County P&Z to look at rodeo arena in Mescal

BISBEE — For nearly one year, the county Planning and Zoning Department has been fielding numerous objections to a proposed 42,000-square-foot roping and rodeo arena in Mescal.

It was last February when the county shut down the operations of Tom Anderson for running the arena without a special-use permit as required in an RU-4 zoning designation (one single-family home per four acres).

The matter was on the Planning and Zoning Commission’s agenda in November but was tabled at the request of staff to allow more comment time from area residents.

It will be discussed at the commission meeting to be held Wednesday.

There are many comments from neighboring residents who do not want the traffic, dust, noise and pests that come with events involving horses and cattle. The department has received 14 letters and a petition in support, while 21 residents wrote letters of objection.

In the documentation provided to the Herald/Review, senior planner Michael Turisk recommends approval of the special-use permit with specific conditions. Some of those conditions are: collection and disposal of animal waste and trash; events shall be limited to four per month and one per week on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; amplified sounds are to be directed toward the arena area; acoustical baffles and other measures are to be used to reduce off-site noise; alcoholic beverages are to be prohibited; and fencing is to be repaired and maintained to contain livestock on the site.

Another condition requested by the Mescal Volunteer Fire Department Chief Warren Neff that may be imposed is the replacement of a cattle guard that the engines currently cannot cross. He also pointed out the potential fire danger for homes near the proposed facility.

Turisk also adds the condition to remove the cattle guard at the intersection of Cherokee Trail and Meadowlark Lane to widen the apron at the intersection and chip-seal it to provide an adequate turning lane onto the private road leading to the arena.

The commission was to have heard a request from Desert Thunder Gymnastics to modify its existing special-use permit to expand its facility on East Thuma Road in Sierra Vista, but that request was withdrawn by the applicant, the Herald/Review was informed Monday morning. The 4.93-acre parcel already holds a 6,000-square-foot facility previously granted by the commission and a manufactured home. Owners Lonnie and Charles Rule wanted to add another 4,800-square feet to the facility, which lies in an RU-4 district. Staff had recommended conditional approval.

Just outside Tombstone on Monument Road, a special-use permit in an RU-4 District for a guest ranch and facilities also will be reviewed. Architect Wolfgang Klien, who works with Tombstone Amigos LLC, has requested the special-use permit to construct and operate a 17-room guesthouse, a multi-use lodge with food and beverages and accommodations for staff and stabling of 30 horses on a 272-acre former ranch land across from the Ed Schieffelin monument. Planning staff is recommending conditional approval for the new facilities.