SAFFORD — The Fort Thomas Unified School District received unanimous approval from the Graham County Board of Supervisors on Monday to rezone district-owned property to allow multi-family housing for teachers.
“It is extremely difficult for Fort Thomas Unified to recruit and retain teachers from outside of this Valley,” said Shane Hawkins, FTUSD superintendent. “If we recruit and retain teachers from within this county, we’d have no need for housing. But the community, as you’ve already mentioned, is small and rural.”
Planning director Steve McGaughey said the six parcels would likely accommodate three or four duplexes, with five being the most, due to the lack of sewer service and being in a flood plain.
Funding to develop new housing will come via federal COVID funds.
Only one person spoke in opposition. Marilyn Crosby, who lives in Mesa but owns property in Fort Thomas, said creating multi-family housing in Fort Thomas would change the dynamics of the community.
A second zoning change request in Fort Thomas met with greater opposition from the public.
An automotive repair operation was noticed by the county for being conducted in the wrong zone and the owner sought the zone change to bring the property into compliance with the county’s codes.
Multiple neighbors opposed the zoning change, citing that commercial operations don’t belong in a residential area.
The board voted unanimously to deny the rezoning.
