From Sandee McCullen
Florence Junction Landfill Update...
A little background:
Just a couple of weeks ago we (the public) found out about a proposed
landfill to be located on the private lands just inside the BLM lands south
of Cottonwood Canyon Rd. No one knew anything about the supporting data nor
had the applicants met with the Middle Gila Conservation Partnership (the
group doing the route inventory, evaluations and planning for motorized
trails. This group has been meeting for just over 7 years). The Pinal
County Open Space planning as well as the Trails Planning have never been
contacted either.
I was contacted about this and asked for the MGCP's Vision Statement for
this area along with the Goals and Objectives that were developed for this
area to be maintained as a multi-use recreation area. An article was
written for the Florence paper that simply contained facts or questions
regarding the need; the timing; or how does it fit with the already planned
uses of the Florence Junction area. There was nothing negative nor banning
of the landfill site... just facts or questions. This article truly set
the applicants on the warpath.
As a result of this article the applicants did host a couple of public
meetings.. one in Superior and one in Florence in the same night. A number
of OHV recreationists attended the meeting in Florence (we didn't even know
of the Superior meeting). There were many questions asked...... as well as
many different answers given. There were a few from the OHV community that
supported the plan with no questions asked. They felt the fact that the
applicants offered a new staging area and were planning on paving Cottonwood
Canyon was good enough for them. The fact regarding keeping tile roofs and
golf courses away as well as allegedly guaranteeing access were thought to
be substantive reasons to support this landfill. They were good thoughts
and maybe founded but there were no guarantees to OHV on anything.
I was then brought into the picture and met several times with the
applicants. It was made very clear we needed the offers in writing. They
basically refused. They did however, make firm fact they felt the Zoning &
Planning Commission would support them at the upcoming rezoning meeting the
next week. (last Thursday). I had already contacted the Board of
Supervisors and they all seemed to be 100% behind this plan and indicated
they would support it as presented. When we asked for a couple of months to
sit at the table and discuss some of the issues we were told an absolute "NO
WAY". This was a debatable issue but the OHV Coalition wrote a letter
requesting the "rezoning" of this property be held off until the Pinal
County Comprehensive Planning is complete. (Approx. 18 mths - 2 yrs).
Applicants were NOT happy about this and at that time they "pulled the
staging area out of the offer/plans". (Result of nothing in writing)
At this time both the Az OHV Coalition and the ASA4WDC felt if this was a
done deal regarding rezoning, we had best at least try, to attach
stipulations requiring a number of the issues be a part of the zoning
itself.
Well.............. I must say I'm impressed with the Pinal County Planning
group. They have been working diligently for the past 4-5 years on
developing a sound plan for the future of Pinal County. They CONTINUED to
do this on Thursday.
The Planning & Zoning Commissioners voted to 'POSTPONE THE DECISION FOR 3
MONTHS REQUIRING MORE DATA INVOLVING THE NEED AS WELL AS THE STATUS OF THE
EXISTING SURROUNDING LANDFILLS." "WATER issues as well as HAZMAT issues
were also asked for". The applicants vehemently pushed for a "denial" vote
in lieu of a postponement. WHY, you ask? If P&Z had denied the application
they could have simply overstepped P&Z and taken it to the Board of
Supervisors where they believe they are unanimously supported.
So, where does OHV sit in this? We MUST continuing meeting with the
applicants with plans for a satisfactory staging area (they are offering
only 2 acres); continue with the safety issues of concern; and the planning
for the 'protected' area. The anti-access groups want this area (adjacent
to the landfill itself) as a psuedo wilderness!!............ We need to
show how we can "protect" the saguaros and have a trail system or play area
at the same time.
Continued meeting with the users of this area was one of the stipulations
that they agreed to so we'll soon see whether they hold up their end of the
bargain.
Goes back to P&Z in November so between now and then I will be having
meetings to review plans and/or issues that will benefit OHV but still
uphold the goals and objectives already planned for the area. Anyone
interested in joining, please let me know.
