edward
01-22-2008, 02:47 PM
Pinal County Board of Supervisors Meeting November 28
It is imperative that all Horselovers and Rural Lifestyles understand the importance of the issues not only in Pinal, but Maricopa, Yavapai and in cities and towns like Camp Verde, Scottsdale and Apache Junction
This month I want to focus on the details of a Pinal County Board of Supervisors meeting I attended along with fellow AZ State Horsemen’s Assn board member Jean Anderson.
Before I get to the specifics of the meeting, let’s review our goals:
There are two major issues, which require our collective attention. The first, our short-term goal, is to affect favorable change on all ordinances that discriminate against horse owners and the rural lifestyle. For example: limits on livestock in any rural zone, lighting and trailer parking limitations and 50’ building setbacks that unnecessarily reduce usability. Our second goal is to secure permanent protection for our Rural/Equestrian Lifestyle. If we fail to accomplish this goal then it’s just a matter of time until our lifestyle is history.
This is why! In the New Pinal Co. P & Z it states:
“702.2 The Planning Commission on its own motion may propose a rezoning.”
“702.3 A property owner or authorized agent of a property owner may propose a rezoning through the application process.”
What will happen in this county if property owners or P & Z (or developer influence) can change their zoning? (And don’t let the word “propose” lead you to think that it won’t happen). County islands, Annexation, and CCR’s that eliminate or block equestrian access will destroy the rural life style.
On November 28, Jean and I attended the Pinal Co. Board of Supervisors Meeting that was held, in part, to amend the existing Comprehensive Plan. At the end of the agenda on Zoning changes, each individual supervisor spoke about their support of the rural/equestrian lifestyle. Heart warming isn’t it? They support us; they have in the past and always will in the future, right? While they may be well intentioned, it was just moments after they had all voted unanimously to change Rural Zoning (GR) to Single Family (SF) Zoning on the following: (These were not amendments, but ordinary business for the board. Each was pre approved by the “Planning Commission” prior to the meeting)
A) 159 Acres GR to SF, Gallup Financial Applicant. 557 houses
B) 159 Acres GR to SF, Gallup Financial Applicant. 557 houses
C) 80 Acres/280 houses Application voluntarily withdrawn
D) 80 Acres/280 houses Application voluntarily withdrawn
E) 80 Acres GR to SF, Adcox Ventures
F) 73.20 Acres GR to SF Kino Trails LLC Applicant. 256 houses
G) 73.20 Acres GR to SF Kino Trails LLC Applicant. 256 houses
The following parcel was previously state land:
A) 6,540 Acres from Development Sensitive, Transitional, Urban, and Industrial to Rural, Urban, Commercial Activity Center and Industrial. Approximately 1300 Acres was to be the Rural portion.
The BOS approved and converted a total of 544.4 acres to 1626+ housing units. 6540 acres of vacant land owned by the state became 5200 acres of urban, commercial and industrial. Remember, that these folks are concerned about protecting the rural lifestyle, but they are making decisions one parcel at a time. They fail to realize that they take away our lifestyle one parcel at a time. At the current rate of conversions from Rural to Single Family how much longer will the rural land remain rural?
Right about now you may be wondering how many Equestrians attended the meeting. The answer is 3, Jean, me and one other horse owner. (She was the only Pinal Co. landowner in attendance.) Jean spoke on behalf of the Arizona State Horsemen’s Association and Pinal County Equestrians. The BOS only mentioned their Equestrian support only after Jean spoke. In last month’s article, I indicated that the most important strategy to maintain the Rural/Equestrian Lifestyle is attendance at meetings. Is it any wonder why Rural is disappearing at such a rapid rate?
Pinal County Comprehensive Planning Meetings are now in the process of being scheduled specifically for Equestrians. If we are to succeed we need at least 1000 in attendance. Sign up for the Comprehensive Plan eNewsletter at the consulting firm’s website: www.PinalCountyPlan.com. And send a copy to info@allabouthorses.com. All those who sign up will be notified about the meetings and invited to attend.
Join-Support The Arizona State Horsemen’s Association. Download applications at azasha.com or email your address to info@allabouthorses.com there is great strength in numbers. Make a difference. Enroll now!
I look forward to seeing everyone at the January meetings.
