A zone change request made by landowner Ed Heward that was denied by the Holbrook Planning and Zoning Commission last month went before the Holbrook City Council on April 12 with the suggestion by staff to approve the request. Instead, the council sent Heward back to the commission to request a conditional use permit for another use of the property, and asked him to meet with City Manager Ray Alley to discuss any other issues.
When Heward went before the commission last month, he requested that the zoning for property he owns west of Buzzard Blvd. behind the OK RV Park be changed from a single-family residential zoning to commercial zoning. The commission denied the request because commercial zoning did not fit into the city’s general plan for the area.
Commission Chairman Matthew Barger addressed the council Tuesday evening, noting that while commercial zoning is not allowed under the general plan, a request for a conditional use permit could be allowed. The permit would allow Heward to house the RV repair shop Heward requested within the 14,000 square foot building already on the property under conditions approved by the commission. What would not be allowed would be Heward’s request to also house a medical marijuana dispensary within the same building.
“It would not be good planning. We already have pockets all over the place and we are trying to eliminate those. A zone change like this could affect other areas where residents already have a business in their home,” explained Barger.
Heward indicated that as a landowner with 300 acres of land within the city he should have some say in how his property is zoned. “If you have a vision or a plan, shouldn’t I have some say in that?” he asked.
Mayor Jeff Hill suggested that a solution to the situation might be for Heward to go back to the commission with a request for a conditional use permit rather than a zone change for the RV repair shop, as that would fall in line with the needs of that area. He then suggested that Heward, as well as other large landowners, hold a meeting with the commission and any interested residents to determine a long term plan for the use of land within the city as potential growth is anticipated with the likelihood of industry increasing in the area.
Heward did not disagree with the mayor, but indicated that if he could not open a dispensary on the property where his building is located then he would build a dispensary on the main street.
“I want to make this as inconspicuous as possible. But if you prefer, then next to the Super 8 is where it will be. I don’t really want it there, but Mr. Barger has shot down the possibility of a dispensary for that (other) area. I have plans and I don’t want to be at odds with the city,” stated Heward, adding that he also has plans to construct residential housing for his acreage near the LDS Church, but was not willing to build septic tanks, something a previous city administrator told him he must do.
Vice Mayor Matt Searles told Heward that he would actually prefer that a medical marijuana dispensary be located on the main street where law enforcement could better monitor it.
Councilman Charles Haussman then asked whether other parties have shown interest in opening a dispensary within the city.
Alley stated that there has been a substantial amount of interest from other parties to locate a dispensary here, but interest by any parties does not mean they would qualify to open a dispensary, and if more than one entity did meet all the criteria required by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), the final selection would be made by lottery by ADHS, not the city.
After considering the issue the council voted that the item go back to the planning and zoning commission for consideration of a conditional use permit for an RV repair shop, and that any other issues would be discussed between Heward and the city manager in hopes of reaching a successful conclusion.
With that decision made, the council voted for the same solution for a similar request by Michael and Paul Hamby, who also requested a zone change from mobile home park zoning to commercial zoning in order to allow for commercial development on a 100-foot strip of property along the east side of Buzzard Blvd.
In other business, Alley informed the council that the repairs to the elevated water tower located at the north end of the city have been completed, with the interior recoated and the exterior repainted, and that the tank is now back in use. He noted that the entire project was funded by a Community Development Block Grant at an approximate cost of $250,000.
Crews are still repairing and reconstructing streets, and four more blocks have been redone in concrete extending along East Hampshire Street from Third to Seventh streets. “We plan on doing some more along Erie Street, Second Street, and other curbs and gutters. The street department is working at pace; they’ve really got this down and are doing unbelievable work,” stated Alley.
He also informed the council that the drilling for the new well on McLaws Road is complete, and that the new submersible pump and motor would be arriving this week. Unfortunately, one of the other wells is in need of a new pump and motor that are no longer functioning.
“Now we only have one well working and with summer coming, that won’t be enough. I already ordered the parts for that well and they should be here this week, as well,” explained Alley.
With immediate response necessary to replace the pump and motor, Alley purchased the parts in the amount of $15,089.67 without council approval. Due to the emergency status of the situation, legal council informed Alley that he was able to make the purchase without council approval, which was provided at the meeting.
Wastewater Department workers are in the process of removing the lift station on East Florida Street and will continue to eliminate as many as they are able to, ultimately saving the city thousands of dollars each year in lift station repairs and maintenance.
The city is still awaiting a response from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the offer in compromise made on behalf of the Holbrook Senior Citizens Center. “We expected this to be resolved back in November, but here we are still waiting. They have just recently assigned a new agent to the case, so we hope to get some answers soon,” Alley related.
The center currently has a tax lien placed on it by the IRS for an original amount of approximately $70,000 for back payroll taxes and is paying a high rate of interest on the amount. The city made an offer of $45,000 to settle the lien and if accepted, would allow the center to pay back the amount to the city tax-free.
Mayor Hill informed those present that he spoke with Navajo County Manager Jimmy Jayne, who advised him that the Board of Supervisors approved the reconstruction of the stretch of McLaws Road near the county yard and that work is expected to begin on May 2.
“This is not going to be a total shutdown; there will be one lane open, but there may be delays. I never thought this would happen with the budget cuts, so I’m as happy as can be,” stated Hill.
Holbrook resident Melissa Prather addressed the council during the call to the public and expressed concern that there had been occasions when there has been no city employee at the recycling center during the posted hours. She reported that it appears that employee is being pulled to perform work in other areas and she would like the matter addressed.
In other action April 12, the council:
* Approved a donation request from the Holbrook Enriching Lives Partnership (HELP) for $1,500 for funding of the annual Grad Night Celebration.
* Approved a resolution adopting a Fair Housing Policy.
* Approved a resolution in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Week.
* Authorized rescinding all previous resolutions containing fee schedules with respect to the Holbrook Magistrate Court, and adopting a fee schedule for court programs and services.
