195-acre annexation sought of parcels at Empire and Gary

A Queen Creek public hearing was held recently for the proposed annexation of multiple parcels totaling 195 acres at the northwest corner of Empire Boulevard and Gary Road.

A rezoning application for approximately 180 acres has been filed for the site and will run concurrently through the annexation-review process, Development Services Director Brett Burningham and Interim Planning Administrator Erik Swanson said in a memo to Queen Creek Town Council.

“Upon annexation, the properties will be granted equivalent zoning of R1-43 in the town that was enjoyed in the county,” they said.

The site extends west from Gary Road to the future Signal Butte Road alignment and from Empire Boulevard north to the southern edge of the Harvest at Queen Creek single-family master planned community.

The area is called Empire Point on the council’s May 6 agenda and Empire Pointe on an EPS Group legal description and map.

No action was taken at the meeting. On the dais were Vice Mayor Julia Wheatley and Councilmembers Jake Hoffman, Robin Benning and Emilena Turley. Meeting by telephone were Mayor Gail Barney and Councilmembers Jeff Brown and Dawn Oliphant.

The annexation application was filed in October 2018. A blank petition, map and legal description were recorded with the Maricopa County assessor on April 16 and a 30-day waiting period ends May 16. The Town Council will adopt an ordinance about the annexation at a future meeting, according to the memo.