Public hearing followed by discussion and possible action on any and all matters regarding Rezoning Case No. 2020-068 and Ordinance No. 398. An ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Luis, Arizona, amending the official zoning map of the City of San Luis by changing the zoning classification of 18.44 acres from Light Industrial (L-I) to Medium Density Residential (R1-6) for property located on the southeast corner of Avenue E 1/2 and County 24th Street. (Jose A. Guzman, Director of Planning and Zoning)

A. Open public hearing B. Close public hearing
C. Approval of Reading of Ordinance No. 398 by title only
    (City Clerk to read the ordinance by title only)
D. Action on Ordinance No. 398

This is a request by Vianey R. Vega P.E. of Vega & Vega Engineering, PLC, on behalf of Sam Group Investment Company LTD Partnership, owner, to rezone 18.44 acres from Light Industrial (L-I) to Medium Density Residential (R1-6). The subject property is located on the east mesa of the City of San Luis on the southeast corner of Avenue E 1/2 and County 24th Street.

The properties to the north and west have are zoned Medium Density Residential (R1-6). Property to the north is the first phase of this project (Belleza del Desierto Phase 1 Subdivision) and to the west a future subdivision to be called Bienestar 11 Subdivision is on the works. The property to the south is zoned Light Industrial (L-I) and is vacant land. On the east, Southwest Arizona Industrial Subdivision is located with vacant lots zoned industrial and commercial. 

The purpose of the rezoning is for the construction of a new residential subdivision to be called Belleza del Desierto Phase 2 Subdivision. This subdivision will consist of 18.44 acres to be divided into approximately 88 lots with minimum size of 6,000 square feet and 1 tract for water retention. 

GENERAL PLAN:
This area was originally designated as Business in the City of San Luis 2020 General Plan. A Major Amendment was approved by City Council on December 2019 changing the land use designation of this property from Business to Neighborhood. 

The intent of Neighborhood land use designation is to focus on the primary living areas in the community and allow all residential zoning districts. The current General Plan Land Use Designation for this parcel is Neighborhood which is appropriate for the proposed residential zoning.

AGENCY REVIEW:
As part of the review process, all land use cases are reviewed by various city and outside agencies. We have received comments from the following agencies:

1. City of San Luis Fire Department (3-19-20)
2. Yuma County Airport Authority (3-23-20)
3. Yuma County Health Services District (3-23-20)

As required by State Statute, staff sent notification letters to property owners within 300 feet of the proposed project (3 letters). Although there are 9 properties surrounding the rezoning property, there are only 3 different owners within those properties. 

The city has not received any other significant concerns or objections from the various review agencies or adjacent property owners. 

CITIZEN REVIEW MEETING:
As required by State Statute  and the City Code, a Citizen Review Meeting was held on April 7, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., due to the pandemic, this meeting was conducted via teleconference. Notice of the meeting was sent to the adjacent neighbors and they were able to connect to the meeting or send out questions or comments via email before the meeting. The intent of this meeting was to allow the public to learn about the project, ask questions and express any comments. There were no people from the public connected to the teleconference neither did the city received any comments or questions prior to the meeting.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION:
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing for this item at their regular meeting of April 14, 2020, at City Hall. Due to the health situation, this meeting was closed to the public but members of the public could submit their comments via email before the meeting or they had the option to participate in the meeting via phone. The Commission recommended approval of Rezoning Case No. 2020-068 subject to the conditions as recommeded by staff. 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The applicant has provided the information and materials necessary for the review of the rezoning request.

Staff recommends approval of Rezoning Case No. 2020-068 subject to the following conditions:

1. That any development of the property, or portion thereof, and/or the approval of any subdivision plat, be conditioned upon payment to the city the sum of $260.00 per acre, or any portion of an acre, as a proportionate contribution for a traffic signal at the intersection of County 24th Street and Avenue E.  The city will initiate a regional circulation study in east San Luis within the next 12 months to establish the need for the traffic signals on Avenues F and E along County 24th Street.  The study will provide an estimated time as to when the traffic signals will need to be installed.  

A. I MOVE TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING B. I MOVE TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING
C. I MOVE TO APPROVE READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 397 BY TITLE ONLY.
   (City Clerk to read Ordinance No. 398 by title only)
D. I MOVE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 398.