A city-initiated rezoning from single-family to multiple-family residential has been proposed for 15 lots in the Superstition Villa subdivision. The parcels are between South San Marcos Drive and South Plaza Drive along the south side of West 16th Avenue.

“Every housing structure in this area is a multiplex --- a form of multi-family residence --- which would be considered non-conforming and conflicting under the current RS-7 zoning designation,” Nicholas Leftwich, planning intern, said in a memo to the Apache Junction Planning and Zoning Commission.

Prior to 2014, the zoning designation for lots 1-8 and lots 17–23 was multiple family residence, which authorized the multi-family residences. When the city adopted a new zoning ordinance and zoning district maps in 2014, the subject properties were incorrectly given the new zoning designation of RS-7 --- medium/high density single-family detached residential --- which is an incompatible zoning designation due to its single-family residence requirements, Mr. Leftwich said.

“This zoning conflict was recently brought to the attention of the staff and creates conflicts regarding the usage and permitting of these properties. Staff seeks the commission’s direction to rezone these properties to multi-family residential,” he said.

The planning commission and Apache Junction City Council will discuss the city-initiated rezoning at future meetings.