Council adopts rezoning of 18.24 acres on East Route 66 to heavy industrial

The City Council adopted an ordinance on April 2 rezoning approximately 18.24 acres at 6500 East Route 66 from Rural Residential (RR) with a resource-protection overlay to Heavy Industrial (HI) with a resource-protection overlay.

Applicant and project description: Attorney Tony Cullum and developer Robert Miller described the site as a reclaimed cinder pit the owner regraded and brought water to with a 6,000–7,000-foot water line and hydrants. Miller said he intends to use the property to provide industrial storage and contractor yards for local businesses that currently lack room in Flagstaff to store equipment and materials. Neighbors who testified in support said the site’s freeway access would reroute industrial traffic away from local streets and that the use fit the site’s location. Robert Miller described long-standing Flagstaff ties and his experience with mining and materials supply.

Public process and findings: Cullum told council the project was submitted in 2019–2020 and had received unanimous approval from the Planning and Zoning body after staff review; the applicant held neighborhood meetings and staff reported that departments had reviewed the proposal. Several nearby residents, including Julie and Warren Smith and contractor Brent Edgar, spoke in favor, citing construction-industry needs and traffic benefits.

Council action: The city clerk read the ordinance by title and council voted to adopt Ordinance 2024-10 to complete the rezoning with standard severability and clerical-authority language. Staff noted that right-of-way and site-specific conditions (resource protection overlay) remain in force.

Outcome: Rezoning was adopted, enabling the developer to move into final design and permitting under the Heavy Industrial zone and the resource-protection overlay conditions that apply to the site.