Originally posted to the web in News, on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:53 PM CDT.
P & Z rejects rezoning request
By Janet DelTufo, Assistant Editor
A recent request by Wickenburg Holdings to rezone the northwest corner of Vulture Mine Road and U.S. Highway 60 from Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) to Major Street Commercial (C-3) was denied by the Wickenburg Planning and Zoning Advisory Commission.
Wickenburg Holdings includes James Stewart, Edwin Johnson, Rob Menapace, and James Alessi - namely the Century 21 building and adjacent shops to the west - have applied to rezone their properties.
The Wickenburg Town Council will review this matter at an upcoming meeting and will make the final decision regarding the rezone request.
The one reason given for the request was to permit the sales of automotive parts and equipment, which is a permitted use in the C-3 zoning district. Apparently, NAPA Auto Parts is interested in moving into that plaza.
Assistant Town Planner Steve Boyle read letters into the record from a number of individuals who are opposed to the zone change. A number of neighboring individuals also addressed the commission, saying that C-3 zoning is not compatible with their residential area.
“If we allow C-3 to start encroaching, we are fearful of lighting and draining issues,” said Terrace Drive resident Ronald Brown. “We are fearful that C-3 would start moving out even further. We believe that whatever business is in there, it would need to install higher lights. Some businesses have hours later than others. We will have people looking into our back yards late at night, and we don’t want that.”
The owner of the building said he was just looking for a way to stop losing money. He said it was 50 percent vacant after two years, and that it is not being supported by the community.
Two councilmen, speaking as individuals at opposite ends, also addressed the commission.
Councilman Scott Stewart was there on behalf of his father, who was out of town for the summer.
“For 20 years it said ‘hardware’ on Stewart’s Hardware, but we also sold auto parts,” Stewart said. “This rezoning is simply being requested because there is a piece of our code that is broken. NAPA is talking about retail sales and not mechanics. My father is in favor of this request because at some point Vulture Mine will be more commercial than it already is now.”
Councilman Chris Band spoke against the rezone request.
“I think what you are hearing from people is if you rezone to C-3, anything can go in there and lives will be disrupted,” Band said.
All commission members, with the exception of Commissioner Phil Richardson, agreed that the rezone should not take place.
“I’ve been contacted by two people who would be affected,” said Commissioner Darrel Stadel. “It is a major street and it is going to be more major in the future, but I feel with the present surrounding uses and for what the building is meant for, the business owners need to go with the flow. It is unfortunate that the owner can’t lease the building, but I don’t think we should affect the surrounding area in order to have the building leased.
Boyle said this item is scheduled to go before the council on July 7.
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