Maricopa supervisors deny special use permit for home-based hay business after neighbors cite noise, fumes and road safety

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Jan. 28 to deny a special use permit for the Rancharo Livestock Supplies Project (case SU250021), a home-based hay storage and delivery operation in District 4.

Tom Ellsworth, the county’s Director for Planning and Development, told the board the request sought to allow hay storage, loading and delivery and use of a hay “squeeze” forklift on a 1.2-acre parcel in a rural residential area. Ellsworth said the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended a two-year limited permit with strict conditions after neighbors raised concerns about noise, vibration, diesel fumes, traffic from large trucks, blocked access on a private 15-foot easement and fire-safety risks from on-site hay storage.

Neighbors who testified said the operation had been louder and larger than represented. “Those fumes will drift over to us. We’re like prisoners in our own home because the fumes are so bad,” said Debbie Thompson, a neighbor who said machine noise and diesel smells had seeped into houses and disrupted daily life. Other residents described hay stacked above six-foot fences, heavy trailers driving a narrow residential access road and damage to fences and the roadway.

Chad Dixon, a consultant for the applicant, said the owner had removed an on-site barn, planned to limit storage to 600 bales in two center stacks, and was willing to follow the planning commission’s conditions while seeking a new commercial location. The homeowner, Areida “Nereda” Gastro, told the board she had consulted county permitting when starting and later proceeded with the special use permit process after county complaints.

Vice Chair Debbie Lesko, who introduced the motion to deny, cited repeated neighbor complaints and what she said was continued noncompliance with the commission’s conditions. “I think it’s time that the applicant just moved to a proper location for this hay business,” Lesko said before moving to deny the item.

On roll call the board voted to deny the permit, with Lesko, Supervisor Gallardo, Supervisor Galvin, Supervisor Stewart and Chair Brophy McGee voting in favor of the denial. The motion carried unanimously, removing the special use permit request from consideration.

The denial means the property must cease or relocate the activities that prompted the zoning violation unless the owner seeks another lawful remedy; board members also cited private-road maintenance and public-safety concerns raised by residents.

The Planning and Development staff are available for follow-up on code-compliance questions and enforcement options, the chair said. The board moved on to other agenda items after the vote.