Commission recommends approval of minor general-plan amendment for MDI Rock Products amid community concerns about crushing and truck traffic

The Florence Planning & Zoning Commission on Oct. 2 voted to forward a recommendation of approval, with conditions, for a minor general-plan amendment to allow a rock retail and landscaping materials operation for MDI Rock Products at the southwest corner of Attaway Road and Arizona Farms Road (case PZ-25-72).

Town planning staff described the request as a minor general‑plan amendment because the site is under the acreage threshold that triggers a major amendment. Staff said the property is currently designated suburban neighborhood in the general plan but has historically carried PUD zoning without a formal PUD document. Staff recommended approval because surrounding properties are moving toward industrial or commercial uses and the site lies near planned transportation infrastructure (the North‑South Corridor/505 alignment, Pinal Parkway) and a rail line within about a mile.

Taylor Earl of the law firm Earl & Curley, representing MDI Rock Products, said the planned use is “a rock retail site” selling landscaping rock and CMU block and described the business as a low water‑use commercial operation. Earl said the applicant will return later with a rezoning case and site plan, where operational details and mitigation measures will be set.

Neighbor Vincent Dobson, who owns land immediately north of the site, asked the commission to prohibit on‑site rock crushing, citing noise and health risks from fine dust. Dobson said: “Rock crushing will be prohibited at this site.” He also asked that the town require a long deceleration lane for trucks entering the facility from Arizona Farms Road.

Commissioners and staff discussed truck impacts and the applicant’s statement that the rail line could reduce long‑haul truck miles. Staff and the applicant acknowledged that rail delivery would still require local truck movements to transfer materials from the railhead to the site and that detailed operations including any crushing or screening would be clarified and addressed during the rezoning and site‑plan review. Staff also noted that dedication of rights‑of‑way and half‑street improvements and any required off‑site improvements would be considered in later zoning/site plan steps.

A motion to recommend approval with conditions was made by Commissioner Pro and seconded by Commissioner Woolley; the motion passed by voice vote (three ayes). The commission recorded no formal opposition in written comments at this stage.

Next steps: the applicant will submit a rezoning/site‑plan application to the town, where staff and technical advisory committees will evaluate operational details (including whether crushing is proposed), dust mitigation, required roadway improvements and any required deceleration lane or right‑of‑way dedications.