[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6066073,"mediaKeyId","3190051-4a44c6bcb3f364b4b30e673ca92a5181","parentId",3190051,"title","Votes at a glance: Council adopts fire‑code updates, approves wastewater and AV contracts, and updates procedures","audioSeconds",263,"startMs",5157000,"endMs",5420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3190051-4a44c6bcb3f364b4b30e673ca92a5181&start=5157&end=5420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3190051-4a44c6bcb3f364b4b30e673ca92a5181/thumbnail_5157000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6066073/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-adopts-firecode-updates-approves-wastewater-and-AV-contracts-and-updates-procedures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066073-fe75386561e7f83aa23ad05c2382af28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098719&Signature=MT67b-Lhj7HkVcDTzvIS5G2nJpc-ngDQ~H3tsnpUq52J6un6boQGqVNfK2aSQxhtm1TB6NbnY5~XQfQOS8eLI5V269tEx6pGGRRCMkbdEaOwxraHHun5CtSQ-hB5rDrPQbE5wOyX0yaSdGnVIGOc61Sdi5C9ssxTvFUNeM1YTOD2YWKt~5Po-3NOsSVypeQVwoftUf0kUa3i3BEd1Xjdh2W9QVl81dz4v0fFHSRW8qx~r7BnXHd-JWxKK3y11VSOzaNw36bInISt4mFKdiaDtZ1z1t1r~gX~glpvzedobi2qIPvOfEH34ngSF12b7S1IAKytfjPXDvjZW4PPIo471Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","AZ / Town of Florence","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","The Florence Town Council on April 1 approved several ordinances and contracts aimed at updating technical codes, maintaining required environmental compliance and upgrading municipal facilities.

Highlights of council action included early adoption of international fire‑code provisions addressing energy storage systems, authorization to design a UV disinfection upgrade at the South Wastewater Treatment Plant to meet Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) requirements, and approval of an audiovisual upgrade contract for the Florence Community Center. Council also adopted a clarified town code section establishing an administrative appeal path and approved updated council rules of procedure.

Ordinances and contracts approved

- Fire‑code adoption (battery/energy storage provisions): Council adopted an ordinance to add specific 2021/2024 International Fire Code provisions addressing energy storage systems (battery power plants), a measure the fire chief described as “proactive” given rapid technological change in that sector. The adoption applies to commercial and industrial energy storage facilities moving forward and focuses on plans, operational requirements and hazard mitigation.

- South Wastewater Treatment Plant — UV design contract: The council authorized a professional services contract with WaterWorks Engineers LLC for design of a new UV disinfection system at the South Wastewater Treatment Plant in an amount not to exceed $246,720. The town is operating under a consent order from ADEQ and described the design as necessary to meet permit and consent‑order requirements.

- Florence Community Center audiovisual upgrades: Council approved entering an AXI cooperative contract (contract number 223149) with Artesian Cinema and Sound LLC to upgrade audio‑visual systems in activity rooms, meeting rooms and the conference area to improve reliability and attract rentals; the item was presented by Community Services Director Paul King. The contract amount was listed as not to exceed $334,000 and includes warranties and staged installation plans; staff described vendor lead times as short and said some existing equipment would be repurposed to other town facilities.

- Town rules and appeals: Council voted to approve updated council rules of procedure dated April 1, 2025, which clarify appointments and removals for boards, commissions and committees. The council also adopted an amendment to the town code adding section 32.013 establishing an administrative appeal procedure to the town council for specified matters.

Votes and procedural notes

Most items were adopted by voice vote or reverse roll call as part of the regular agenda. The consent agenda (items a–g) was approved by motion and voice vote. The ordinance adopting the fire‑code provisions and the UV design contract were each approved after staff presentations; the audiovisual contract drew questions about equipment choices and future marketing of the center but passed after discussion.

Speakers and staff

Presenters included Tim Wainscott (utilities) for the wastewater item, the town’s fire chief for the code amendment, and Paul King (Community Services Director) for the community center A/V upgrade. Vendors and technical staff joined portions of the AV discussion; Nathan Thomas and Wayne Smith of Artesian Cinema and Sound participated in vendor Q&A via video.

What to watch next

- South wastewater upgrades: staff will submit engineered drawings to ADEQ for approval to construct and will return to council if construction authorization or additional appropriations are required.

- Community Center marketing: staff said it will pursue outreach to attract rentals now that staff plans to replace unreliable equipment; some older displays will be repurposed for other town facilities.

