County reviews multiple major comp-plan amendment proposals for energy projects

Pinal County planning staff presented a work session outlining multiple major comprehensive-plan amendment requests that would redesignate several large parcels for utility-scale energy development.

Sangeeta Doker explained the annual timeline for major comp-plan amendments and showed draft maps of existing and proposed energy projects across the county. Three cases were highlighted: the Rosebud Energy Center (PZPA012-26), a 534.6-acre proposed conversion south of Maricopa and the Ak-Chin area; a 660-acre proposal on state trust land southeast of Red Rock adjacent to an APS site (PCPA014-26); and a 956-acre redesignation near Maricopa now proposed for employment uses (PZPA015-26). Staff noted the statutory schedule for review and public participation and said the Citizens Advisory Committee, planning-and-zoning and a November board decision remain on the calendar.

Sam Amaya and Tanya Bedward gave case-specific context, describing site locations, current land-use categories and the relationship of proposed energy uses to neighboring parcels including the Nissan technical testing campus and existing infrastructure. Staff emphasized that many projects are being proposed in the county’s west side and that work remains to verify acreages and environmental stipulations such as wildlife connectivity and wash crossings.

Board members asked about opportunities for public engagement and whether city agencies (for example the city of Maricopa) had been contacted; staff said the county is engaging with affected municipalities and will receive formal comments in advance of later hearings.

The work session did not produce a final vote; it set expectations for further CAC and P&Z review, and identified items — including neighborhood meeting outreach and agency reports from AZ Game and Fish — that staff will finalize before hearings.