Ed O’Brien VP Arizona State Horsemen’s Association
Publisher All About Horses.com
It is imperative that all Horselovers and Rural Lifestyles understand the importance of the issues not only in Pinal, but Maricopa, Yavapai and in cities and towns like Camp Verde, Scottsdale and Apache Junction
This month I want to focus on the details of a Pinal County Board of Supervisors meeting I attended along with fellow AZ State Horsemen’s Assn board member Jean Anderson.
Before I get to the specifics of the meeting, let’s review our goals:
There are two major issues, which require our collective attention. The first, our short-term goal, is to affect favorable change on all ordinances that discriminate against horse owners and the rural lifestyle. For example: limits on livestock in any rural zone, lighting and trailer parking limitations and 50’ building setbacks that unnecessarily reduce usability. Our second goal is to secure permanent protection for our Rural/Equestrian Lifestyle. If we fail to accomplish this goal then it’s just a matter of time until our lifestyle is history.
This is why! In the New Pinal Co. P & Z it states:
“702.2 The Planning Commission on its own motion may propose a rezoning.”
“702.3 A property owner or authorized agent of a property owner may propose a rezoning through the application process.”
What will happen in this county if property owners or P & Z (or developer influence) can change their zoning? (And don’t let the word “propose” lead you to think that it won’t happen). County islands, Annexation, and CCR’s that eliminate or block equestrian access will destroy the rural life style.
On November 28, Jean and I attended the Pinal Co. Board of Supervisors Meeting that was held, in part, to amend the existing Comprehensive Plan. At the end of the agenda on Zoning changes, each individual supervisor spoke about their support of the rural/equestrian lifestyle. Heart warming isn’t it? They support us; they have in the past and always will in the future, right? While they may be well intentioned, it was just moments after they had all voted unanimously to change Rural Zoning (GR) to Single Family (SF) Zoning on the following: (These were not amendments, but ordinary business for the board. Each was pre approved by the “Planning Commission” prior to the meeting)
A) 159 Acres GR to SF, Gallup Financial Applicant. 557 houses
B) 159 Acres GR to SF, Gallup Financial Applicant. 557 houses
C) 80 Acres/280 houses Application voluntarily withdrawn
D) 80 Acres/280 houses Application voluntarily withdrawn
E) 80 Acres GR to SF, Adcox Ventures
F) 73.20 Acres GR to SF Kino Trails LLC Applicant. 256 houses
G) 73.20 Acres GR to SF Kino Trails LLC Applicant. 256 houses
The following parcel was previously state land:
A) 6,540 Acres from Development Sensitive, Transitional, Urban, and Industrial to Rural, Urban, Commercial Activity Center and Industrial. Approximately 1300 Acres was to be the Rural portion.
The BOS approved and converted a total of 544.4 acres to 1626+ housing units. 6540 acres of vacant land owned by the state became 5200 acres of urban, commercial and industrial. Remember, that these folks are concerned about protecting the rural lifestyle, but they are making decisions one parcel at a time. They fail to realize that they take away our lifestyle one parcel at a time. At the current rate of conversions from Rural to Single Family how much longer will the rural land remain rural?
Right about now you may be wondering how many Equestrians attended the meeting. The answer is 3, Jean, me and one other horse owner. (She was the only Pinal Co. landowner in attendance.) Jean spoke on behalf of the Arizona State Horsemen’s Association and Pinal County Equestrians. The BOS only mentioned their Equestrian support only after Jean spoke. In last month’s article, I indicated that the most important strategy to maintain the Rural/Equestrian Lifestyle is attendance at meetings. Is it any wonder why Rural is disappearing at such a rapid rate?
Pinal County Comprehensive Planning Meetings are now in the process of being scheduled specifically for Equestrians. If we are to succeed we need at least 1000 in attendance. Sign up for the Comprehensive Plan eNewsletter at the consulting firm’s website: www.PinalCountyPlan.com. And send a copy to info@allabouthorses.com. All those who sign up will be notified about the meetings and invited to attend.
Join-Support The Arizona State Horsemen’s Association. Download applications at azasha.com or email your address to info@allabouthorses.com there is great strength in numbers. Make a difference. Enroll now!
I look forward to seeing everyone at the January meetings.
Ed O’Brien VP Arizona State Horsemen’s Association
Publisher All About Horses.com