[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6546292,"mediaKeyId","3789526-183331014ded2802614dcff83f91e7aa","parentId",3789526,"title","Queen Creek staff describe rising code-enforcement activity and preview potential zoning code changes tied to state bills","audioSeconds",927,"startMs",3843000,"endMs",4770000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789526-183331014ded2802614dcff83f91e7aa&start=3843&end=4770","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789526-183331014ded2802614dcff83f91e7aa/thumbnail_3843000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546292/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Queen-Creek-staff-describe-rising-code-enforcement-activity-and-preview-potential-zoning-code-changes-tied-to-state-bills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546292-7ab2a3f67662a684ce7d05f013e923d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139104&Signature=YtpW1-C32~eqD3~NgRTSAmCWJUzPpqJeT8hyP-YQp0qMqmpUrurerr15ffpg3i5mvkDu~9YRRxGwRdYRQLSecp2B-Bg65fgk7NoBpo24Hibj1XIuSYqS3c6baZWW-mpd-RkfyOkZB5PNTkPhGxBCfn4~CNzZsoGnDudBrLqkfWRqeyBQvymB5iE15EyOp708PHcKszDxd8VT8L6Oq3-uhC23yGV5CZTEIX3TxCjvNCTaa1sPL3G2XWVJyzx5mj4SuPBeGITj5b4BK5kPrZJ~AP~W7Vi0WFLyu0bY5cCS8nlOi96h0HudA6dWiPdnPNwaexg7cqTCwrZyibQ4QC09fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Queen Creek","date","2025-06-12T00:00:00Z","article","Code compliance and planning staff told the Queen Creek Planning and Zoning Commission that the town's code-enforcement workload has grown substantially in recent years, and they previewed several potential zoning-code updates that would respond to state legislation and local policy needs.

Victor Martinez, the town's code compliance manager, said the division's caseload has risen from 14 notices of violation in 2022 to 182 in 2023 and 250 in 2024. Through the first part of 2025 he reported 144 notices of violation, 41 citations issued and 24 court hearings. Martinez said the increases reflect a growing town and more complaints from residents. To respond, the town is hiring staff, adding contracted hearing officers, updating court procedures and developing a process to recover unpaid fines.

\"Voluntary compliance is our main goal,\" Martinez said, adding that staff emphasize education and outreach before enforcement. He also described proactive work (sign removal and weekend operations) and said the division typically offers 14-day notices with case-by-case extensions while working with residents to resolve issues.

Planning staff member Eric Swanson briefed commissioners on text amendments that could follow action at the state legislature. He summarized bills under consideration and how they might affect local code:

- House Bill 2447: would require municipalities to allow administrative review of certain applications and permits and includes an option for self-certification of code compliance by qualified practitioners; town staff said the town already conducts administrative reviews for many plat and site-plan applications, but self-certification would require further policy decisions.

- HB 2721 (\"middle housing\"): would require allowance of duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes on lots currently zoned single family in many circumstances. Staff warned the change could expand housing types across areas currently zoned R1 and said they are studying impacts to utilities, streets and community character.

- SB 1162 / HB 2298 (water allocation): both bills address water use for landscaping and open-space requirements; staff said Queen Creek does not mandate ponds or lakes in most developments but noted ponds are sometimes used for aquifer recharge and irrigation cycles, and staff are coordinating with other departments to propose sensible local language.

- SB 1529: would require municipalities to create shelf-ready design plans for single-family, duplex and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) housing types; staff said preparing those plans would speed approvals for some builders but require town resources to develop the templates.

Swanson also discussed local code work the town is pursuing, including evaluating lot-coverage limits for larger lots, clarifying rules for outdoor storage and accessory structures (including reuse of shipping containers and truck bodies), and reconsidering whether certain drive-through uses should always require a public hearing.

Commissioners asked about how the state bills intersect with local authority and how utilities and roadways would be affected by expanded middle-housing allowances. Swanson said the town will provide formal feedback to legislators and return to the commission with draft local text amendments if state law changes.

