SAFFORD — There could be some additional housing units coming to the Gila Valley soon, but not all that were originally planned.
During Monday’s meeting, the Graham County Board of Supervisors approved two rezoning for housing development, but unanimously rejected a third.
Approved was a rezoning on 2.9 acres of land on Norton Road, east of Cluff Avenue, for multiple multi-family units, and a rezoning of 1.5 acres of land east of Dirt Road and south of Safford Bryce Road for duplexes.
Rejected was a rezoning request for 4.33 acres of land for an apartment complex adjacent to the Camino de Casa Blanca subdivision east of State Highway 191, south of Safford.
Two of the rezonings had public comment in opposition, citing surrounding land use, concerns about crime and drug use, and increased traffic.
“Anywhere in Graham County that we’re going to have growth, we’re going to have to mitigate these problems of traffic, and solve them to make it safe for the citizens of Graham County,” said Supervisor John Howard. “It’s just part of the formula for growth.”
The board also approved the rezoning of three parcels of land — 7.5 acres, 7.6 acres and 12.2 acres — east to Stockton Road and north of Sonoran Skies Road, for land development with a three-acre minimum lot size.
