Future housing development in the foothills of eastern Yuma County will have to wait.
In another 3-2 vote on Monday, county supervisors voted against approving a request to rezoning hundreds of acres in the Foothills area to allow for future housing.
Officials representing Granite Yuma LLC said their request was in the planning stages and that any objections regarding transportation, water use, public services, etc. were premature, so the meeting was standing room only. The meeting was moved to the Yuma City Council Chamber to accommodate a larger than usual audience.
More than 630 letters were sent to supervisors opposing the rezoning. The county planning commission recommended refusal of the rezoning request.
Foothills residents, including Walt Bonneau, said they were not against the development but wanted the Foothills to be developed responsibly and transparently.
“What you saw (today) was unanimous, about 300 people here were against land readjustment. Not because we are against development. I am against it.”
Supervisors Darren Simmons, Tony Reyes and Lynn Panklage, whose District 3 includes Foothills, voted against the request. Reyes said that if a developer proposes a more concrete plan, he would support it.
Kevin Dahl, Granite Yuma’s agent, Dahl, Robins & Associates, said the zoning change request is part of a 10-year process during which residents can continue to have their say and, if necessary, conduct impact studies. said to be done.
“There’s not a lot of land available for development like this in the Yuma area,” Dahl told the supervisor.
He added that all Granite Yuma wanted was the same opportunity that the previous developer of Foothills got. Dahl said Granite Yuma is being punished because it was the last development.
Julie Engel, president and chief executive of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, said the Yuma region needs more housing options as it loses doctors, teachers and other professionals. I was.
Bonneau said Yuma is more affordable than other areas he’s lived in. There are more than 1,200 homes for sale in the Yuma area, and 23 in his Las Barrancas community. There are unsold homes.
Two challenges for residents were the developer’s stated need to build a crosswalk at Fortuna Wash near 40th Street. They also opposed the Recreational Vehicle Subdivision (RSV) zoning designation, which could allow up to 14 homes per acre. Developers said they believe they can only build four units per acre.
Supervisor Reyes, executive director of Comite De Bien Estar, which helps San Luis, Arizona residents with housing, said he trusts Granite Yuma to do the right thing.
“But is that what the other inhabitants[of the foothills]want?” Reyes said.
