TUCSON (KVOA) — Things got heated at the Santa Cruz County planning and zoning meeting on Thursday.

Hundreds of Santa Cruz County residents attended the rally.

Most of them blame plans to rezoning much of Rio Rico along Interstate 19 to encourage development.

The Planning Commission was listening to proposals for an I19 corridor through Rio Rico.

The plan is to promote economic development and rezoning approximately 3,500 acres of land for mixed use, including commercial and industrial use.

The planning and zoning board voted to approve the proposed plan, but the rezoning has stalled following public outcry.

Things started late because too many people came to the meeting.

Most of the people who attended the rally were residents of Rio Rico, and they feared that this would spoil the charm of living in Rio Rico and the quiet, beautiful nature.

The fire marshal had to take many people to another room and monitor them via Zoom.

The majority of those present at the conference, including Ed Pearl, say they don’t want that.

“We moved here for peace, quiet and open space,” he said.

Devin Randolph, 43, of Rio Rico, worries about how these changes will affect the environment along the Santa Cruz River.

“They want to turn it into an industrial corridor. We don’t want to be Sahuarita. We like the character of the community as it is,” said Devin Randolph. .

Pedro Oeste supports zoning and feels it’s time for the community to grow.

“I feel the whole of Santa Cruz County needs to grow. There are very few job opportunities for locals.”

Although the commission voted to approve what was planned for the area, it stalled on zoning. He will hold for 60 days to get further input from the community.

Many felt that little effort was made to inform people about the scope of these plans.

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