Snowflake Town Council Is Asked To Renew Zone Change For Subdivision

By Naomi Hatch
   Approximately a year ago John Otis, representing Rio Vista Properties LLC, was granted a property rezone and plat approval for a subdivision located at 1291 W. Seventh South in Snowflake. Due to the downturn in the economy, the project did not get started, and the zoning law states that if the project has not been started within a year, the zoning reverts back to the original zoning. The Snowflake Town Council took the first step to rezone the project once again at its Nov. 10 meeting.
   Otis was present at the meeting to request a rezone of 36 acres from R-1A (Residential 1 Acre) to R-10 (Residential 10,000).
   He advised the council that he believed there would be a market and money will be available, so he’s hoping that the timing is right to take advantage of an increase in new home purchases. He explained that this will be a 55+ community and may be gated.
   “I acknowledge I have a lot of design challenges to get through,” said Otis. “We’re ready to go for it.
   Otis presented his request to the Snowflake Planning and Zoning Commission at a public hearing Nov. 3, where two adjacent property owners were in attendance and spoke in opposition to the rezone request.
   Zoning Administrator Dale Call noted that there was one other property owner present who did not speak.
   In response to a question posed by Mayor Kelly Willis, Otis said the opposition came from Roger Morgan and Rena Bryant on behalf of George Bryant.
   The commission determined the request was compatible with surrounding uses.
   Otis acknowledged that there will be design changes to be approved by the commission, but he will work with them.
   The council held the first reading of Ordinance 09-320 to rezone the property from R-1A to R-10. The second reading and possible approval of the ordinance will be on the agenda for the next council meeting.
   In other action Nov. 10, the council:
   * Reappointed Reid Stinnet to the planning and zoning commission. His three-year term will end June 30, 2012.
   * Was advised by Call that David Decker will resign from the planning and zoning commission in April or May, and his term is due to expire on June 30, 2010. The commission requested that the mayor and council consider potential candidates to fill this position until June 30, 2012.
   * Unanimously approved the appointment of Councilwoman Lorri Davis to the recently adopted Historic Review Committee, which was adopted by ordinance and requires a review of structures within the historic district along State Routes 77 and 277 prior to the issuance of a building permit. Dean Porter previously represented the council, but he has tenedered his resignation from the council.
   * Was advised by Pam Sutter that the Snowflake-Taylor Tourism Committee met that morning and discussed the holiday light parade. The parade will stage in front of Snowflake High School and go down Second West to Second North, turn right to Main Street, then turn right and go from Second North to First North, where it will turn right again to First West and return to the staging area.
   “I thought it sounded about as good a plan as we can come up with,” said the mayor. This will keep the cost down for the town and keep the parade around Heritage Park and the Freeman Home.
   Public Works Director Gary Fenstermaker said that he, Police Chief Jerry VanWinkle and Snowflake-Taylor Chamber of Commerce Director Greg Hudson were asked at the tourism meeting to prepare the application for an Arizona Department of Transportation permit and submit it as soon as possible.
   Councilman Jason Whiting, who also serves as president of the Tourism Committee, suggested that the mayors of Snowflake and Taylor lead the parade and, possibly, that council members participate in the parade. The council agreed with the suggestion.
   * Heard from Fire Chief Pat Hancock, who offered his thanks to everyone involved in a Dave Wood catered dinner to honor all volunteer firemen.
   * Heard a presentation by Bill Wood, chairman of the Little Colorado River Astronomy Club, regarding black skies.
   “I recommend to the council to form a committee that could look at issues to put Snowflake on the map as dark skies,” said Wood.
   * Unanimously approved canceling the Nov. 24 and Dec. 22 council meetings due to the holidays.