Maricopa commission approves Sanctuary Phase 1 subdivision after executive session; members split over emergency access

The Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Sanctuary Phase 1 preliminary plat (SUB24‑07) for 339 single‑family homes on approximately 83.02 gross acres after an executive session on June 23.

Derek Shearer, of the city’s Development Services Department planning division, introduced the application from CBL Consultants on behalf of Maricopa Hartman, LLLP and recommended approval subject to the staff conditions in the packet.

The commission’s discussion centered on access. The preliminary plat proposes Phase 1 of the Sanctuary planned area development with internal collector roads and a proposed all‑weather emergency access that would remain temporary until later phases are developed. City staff and the project team said the proposal complies with the general plan and Sanctuary PAD development standards.

City Engineer Eduardo said the irrigation infrastructure along Casa Grande Highway complicates building a full secondary paved access now. He told commissioners that undergrounding the irrigation line could require work for about half a mile and cost roughly $1.8 million, with an additional roughly $2 million for constructing the road. Eduardo said the combined expense would raise per‑home costs by roughly $10,000–$12,000 per rooftop in a roughly 339‑home buildout. "If we don't have the rooftops that we need to build the collector then, and we have the possibility to keep it as an emergency access, then we do it so that the homes at the end are more affordable," Eduardo said.

Several commissioners raised safety and long‑term maintenance concerns. Commissioner Club warned that an economic downturn could leave the development unfinished and residents without a second access, saying, "If we do go into recession, they walk away." Commissioners asked who would maintain the emergency access if the builder left; staff said maintenance responsibility would shift to the homeowners association (HOA) and the city has mechanisms to intervene and bill the HOA if maintenance is not performed.

The commission first voted on a motion to approve the preliminary plat; that motion failed on a 3‑3 roll call (Commissioner Brent voted no; Commissioners Robertson, Lawrence and Chair Singleton voted yes; Commissioners Yoakam and Klob voted no). The body then voted to go into executive session and reconvened. After the executive session, Commissioner Robertson moved to approve the plat; the motion was seconded by the vice chair and carried.

The approved preliminary plat lists a mix of lot sizes for Phase 1: 153 lots sized 40 by 120 feet, 99 lots sized 45 by 120 feet, and 87 lots sized 50 by 120 feet, for a total of 339 lots. Staff noted the subdivision will be bisected by a collector road and will include pocket parks and a primary amenity park in Phase 1.

Commissioners asked staff to research how other Arizona cities handle required secondary access for subdivisions and report back. Staff offered to return with a report on August 11.

The commission’s approval is subject to the written conditions in the staff report and any stipulations added during deliberations; no ordinance or council action was taken at this meeting.

Officials and the applicant repeatedly separated discussion (questions about safety, cost estimates, and HOA maintenance) from formal action (the failed motion, an executive session, and the final approval vote).