At last week’s Winslow City Council meeting, a major step forward was taken in the development of the Winslow Commerce and Industrial Park, a 1,479-acre project located in southern Winslow led by Atlas Global Development. The council approved a rezoning request to designate the area as a preliminary Planned Area Development, or PAD, and finalized a development agreement to guide the project. The development agreement is essentially an extra set of rules put on a developer so that the city will be cooperative in developments that have a large impact on their communities. Although this is an important step in the process, ultimately the council will still need a final PAD with several bouts of additional information before a shovel ever hits that red dirt.
“We worked closely with Atlas to ensure this plan protects our neighborhoods while providing opportunities for job creation,” said Jason Sanks, Winslow’s Planning and Zoning hearing officer. The PAD divides the property into two zones: a Commerce Park to the north, focused on light industrial uses, and a heavier Industrial Zone to the south. The design is intended to balance economic development with community preservation. “We literally went line by line to get rid of the heavy stuff because we did not want heavy industrial next to neighborhoods,” Sanks explained during the meeting.
For the 1,200 acres that the city is selling to Atlas Global for the project the city wanted to make sure that this land specifically benefited the most job creation. This is why the city has negotiated to keep data centers off that land because although they are profitable, they offer very few jobs for the footprint they occupy. As much as 25% of the project could be data centers, which could be costly in both energy, water and infrastructure.
The PAD also includes detailed guidelines for other development, such as mandatory setbacks for taller buildings, orientation rules for loading docks, and requirements for earth-tone building colors and landscaping. “These protections are built into the zoning itself,” said Sanks. “This zoning is tied to the land, so whether Atlas keeps it or sells it, the protections and responsibilities stay in place.”
Although the approvals represent a significant step forward, much work remains before construction begins. Atlas Global must now submit detailed plans for utility connections, infrastructure improvements, and the phased implementation of the project. Each submission will undergo city review, with opportunities for public input at every stage. City Attorney Trish Stuhan emphasized that the development agreement ensures accountability and sets clear expectations. “The development agreement ensures that this project progresses responsibly,” she said. “It outlines exactly what Atlas must do and how the city will oversee that process.”
Water management is one of the most critical components of the agreement. Winslow’s limited water resources are protected through specific usage limits. If any phase of the project is projected to consume more than 20% of the city’s current water supply capacity, additional studies and council approval will be required before moving forward. Stuhan addressed this during her presentation, noting, “This is a proactive step to prevent overuse while allowing development to move forward responsibly.”
The development agreement also requires Atlas Global to fund and construct key infrastructure, including water and sewer systems, while adhering to strict design standards. “We’ve drafted requirements in our design guidelines that do not currently exist in our code,” said Sanks. “For example, loading docks must be oriented away from residential homes, and taller buildings must be set back further. These are critical measures to ensure compatibility with the surrounding community.” Sanks said he has seen the impacts of communities who don’t take these proactive steps, and it can make life unnecessarily hard for nearby residents.
Stuhan in her presentation said that the agreement is designed to reflect Winslow’s values while maintaining functionality. “Buildings will be painted in earth tones to blend into the natural landscape,” she said. “There are mandatory landscaping requirements for roadways and corridors. This is about making sure the development is something residents can take pride in.” This is another example of restrictions specifically made for this project and this development deal. For the full development agreement, you can find it at winslowaz.gov.
The project will unfold in phases, beginning with the most accessible and utility-ready areas. Future phases will require additional council review and approval to ensure compliance with the PAD and development agreement. “This is not a one-and-done situation,” said Sanks. “Future phases will require amendments and council review to ensure consistency.”
Public engagement will remain central to the project’s progress. Stuhan underscored the importance of keeping the community informed and involved, stating, “There will be periodic public forums to keep residents informed and involved.”
As the Winslow Commerce and Industrial Park edges closer to reality, city officials are optimistic about its potential to revitalize the local economy. At the same time, they stress the importance of maintaining oversight and transparency as the project moves forward. The foundation has been laid for Winslow’s future growth. Residents and stakeholders alike will be watching closely as the first tangible steps toward the project begin to take shape.