Sandee
sandee@mccullens.com
Florence Junction Landfill Update...
A little background:
Just a couple of weeks ago we (the public) found out about a proposed
landfill to be located on the private lands just inside the BLM lands south
of Cottonwood Canyon Rd. No one knew anything about the supporting data nor
had the applicants met with the Middle Gila Conservation Partnership (the
group doing the route inventory, evaluations and planning for motorized
trails. This group has been meeting for just over 7 years). The Pinal
County Open Space planning as well as the Trails Planning have never been
contacted either.
I was contacted about this and asked for the MGCP's Vision Statement for
this area along with the Goals and Objectives that were developed for this
area to be maintained as a multi-use recreation area. An article was
written for the Florence paper that simply contained facts or questions
regarding the need; the timing; or how does it fit with the already planned
uses of the Florence Junction area. There was nothing negative nor banning
of the landfill site... just facts or questions. This article truly set
the applicants on the warpath.
As a result of this article the applicants did host a couple of public
meetings.. one in Superior and one in Florence in the same night. A number
of OHV recreationists attended the meeting in Florence (we didn't even know
of the Superior meeting). There were many questions asked...... as well as
many different answers given. There were a few from the OHV community that
supported the plan with no questions asked. They felt the fact that the
applicants offered a new staging area and were planning on paving Cottonwood
Canyon was good enough for them. The fact regarding keeping tile roofs and
golf courses away as well as allegedly guaranteeing access were thought to
be substantive reasons to support this landfill. They were good thoughts
and maybe founded but there were no guarantees to OHV on anything.
I was then brought into the picture and met several times with the
applicants. It was made very clear we needed the offers in writing. They
basically refused. They did however, make firm fact they felt the Zoning &
Planning Commission would support them at the upcoming rezoning meeting the
next week. (last Thursday). I had already contacted the Board of
Supervisors and they all seemed to be 100% behind this plan and indicated
they would support it as presented. When we asked for a couple of months to
sit at the table and discuss some of the issues we were told an absolute "NO
WAY". This was a debatable issue but the OHV Coalition wrote a letter
requesting the "rezoning" of this property be held off until the Pinal
County Comprehensive Planning is complete. (Approx. 18 mths - 2 yrs).
Applicants were NOT happy about this and at that time they "pulled the
staging area out of the offer/plans". (Result of nothing in writing)
At this time both the Az OHV Coalition and the ASA4WDC felt if this was a
done deal regarding rezoning, we had best at least try, to attach
stipulations requiring a number of the issues be a part of the zoning
itself.
Well.............. I must say I'm impressed with the Pinal County Planning
group. They have been working diligently for the past 4-5 years on
developing a sound plan for the future of Pinal County. They CONTINUED to
do this on Thursday.
The Planning & Zoning Commissioners voted to 'POSTPONE THE DECISION FOR 3
MONTHS REQUIRING MORE DATA INVOLVING THE NEED AS WELL AS THE STATUS OF THE
EXISTING SURROUNDING LANDFILLS." "WATER issues as well as HAZMAT issues
were also asked for". The applicants vehemently pushed for a "denial" vote
in lieu of a postponement. WHY, you ask? If P&Z had denied the application
they could have simply overstepped P&Z and taken it to the Board of
Supervisors where they believe they are unanimously supported.
So, where does OHV sit in this? We MUST continuing meeting with the
applicants with plans for a satisfactory staging area (they are offering
only 2 acres); continue with the safety issues of concern; and the planning
for the 'protected' area. The anti-access groups want this area (adjacent
to the landfill itself) as a psuedo wilderness!!............ We need to
show how we can "protect" the saguaros and have a trail system or play area
at the same time.
Continued meeting with the users of this area was one of the stipulations
that they agreed to so we'll soon see whether they hold up their end of the
bargain.
Goes back to P&Z in November so between now and then I will be having
meetings to review plans and/or issues that will benefit OHV but still
uphold the goals and objectives already planned for the area. Anyone
interested in joining, please let me know.
Sandee
sandee@mccullens.com