Council approves code amendments on warehousing space

At its regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 8, the Sierra Vista City Council approved code amendments concerning warehouses, storage, and distribution.

With increased interest in warehousing space in the community, which is in short supply, Council approved amendments to the City’s Development Code. The changes include allowing warehouse, storage, and distribution as a principal use in General Commercial zones under certain provisions.

“The main motivation is to increase reuse potential of larger, empty buildings on the West End,” Community Development Director Matt McLachlan says.

The amendments and accompanying provisions are anticipated to meet business demand and encourage development while maintaining City standards. They were moved forward for a 30-day public comment period on Dec. 14 and the City received no public comments. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the amendments after holding a public hearing on Nov. 15.

In other business:

• Mayor Clea McCaa proclaimed the month of February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in and for the City of Sierra Vista.
• The City Council approved and adopted the Sierra Vista Roadway Design Manual and associated code amendments. The Roadway Design Manual includes construction standards for roads, sidewalks, curb and gutter, access management, revised road classifications, revised street profiles, sight distance requirements, and landscaping and irrigation standards in the right-of-way. Also included are minimum standards for drive-thru vehicle storage.
• The City Council authorized an amendment to the Traffic Circulation Plan of Vistas 2030 that reclassifies Foothills Drive, El Camino Real, Golf Links Road between 7^th Street and Coronado Drive, and Wilcox Drive east of the Cochise College downtown campus as Minor Collectors.
• The City Council moved forward amendments to the Sierra Vista Development Code concerning right of ways. These modifications allow eligible property owners to claim credit for portions of adjusted right-of-way property to construct porches or room additions. The public can view the amendments and submit comments through March 11, 2024, by visiting engage.sierravistaaz.gov.
• The City Council authorized the transfer of a series 7 liquor license application from Delect Foods of Arizona to Pizza Hut. The license is for a beer and wine bar at 3680 E. Fry Boulevard.
• The City Council accepted the resignation of Karly Scarbrough from, and appointed Allyne McFalls to, the Arts, Humanities, & Cultural Diversity Commission.
• The City Council accepted the resignations of Rosemary Mackey, Pam Anderson, and Tait Wilcox from, and appointed Wendee Grinde and Alvira “Vera” Gates-Williams to, the Neighborhood Commission.
• The City Council voted to appoint Mayor Clea McCaa, Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Umphrey, and Council Member Marta Messmer as primary members; to appoint Council Members Angelica Landry and Mark Rodriguez as alternate members; and to reaffirm City Manager Chuck Potucek as an alternate member of the Upper San Pedro Partnership Advisory Commission.