BISBEE — It looked as though Wednesday’s Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting would have to be canceled due to the lack of a quorum.

Proposed location of observatory.

But thanks to commission member John Wendle leaving his sickbed and driving from Sierra Vista to Bisbee, the issues on the commission’s agenda were completed, including action on a private astronomy facility and two permit requests.

Of the nine-member commission, two members had deaths in the family and three were sick. The meeting was delayed for 30 minutes while waiting for someone to show up. Wendle was contacted and at first tried to participate via his cell phone, but audio problems arose, and he chose to make the drive.

In addition to Wendle, those attending were chairwoman Karen Corey, Jim Martzke, Duane Brofer and Al Haralson.

There were three items on the agenda, and all faced opposition. Lengthy public hearings caused the meeting to run more than five hours.

The commission members granted the Tucson Amateur Astronomer Association a special-use permit to construct a private astronomy education and outreach facility near Sunizona on 16 acres zoned RU-4 (single family residences on a minimum lot size of four acres) off South Prince Ranch Road.

Four club members donated portions of their land to serve the club’s endeavor to build a complex that will eventually include telescope and observatory pads, an amphitheater, restrooms, RV spaces, a 16-foot dome observatory, clubhouse, sleeping quarters  and parking facilities. The complex will be the site of the club’s monthly stargazing events.

Phase I is the construction and installation of observatory pads, an amphitheater, restrooms and parking facilities. Phase II includes a 16-foot dome observatory, clubhouse and ramada. Phase III is tentative but would include a roll-off roof observatory, caretaker residence and sleeping quarters for up to 12 guests.

The club selected the site for its dark skies and low population.

In other business, the commission members also approved a special-use permit on 10 acres in St. David for a two-room bed and breakfast, though with some stiff conditions.

And a request to rezone the Kokopelli Springs Resort from TR-36 (transitional residential minimum lot size of 36,000 square feet) to MR-2 (multiple residents with a minimum lot size of 3,600 square feet) to accommodate a mobile home park, three duplexes and two single-family homes on 14.81 acres on Highway 80 was tabled until funding for a new wastewater system in the park could be confirmed.