. Applicant: Sonia and Martin Prieto. Case BA2500075.
Street Side Setback Variances - Amarillo Property in Rio Verde Foothills
Variance approved for 3-foot west street side setback and 10-foot east street side setback (20 feet required for both) to accommodate detached ADU with RV garage on west side and pool with ramada on east side. Property has street frontage on three sides (138th Way, 139th Street, Casey Lane). Wash bisects property limiting buildable area. Applicant: Brian and Nicole Amarillo. APN 21939241B.
Rear Setback Variance at 479 Cayenne Drive, Morristown
Request for 16-foot rear setback (25 feet required) for 13x28 attached patio cover in R-1-6 zoning district continued to next meeting due to applicant absence. Circle City community.
Rear Yard Coverage Variance - Collins Casita at Central Ave & Tumbleweed Drive
Variance approved to allow ADU to occupy 41% of rear yard (30% maximum permitted) for 2,631 sq ft casita structure in RU-43 zoning district. Parcel is 43,522 sq ft (slightly under 1 acre). Structure to be 9 feet from rear property boundary. Applicant: Chandra Collins.
Election of Board Officers
Member Persson elected as new Chair, Member Clapp elected as Vice Chair, replacing outgoing Chairman Loper who served nearly a decade.
Development Activity (4)
223 Saddle Mountain LLC Residence
Primary single-family residence on 1-acre RU-43 parcel. Development constrained by floodplain/floodway covering southern 137 feet. Building permit went through five review cycles attempting to accommodate setbacks and drainage.
Stevens Residence Addition
Proposed addition on south side of existing 1988 residence. Variance memorializes existing covered patio encroachments from 2017-2018 to allow new compliant construction.
Amarillo Property Improvements
Detached ADU with RV garage connected to main driveway on west side, swimming pool with ramada on east side. Existing single-family residence built 2004.
Collins Casita/ADU
2,631 sq ft accessory dwelling unit with oversized bathrooms and secondary bedroom to accommodate elderly parents. Structure 9 feet from rear property boundary. Future pool planned.
Market Signals (3)
Housing Demand
Multiple ADU/casita projects approved in single meeting suggests growing demand for multi-generational housing and accessory dwelling units in Maricopa County's rural residential areas.
Infrastructure
Floodplain and wash constraints significantly impact developable area on Desert Hills and Rio Verde Foothills properties, requiring variance relief for reasonable residential development.
Sentiment
Board demonstrated willingness to approve variances for residential improvements when hardships stem from physical site constraints or prior owner/surveyor errors rather than applicant-created conditions.