Developer asking Queen Creek to annex Pinal County land

Queen Creek is considering annexing more land, this time in Pinal County.

Gilbert-based developer Redfield Equity is asking the Queen Creek Town Council to annex close to 7 acres located generally at the southeast corner of Ocotillo and Meridian roads in Pinal County.

The council held its first public hearing on the request during its Nov. 19 meeting. As it was the first hearing, no action was taken. The council will vote on the issue following a second public hearing sometime in December.

The 6.9-acre site is made up of two adjacent parcels. Along with annexation, the developer will also be requesting that the property be rezoned from a rural designation to commercial to allow for the construction of a “neighborhood-oriented commercial corner,” according to a staff report.

A site plan will be submitted along with the rezoning request.

“Commercial development can be considered if appropriate measures are provided to create a compatible transition between adjacent properties,” the report continued. “Developments shall consider open space/landscape buffers, building locations, access, cross access, circulation, parking, buffering, public spaces, building design, lighting and noise impacts to create a compatible transition between the commercial development and adjacent rural property.”

Currently, the first parcel includes a single-family home with a tenant who is raising a small number of cattle in the rear yard. The second parcel includes an existing home and is temporarily being used for the staging of fiber optic cable being installed in the area, the report stated.

The parcels have been in the town’s planning area since 2002. The annexation request was filed in October.

“This annexation request will create new retail, restaurant and other commercial opportunities, contributing to overall job growth in the town,” the project narrative stated. “By bringing new shopping, dining and employment opportunities closer to residents and within municipal boundaries, the town can reduce retail and service leakage to neighboring jurisdictions, keeping dollars circulating locally.”

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