Keith Dennis, Planner
Cochise County Planning & Zoning

 A recent article in the Sierra Vista Herald brought the public’s attention to ongoing efforts to explore this alternative energy source within the County.  That article can be found at http://www/svherald.com/articles/2008/04/07/news/doc47f9b4f12669d231002469.txt

 As noted in the referenced article, a wind generation company is proposing to submit an application for a Special Use Permit to install 6 anemometers in the Mule Mountain area to conduct a two-year study to determine if that area would be suitable for a commercial wind-power electric generation facility—as of the date of this article the application however has not been submitted.  In the event that this application is actually submitted, the Commission would like to hear from experts in the field to understand the location criteria and relevant land use issues involved in both residential-scale and commercial-scale wind power facilities.  Experts from power companies, permitting agencies and experts in recent State and Federal laws regarding alternate energy mandates for power companies have been invited to present information to and answer questions from the Commission at a study session held at the Commission’s regular meeting of May 14, 2008 from 4 to 5 PM.  

 The Commission will not discuss any site-specific location or proposed project, nor will they take any action at the study session, as no decisions are made at study sessions.  The Commission is not expected to take any public testimony, rather, the study session will be an opportunity for the experts to share their knowledge of industry needs and related land use issues and for the Commission to query the experts and discuss their concerns amongst themselves without taking any position or action on a particular permit application.  If an application for a wind-power electric generation facility is submitted, the applicant will be required to conduct a citizen input process in advance of the application and the County will place a notice in the local newspaper, post a legal notice on the property and notify nearby property owners of a public hearing to take testimony on the specific request.

Meeting  agenda

Tentative Planning Commission Agenda, May 14, 2008, 4:00 p.m. Dockets to be heard after the 4:00 p.m. study session

• SU-08-09: Special Use for an existing children’s day care center for up to 10 children in a single-family home in Pirtleville.

• Z-08-05: Rezoning request of an approximately 4-acre parcel from TR-36 (Transitional Residential – 36,000 square foot minimum lot size) to General Business to expand the available lot coverage for a church as well as to expand the church’s signage options, located at 5700 South Highway 92 in Hereford, AZ.

• Z-08-06: Rezoning request for a 5.9 acre site from TR-18 (18,000 square foot minimum lot size) to General Business in Elfrida for an auto repair shop.

• R-06-02 and 03: Consideration of amendments to the Subdivision Regulations and Planning and Highway and Floodplain Departments fee schedules to allow developers to select a “self-certification” option for subdivision improvement plans for no fee if stamped by an Arizona licensed engineer.