BISBEE — Habitat For Humanity of Sierra Vista received approval of a rezoning request to build a multi-family residential community at Schrader Road and Reese Boulevard.

County planner Keith Dennis explained Habitat plans to construct 15 to 18 three-bedroom, two-bath, single patio homes and needed the 10 contiguous parcels rezoned from TR-18 (one residence per 18,000 square feet to MR-1 (multiple family housing with one dwelling per 3,600 square feet). The development is required to have its own wastewater treatment facility.

Habitat will also provide a 50-foot-wide right of way along Shrader Road and Reese Boulevard.

Also at the meeting Tuesday, to get ready for the special election on the referendum to raise state sales tax by a cent, Tom Schelling, county elections director, needed the OK of supervisors to designate polling locations and consolidated voting regions. 

The election will be held with the same guidelines as the presidential preference election, meaning not all polling stations will be available for voting.

However, Schelling noted there will be 27 voting regions in the county for the May 18 election, more than there were for the last election.  

Schelling said the election will cost the county an estimated $179,710 that covers his department’s costs and that of the county recorder. The state normally sets a rate of $1.25 per registered voter, but for this election, the counties are being asked to submit the cost estimates for reimbursement from the state’s $8.322 million pot. But, Schelling needs to cover costs and asked the supervisors to front $85,875 for the referendum.

Schelling noted there will be three voting locations in Benson and two more sites in Sierra Vista.

Also at the meeting, supervisors also approved a $2.276 fuel contract with Pro Petroleum to provide gas and diesel for the county’s fleet of vehicles and heavy equipment. The sum reflects a $17,000 saving in fuel costs over last year, said procurement director Dave Seward.