SAFFORD — Two rezoning requests, both involving applicants seeking R-2 multi-family zoning, found different reception from the Safford Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday.
A request from Randy Pozo to rezone a parcel on the 800 block of 7th Street from C-MH conventional manufactured home to R-2 was endorsed unanimously by the commission, following public comment in support of the request.
Gerhard de Beer cited the mine as the need for multi-family housing units.
“That same mine tried to hire 700 individuals in the last six months. They had about 10 percent of applicants who did not accept a job — who got offered a job — because they could not find housing in the immediate area, stretching all the way up to Morenci, Clifton as well as right here,” de Beer said.
While public comment was in support of the rezoning on 7th Street, the same could not be said for the proposed rezoning by Eldon Angle for a parcel on U.S. Highway 191, near, but not part of, the Montana Vista subdivision.
The hearing took 90 minutes, with the majority of public comment in opposition. Opinion ranged from duplexes and triplexes not matching the single-family homes in the subdivision and concerns over increases in traffic, to the idea that rental properties breed crime and drug use.
The commission expressed concern that Angle had no specific plan for the property and was simply seeking a change in zoning.
“I really do believe in private property rights, but I do feel like there were a lot of concerns,” said commission Chair Tracey O’Donnal.
The commission voted unanimously to recommend denial of the rezoning request.
Final action on both rezoning requests will be taken by the Safford City Council at a future meeting.
