BISBEE — Imagine a community where you could walk or bike to work, take the kids to a park and even have a walk in the moonlight.

That community could be  coming to Cochise County after a unanimous vote for the recommendation of approval of the rezoning of property that will become a 1,344-unit multi-use development just west of Douglas and just north of the border on Kings Highway.

The 367-acre complex will have 1,090 multi-family residences and 254 single-family homes with retail, small businesses and maybe even a grocery store.

ShadeTree Consulting’s Jim Huff explained the nuances of Copper Sky, which includes different Southwestern architectural styles for homes, apartments and businesses with the townhomes designed as back-East brownstones. The different units will appeal to first-time buyers, empty-nesters and retirees. The businesses will be focused on daycare, office, service, retail, restaurants and any other business appropriate to the residents’ needs, Huff said.

Included in the plans is an 8.5-acre school site and a  half-acre public safety facility. “This is the kind of development we want to see,” said Susana Montana, the county planning manager.

Douglas has been approached to provide water and sewer services, though it will take annexing land east of the development to reach the property and may entail a wastewater treatment plant expansion. “This will be the first of its kind on the ground in the county,” said Huff in his presentation.

The units will have low- water-use fixtures, point-of-use hot water heaters, recirculating systems, graywater plumbing and rain-water-harvesting systems. Huff is also in talks with the county on a recharge system to get water back into the aquifer.

The owners, Ardent Investments LLC, have even agreed to make 15 percent of the homes solar ready as requested by planning staff.

Huff expects it will take around 16 years to build out.

Carlos de la Torre, the city of Douglas’ public works Director, told the commissioners, “We are very interested in this development. We see development coming and we need to be part of the planning process. This development is unique.”

It could take two years to annex the property into the city, de la Torre said.

St. David resident William Jacovitch was opposed to the project.

“Sunsites had a lot of promises, too,” he said. “Where is the sewer plant? Where is the Dairy Queen that one man asked for? We have a lot of failed developments in the county. If they all came to fruition, would we have enough water to support them? This may give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, but when the water goes you’ll lose that.”

Manuel Comaduran has lived in Douglas for 40 years and is currently with the port of entry. “Copper Sky looks good for Douglas,” he said. “The different agencies need housing. They don’t want to drive home to Sierra Vista. They’d rather stay here in Douglas or even in Bisbee.”

McNeal resident Helen Jackson had just one question to ask: “Why put 3,000 people in an area where there are already water problems?”

Commissioner Lee Basnar complimented the residents on the points they made but said he feels there will be tighter control on water use under the planned water system than there would be if four-acre lots were developed with private wells and septic systems.

The matter will go before the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 12 for final approval.

Two other rezonings  also were approved unanimously for recommendation to the Board of Supervisors — one in Bowie and one in Paradise.

The Bowie rezoning concerned two lots that were general business and the owners wanted them rezoned from general business to RU-9 (residential home on at least 9,000 square feet) so they could get financing to replace old lead pipes, old wiring and do other renovations.

The Paradise rezoning request was a downzoning from RU-36 to RU-2 to accommodate a possible conservation easement and the construction of a shack and a deck near Turkey Creek.

The next Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on July 23 in the Board of Supervisors meeting room at the county complex on Melody Lane.