Martinez told commissioners the code compliance division's goal is to move toward a fully staffed team and to standardize enforcement and hearing procedures. He said staff will continue to prioritize voluntary compliance but will use expedited citation for repeat offenders.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Queen Creek - Planning & Zoning Commission (CAPTIONS) - Jun 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Code compliance staff reported a sharp rise in notices, citations and hearings since 2022 and outlined plans to expand staffing and enforcement procedures. Planning staff previewed potential text amendments to align local code with several state bills on self-certification, middle housing and water use.","taxTitle","Queen Creek, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2212,"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},6546298,"Planning commission approves site plan and conditional-use permits for new credit union at Queen Creek's Maderas center",375,3247000,3622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789526-183331014ded2802614dcff83f91e7aa&start=3247&end=3622","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789526-183331014ded2802614dcff83f91e7aa/thumbnail_3247000.jpg","/articles/6546298/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Planning-commission-approves-site-plan-and-conditional-use-permits-for-new-credit-union-at-Queen-Creeks-Maderas-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546298-096252aad1bc7d7c1cd9f1b5144d0965/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139104&Signature=EUKELcHS2I4oj2-IG2O~1iH7E3dC2umE5aNxciKZoT~IOo59UYqR7X10zBNl8iDpeOIH-nsPkV0-iJGU9Dn0F-pAZbblnsBgm3YtaBb3kXWwjAKijK66PfQPvbSM3n-c1YOHasb9M~RdhFt8Ssf3nu6WWuw7tMisC60yTUbxn~VrBG3KUPSAROia3NxrTBl8SuqTTJ8~hFoCzKhOIHxSNsMAJ2Ck80aLeU5GI8H6PhdzQwOt6DXpdGKhhOw~HinY064~bw8ZOhlqYQ1tyZ6eqG-N~B30BwJYoCThEsjqbQ6PRvuV-koEUjWT7A8ve~HNZejMoXuzRzlEtXV6ee82fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Queen Creek Planning and Zoning Commission approved a site plan and conditional use permit for a new credit-union branch to be located at the southeast corner of Queen Creek and Signal Butte roads in the Maderas development.

Nathan Warren, Planner I in the town's planning division, presented the application (staff references P240063 and P240064). Warren described the proposal as a single-story credit-union building on a commercial pad of roughly 33,000 square feet with three drive-through teller lanes and an ATM. He said the site plan meets minimum parking, open-space, landscaping and design requirements for the larger Maderas center and is consistent with the commercial general plan designation for the intersection.

Warren said no members of the public attended the required neighborhood meeting and staff had not received public comments before the hearing. The applicant's representative (address provided in the record) confirmed the design intent to fit the existing Maderas architectural theme and said the drive-through arrangement and ATM would follow standard operational norms for a credit union.

Commissioners asked no substantive follow-up questions, and a motion to approve the site plan and conditional use permit carried. The record shows the vote passed; the transcription excerpt does not include a roll-call tally in the published excerpt.

Votes at a glance: P240063/P240064 (First Credit Union site plan and CUP) ' Motion: approve the site plan and conditional-use permits as presented; mover/second: not specified in the transcript excerpt; outcome: approved (numeric tally not specified in the excerpt).","The commission approved a site plan and conditional-use permit for a new First Credit Union branch in the Maderas development at Signal Butte and Queen Creek roads; staff said the project meets town design and parking standards and no public opposition was received.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546303,"Queen Creek planning commission approves conditional use permit for D and D Mini Ranch stock-dog trials",2603,527000,3130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789526-183331014ded2802614dcff83f91e7aa&start=527&end=3130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789526-183331014ded2802614dcff83f91e7aa/thumbnail_527000.jpg","/articles/6546303/Queen-Creek/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Queen-Creek-planning-commission-approves-conditional-use-permit-for-D-and-D-Mini-Ranch-stock-dog-trials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546303-1fbe158fad058c5c094c21b0038de363/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139104&Signature=YfWK4iFmqw5m6ZeslzZkxUcPqu2gl-ZjgdDlsWozhDkhNBYl43BgfruFPtGVB5tNlYSasf5cbsKO7voxCN5VkvWmir4nM4KBmwrk9refd6HsXR5pRPIMeUg4DPAeN8m1QObiHPBoAUf-m3CnT8sEVrXzGluKIUOMmD9DhdFQIJKnyR8LWRY5sOupA5rglC2iXq7MnIAN09h0klhrAJuM5XLhlI4iEbQsOnHL3tQvGMJpiMxg1B7TBytOBFBa4b1tLt6ld9nVXraajUEZdiul9~S8fFIjh03AEvlI6tg7WlOC9bqv2p64GZZivPsZ891qjxl4m9cweAX2BkDVEEhEEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Queen Creek Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for D and D Mini Ranch to host stock-dog trials and to keep more animals than normally allowed under the town's zoning code. The commission took the vote after a public hearing and presentations by town staff and the applicants.

