BISBEE — It’s been a yearlong process — one of public workshops and meetings with county officials and the planning and zoning department discussing changes that may need to be made to the county zoning code.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission will discuss and possibly approve those revisions to the code during the regular meeting.

Judy Anderson, planning and zoning director, states in the documentation for the meeting, “This draft is not intended to be a complete rewrite of the regulations. It is intended to address issues and concerns that have been raised by elected and appointed officials, staff and the public since the overall update in 1999.”

The proposed revisions are meant to simplify and clarify the regulations as well as build in more flexibility in the administration of the regulations. The changes also will build in conformance to the county comprehensive plan.

From animal husbandry to yard trash, the commissioners will go over the proposed changes with Anderson. There will be opportunity for public comment during the hearing. If the commissioners approve the changes, the new zoning code will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for discussion during the May 20 meeting.

The commissioners also will discuss the tentative plat for Quail Run Ranches Subdivision, a 53-lot development on 80.53 acres at Fort Grant Road and Marguerite Road near Willcox.

Developers of Arizona Sky Village, near Portal, have requested a fourth extension on the tentative plat for the second phase until Jan. 8, 2009. Phase 1 of the subdivision was approved back in May 2003.

Planner Beverly Wilson recommends approval with the following conditions: the final plat is turned in and approved before the expiration date, the roads be constructed to current standards and maintained by the homeowners association, road plans be submitted for approval by the county engineer prior to submission of the final plat, and roads within the subdivision be designed for a speed of 25 miles per hour.

Two people have requested special-use permits to start wineries in the county.

One request is from Sam Pillsbury to grow grapes for the manufacture and sale of wine on 60 acres in Kansas Settlement, south of Willcox. Eventually, the winery may include on-site sales, tours and a wine-tasting room. However, that will require a modification of the special-use permit to expand the the proposed initial operation.

The second is made by John McLoughlin of the Dragoon Winery to establish a wine-making operation on 10 acres on Bell Ranch Road in Kansas Settlement.

He intends to build a 7,400-square-foot processing plant and expects production to reach around 4,000 gallons of wine per year. There will be no on-site sales or tasting of McLoughlin’s wine.

Meeting

The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the board of supervisors meeting room at the County Complex on Melody Lane in Bisbee.

Herald/Review reporter Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692.