Speakers included councilors and department staff; formal vote tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Florence Town Council Meeting April 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Florence Town Council on April 1 approved multiple operational and procedural items, including updates to the fire code covering energy storage systems, a design contract for a UV disinfection system at the South Wastewater Treatment Plant, and a contract to upgrade audiovisual equipment at the Florence Community Center.","taxTitle","Florence, Pinal County, Arizona","taxId",51043,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6066078,"Florence council denies Westland Village PUD after debate over density, traffic and nearby winery",2415,365000,2780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3190051-4a44c6bcb3f364b4b30e673ca92a5181&start=365&end=2780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3190051-4a44c6bcb3f364b4b30e673ca92a5181/thumbnail_365000.jpg","/articles/6066078/Florence/Pinal-County/Arizona/Florence-council-denies-Westland-Village-PUD-after-debate-over-density-traffic-and-nearby-winery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066078-be534ef534a043de5ab81182f20c8fe0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098719&Signature=FtcDWPGMlpeI8Szu1EiETR7Af9FKcxeYn-Z5XXo1wph-YNzhc-4BsuHnWgLhuq1aRqtLrOd1f~EvQXPKV4lPZ0QAJWtyB3cidABRHav2tYRyEyoUn5UZFHw1J8BT9LX5WUq0mtw1tyZMejGp1M~UfnBudWVnXKs5jnmA0E-3IWSVDKkXDYQmdJ236edi~dhZChf5NPI0yPxEZvSFa-zKtjS89r1kOS1YGF3JtOle4asMTgQDxodPNOaPwTjpF40zjqoBO9lnJtRrJwDUpM-AUNNWs~A-Ss80fuxJmXNI4ejjSVit7fYRnvI1JPkRuCJsr4yE6QCqNj~hUvmjSwXTKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Florence Town Council denied a request to rezone roughly 40 acres at the southwest corner of Butte Avenue and Centennial Park Avenue to a planned unit development known as Westland Village, voting to deny PZ‑24‑36 at its April 1 meeting.

The proposal from a developer represented by Greg Davis of I Plan Consulting would have converted land currently shown in the town’s 2022 general plan as “town center” to a PUD that the applicant said would include roughly 20.27 acres of single‑family housing and 13 acres of multifamily (MDR) product, new local streets and extensions of Bisbee Ranch Road. The planning and zoning commission had recommended approval by a 3‑1 vote.

Council members and residents said the project raised unresolved questions about traffic, the scope of multifamily development adjacent to an established winery and the effect of a broad density range written into the PUD. The council’s decision leaves the property zoned as currently designated and requires the developer to reapply or pursue a different zoning path if it wishes to proceed.

Greg Davis, the project presenter, told the council the site is intended to act as a “catalyst” for nearby Territorial Square and that the MDR portion was designed to be flexible so the housing product could respond to future market demand. “Part of this project is bringing in rooftops, but it’s not only just bringing in single‑family homes,” Davis said during his presentation, describing the MDR parcel as a buffer and a place for 6–12 units per acre so the final product could be either ownership or rental depending on future market needs.

Council members repeatedly flagged the PUD’s allowed density range and the choice to use a PUD rather than a hard zoning district. “I don’t like leaving a PUD open to be decided some years down the road,” Council member Benzina said. Benzina added she was concerned residents who buy homes in and near the development would want a clear picture of future adjacent uses.

Several council members also raised concerns about protecting nearby businesses. Council member Neal said he was reluctant to place multifamily units near Windmill Winery, which he described as “one of our premier entertainment spots.” Harold Crist, owner of Windmill Winery, submitted a written letter to the council expressing interest in the area’s future development and urging preservation of the community character; the letter was read into the record.

Traffic and circulation were a focus of both the staff presentation and council questions. Town staff and the applicant cited a traffic impact analysis that showed intersections operating at acceptable levels of service under current volumes but with potential degradation as nearby development (including Territorial Square) is built out. The applicant said the project would contribute roughly $500,000 in transportation impact fees and about $1.3 million in total impact fees (transportation, parks, police and fire) to the town.

The council cited those unresolved issues when it took up a motion to deny PZ‑24‑36. The motion to deny the zone change passed on a reverse roll call 7‑0 (Mayor Eaton — yes; Vice Mayor Adam — yes; Council member Neal — yes; Council member Bucellato — yes; Council member Maldonado — yes; Council member Benzina — yes; Council member Bedford — yes). The formal action denies the applicant’s request to rezone the property to the proposed Westland Village PUD.

What happens next: the developer may revise the plan, pursue a different zoning route (for example a straight zoning application), or return to staff and the council with more information on traffic mitigation, design details and amenities. At the hearing the planning director confirmed staff had discussed both PUD and straight‑zoning options with the applicant during pre‑application and TAC (technical advisory committee) meetings.

Speakers at the hearing included planning staff presenting the application, the applicant’s land planner and several council members; Gordon Lehman and other members of the public spoke during the council’s call to the public about nearby road design and speeds.

The denial preserves the existing rural/agricultural designation and leaves unchanged the development’s current entitlements until a new application is filed or the owners request a different zoning action.

The council’s vote closed the public hearing on the Westland Village PUD. The applicant and staff were invited to return with revised plans that address the traffic and compatibility concerns raised by the council.","The Florence Town Council voted 7–0 to deny a request to rezone about 40 acres at Butte Avenue and Centennial Park Avenue to a planned unit development called Westland Village after months of review and public comment focused on traffic, density and impacts on adjacent businesses.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Council adopts fire‑code updates, approves wastewater and AV contracts, and updates procedures

Florence council denies Westland Village PUD after debate over density, traffic and nearby winery