A general contractor plans to employ 100 people at an industrial fabrication plant and training center to be constructed west of Tomahawk Road and south of U.S. Highway 60 in Apache Junction.
The Apache Junction City Council is to hold a public hearing on a general plan amendment and rezoning of the 36.6-acre property during a meeting that begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, in the council chambers, 300 E. Superstition Blvd.
The Apache Junction Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously June 24 in two separate votes to recommend the council approve the general plan amendment and rezoning for the property near the northwest corner of Cactus Road and Auto Center Drive. Commissioner Ari Kalan was absent.
Sundt Construction plans to build a light-manufacturing and administrative training facility and employ about 100 people, Senior Planner Nicholas Leftwich told the commission.
The property is owned by the Horne auto company, which also owns commercial properties to the east. Horne is planning to sell the property to Sundt, he said.
“The general plan land use designation of this property ... is commercial; that is one of the things that would change through the major general plan amendment. We would change that land use designation from commercial to light industrial, business park and industrial, and that’s just because the B4 and B5 industrial zones require that general plan land use designation,” Leftwich said. “The planning of this was more of just as it has been held by Horne, it was designated commercial kind of to match whatever their eventual plan was but they never developed it or their expansion plans only went as far as that Cactus Road alignment.”
About 9 acres is in the first phase of development, Lisa Gage of Ray Law Firm told the commission.
“We are here with the elevations that we have worked very closely with staff to make sure that they meet the design standards for the city and it’s a building that you all can be proud of,” she said.
Sundt Construction, represented by Brennan Ray of Ray Law Firm, is the applicant. Horne 1200 LLC is the owner.
Sundt is planning an industrial development to support its construction efforts throughout Arizona and other places, according to a written project narrative.
“As a general contractor, Sundt plans to utilize the space to fabricate pipe spools, structural pipe supports and other small industrial needs. Additionally, the building will allow Sundt to provide on-site craft and administrative training for current and future employees,” it states.
The primary duties of the planning and zoning commission include community contact regarding items including a zoning change request, to an application from a developer for a shopping center development or housing project. Also included are conditional use permits with the final decision being handled at the planning and zoning commission level, according to the city’s website.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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