Eric Swanson, planning staff, told commissioners the request (identified in staff materials as P24-0048) applies to a 4.9-acre property in the Ellsworth Mini Farms community and would allow the property owners to operate up to six stock-dog events annually between November and March, each lasting one to three days. Swanson said the operation prompted a code-enforcement response after a complaint about a large number of animals; planning staff subsequently determined the use required a conditional use permit.

The conditional use permit request seeks two primary exceptions: authorization to hold the stock-dog trial events and permission to exceed the number of animal units allowed under the R1-43 zoning (the town's one-acre residential lot standard). Swanson described the events as daytime only, without amplified sound or lighting, and estimated typical attendance at 30 to 40 people (participants, judges and spectators). He said staff included a condition capping attendance at 60 for events as a buffer for occasional overflow.

Applicants Dan and Diane Sanderson told commissioners they moved to the area in 2020 and operate the D and D Mini Ranch, which breeds Saint Croix sheep and temporarily brings in about 65 to 70 calves for trials. Dan Sanderson said livestock stay on site year-round for the sheep and that the calves used in trials are brought in during the November-to-March season and kept in covered pens at night for safety. He described measures taken to care for animals (concrete cattle pen, automated waterers, separate feeders) and safety rules enforced by the sanctioning organizations (Australian Shepherd Club of America and Mountain State Stockdog Association), including limits on how many times an animal can be run during a day.

Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing were largely supportive and described the operation as clean and community-oriented. Ruben Valenzuela, who said he's lived in the neighborhood for 38 years, and Trevor Forbes, who lives adjacent to D and D Mini Ranch, told commissioners they had not experienced dust, noise or other problems. Staff noted one anonymous opposition letter claiming there were \"too many animals\" on the property and that an adjacent property owner had expressed concerns about dust at a neighborhood meeting; staff and the applicants described mitigation efforts including applying a soil stabilizer (product noted as \"K31\") and planting clumping bamboo as a visual and dust barrier.

Commissioners asked about the amount of space used for cattle and the consistency of animal numbers across the season; applicants said the group of livestock typically remains the same after initial acclimation and that the property includes roughly 1.5 to 1.75 acres of usable enclosure plus pasture and covered areas. Staff also showed parking exhibits and said available on-site areas would accommodate expected vehicle counts with room for overflow if necessary.

A motion to approve the conditional use permit passed after the public hearing. The meeting record shows the motion carried; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally in the minutes available and the chair (David Gillette) was temporarily on the phone and later dropped from the call, so a numeric vote count was not specified in the record provided.

The permit includes conditions described in the staff report (attendance limits, daytime-only operations, no amplified sound, and other operational and parking requirements). The commission did not delete the condition that event attendance be limited to a maximum of 60 people; applicants and staff said that higher attendance has not been typical for their events and that the limit is intended as a buffer.

The commission's decision allows the applicants to continue operating under the conditional use permit with the enumerated conditions. If the applicants subsequently exceed the permitted activity or fail to meet conditions, enforcement action could follow as described in the town's code procedures.

Votes at a glance: P24-0048 (D and D Mini Ranch conditional use permit) ' Motion: approve the conditional use permit for stock-dog trials and animal-unit exception (motion text in the record: \"approve P25-0048 D and D Mini Ranch trial and livestock\"); mover and second: not specified in the publicly available excerpt; outcome: approved (tally not specified).

","The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing D and D Mini Ranch to hold stock-dog trial events and keep more livestock than zoning typically allows, subject to conditions including event limits and mitigation measures for dust and parking.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Queen Creek staff describe rising code-enforcement activity and preview potential zoning code changes tied to state bills

Planning commission approves site plan and conditional-use permits for new credit union at Queen Creek's Maderas center

Queen Creek planning commission approves conditional use permit for D and D Mini Ranch stock-dog trials