04/04/2025
Explanation of vote – Fountain Hills Rezone March 17, 2025
Regarding my vote on the Fountain Hill rezone that was held on Monday, March 17, 2025, agenda items 37 and 38 at the Board of Supervisors meeting.
As I stated at that meeting, this was the arguably the hardest decision I have had to make since taking the office of District 4, Board of Supervisor.
I did more research on this proposal for rezone than I have ever done before.
Besides reviewing the proposal including plans and schematics provided by the developer, including the prior zoning history of the property, I reached out and met personally with area residents prior to the vote. I wanted to hear the concerns of those in opposition to the rezone, and I wanted to see firsthand the area that was being proposed for the rezone.
After receiving a request from an area resident who requested to meet, he took me on a tour of the area and outlined his concerns and suggestions.
I also met with Mr. Travin Pennington, an employee of Angle Homes, who was the developer, who drove me around and through the area including the proposed subdivision. I also went and toured the area several times on my own, looking at the area and even taking photos. During that time, I met with several area residents who were walking through the subdivision exercising or walking their pets.
I engaged those residents in conversation and asked them why they supported or did not support the rezone. Several I spoke to advised of their support of the rezone; but said they would not speak up at any public meetings for fear of harassment or retaliation by neighbors.
At my suggestion, Angle Homes President Tyler Angle and several employees held a public meeting on March 6, 2025, which was a cold, and windy Thursday afternoon, on North Sun Mountain Boulevard. Mr. Angle showed photos and diagrams of the area and listened to and answered questions of the approximately 60 people who attended the presentation. Concerns and issues were presented to Mr. Angle about the project, and he responded to them.
During the time of doing all the investigation into this project, I heard and noted the issues that area residents had concerns with. As the Supervisor for this area, I wanted to be clear of the issues and see if it was possible to solve or mitigate them.
Issues of concern I noted during my investigation into this project included availability of sufficient water to service current subdivisions and the proposed subdivision in the area; water pressure, Cherum Road maintenance, excessive traffic through existing subdivisions, safety at/near the cluster mailboxes, fire protection and availability, utility easements for water for residents on Cherum, and dust concerns.
Mr. Angle also heard these concerns and furnished me with information on the water issues, including reports from both the state and local water company. I have these in the file if you would like to see them. The file contains information on water pressure, the sizes and availability of water storage tanks that will serve the area, and the fact that the water availability information submitted was approved by the State of Arizona.
Mr. Angle also has agreed to work with the United States Postal service and remove the cluster mailboxes on Sun Mountain Blvd. and put them in other areas that are much safer for area residents. Note Mr. Angle was not the developer who put these mailboxes in the current location.
Another issue that Angle Homes has agreed to resolve was installing a utility easement that will allow those residents on Cherum Road who currently are in water haul areas, to hook up to the water lines that serve other area residents.
Angle Homes has agreed to grade a road meeting Mohave County standards starting at the fountain on East Fountain Hills Road, east to the intersection of Cherum Road, and then north on Cherum Road all the way north to the property line of Angle Homes at East Sundown Road. Once accepted into the County Road system, Mohave County will be responsible for keeping Cherum Road and the dirt road on East Fountain Hills Road, up to county standards. Our Public Works Director, Mr. Steven Latoski, estimates that the road will be graded 7-8 times a year. This action will lessen the need for anyone coming in from the north or south on Cherum Road to go onto East Blue Flame Street in the Fountain Hills subdivision and ultimately on North Sun Mountain Blvd.
Other concessions by Angle Homes that will benefit area residents include putting in temporary roads from the subdivision onto Cherum that will allow construction equipment to utilize Cherum Road instead of going into the two subdivisions to the south of the Angle subdivision on Sun Mountain Blvd. This will lessen traffic and dust issues and improve the safety of area residents.
In addition, noting that concessions by Angle Homes that will improve the area and safety of residents, it also answers other residents’ concerns about water, and fire protection. Speaking of fire protection, the current fire station on Stockton Hill Road is currently not staffed full-time. The reason? Funding. But given that the owners of those $400,000 to $500,000 homes that will be built in these subdivisions, the taxes going into the fire district are estimated at $1200-1500 per year.
Finally, I looked at an aerial view of the entire area and noted that the proposed subdivision by Angle Homes is surrounded by either subdivisions or homes/developed property. It is not property that is unique to this general area.
In reviewing all the facts that were available at that time of the vote, I voted my conscience and believe then as I do now, that my vote to approve the rezone is and will continue to be in the best interest of the majority of citizens in District 4 and Mohave County.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, I can be reached at 928-753-8618 or at 928-715-4148. My email is [email protected]
