January 8, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - BOS Auditorium & GoTo Webinar
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission approved all zoning cases on the agenda, including a 97-lot residential subdivision (Z250023 Sonoran Serenity) in the Whitman area by 8-0 vote, and removal of age restrictions from the 89-lot Riverwalk subdivision (Z250035) at 99th Avenue and Olive Avenue by 9-0 vote. A temporary use permit for caretaker quarters (TU250049) at 7419 East Culver Street was denied 8-0 due to code violation history and evidence of illegal room rentals. Commissioner Milhaven was elected chair and Commissioner Hernandez vice chair for 2026.
Key Decisions (9)
Election of Commissioner Milhaven as Chair
Commissioner Milhaven elected as Planning and Zoning Commission Chair for 2026, replacing Chairman Lindblom.
Election of Commissioner Hernandez as Vice Chair
Commissioner Hernandez elected as Planning and Zoning Commission Vice Chair for 2026.
Planning and Zoning Commission Bylaws Update
Approved changes to commission bylaws including language about temporary permits now coming to the commission for disposition (previously went to board of adjustment) and updated language on chair's authority to create special committees.
Consent Agenda - NEC 491st Avenue and Thomas Road (CPA250009 and Z250027)
Comp plan amendment to create utilities land use designation and rezoning to Industrial Two IUPD on 638 acres at Northeast Corner of Thomas and 491st Avenue in Harquihala Valley, District 5.
Consent Agenda - All Things Metal 15 Acre Expansion (MCP250010)
Expansion of military compatibility permit for steel fabrication and storage facility in Rural 43 MAA MF zoning district on 15 acres west of Southwest corner of 195th Avenue and Jomax in Whitman area, District 4.
Consent Agenda - Calvary Chapel Arise (Z250018)
C-2 rezoning on 1.5 acres southeast of Southeast corner of 203rd Avenue and Grand Avenue in Whitman area, District 4. Continued from December 4.
Riverwalk Age Restriction Removal (Z250035)
Modification of conditions for previously approved R-1-6 RUPD zoning at Northeast Corner of 99th Avenue and Olive Avenue to remove condition G requiring age restriction (one household member 55+). 89-lot subdivision currently under active development. Site not within senior citizen overlay.
Sonoran Serenity Residential Subdivision (Z250023)
Zone change from Rural 43 to R-1-35 RUPD for future 97-lot residential subdivision on 97 acres in Whitman area. Density approximately one dwelling unit per acre. Smaller lot sizes (30,000 sq ft minimum) allowed due to FEMA floodway bisecting property. Developer will channelize wash and add flood retention basins. Applicant: Michael Ripson representing Lanarme Homes.
Lynn Property Caretaker Quarters Temporary Use Permit (TU250049)
Temporary use permit for RV caretaker quarters at 7419 East Culver Street in East Mesa area denied. Property has history of three code violations since January 2021 including multiple occupied RVs, unpermitted building additions, and rooms being rented. Staff found online listing for room rental at property. Applicant Lee Lin claimed caretaker needed separate living space.
Zoning Changes (4)
Northeast Corner of Thomas and 491st Avenue, Harquihala Valley, District 5
Southeast of Southeast corner of 203rd Avenue and Grand Avenue, Whitman area
Calvary Chapel Arise
Northeast Corner of 99th Avenue and Olive Avenue
Whitman area, 97 acres
Michael Ripson / Lanarme Homes
Development Activity (6)
NEC 491st Avenue and Thomas Road
638 acres rezoned to Industrial Two IUPD with comp plan amendment for utilities land use designation
All Things Metal Expansion
15-acre expansion of military compatibility permit for steel fabrication and storage facility
Calvary Chapel Arise
1.5-acre C-2 rezoning for religious facility
Riverwalk
89 single-family lots, subdivision currently under active development, age restriction removed
Sonoran Serenity
97 single-family residential lots at approximately one dwelling unit per acre. Minimum lot size 30,000 sq ft. Includes wash channelization and flood retention basins. Private septic systems for wastewater.
Walden Ranch
Future development community entitled for 3-5 dwelling units per acre, zoned R-16 RUPD
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
Developer removed age restriction from 89-lot Riverwalk subdivision citing that the White Tank Grand Avenue area plan update in 2023 removed the retirement community land use designation, indicating shift away from age-restricted housing requirements in this area.
Infrastructure
County engineering staff indicated that private development is the only practical path to fund flood channel improvements in the Whitman area, as public funding is unavailable for such infrastructure.
Housing Demand
Walden Ranch development north of Sonoran Serenity is entitled for 3-5 dwelling units per acre, indicating higher density residential development is approved in the Whitman area.
Commercial Demand
638-acre industrial rezoning approved in Harquihala Valley suggests significant industrial/logistics demand in western Maricopa County.