Update
[SAHUARITA, AZ – Sep. 19, 2023] – As you were previously informed, the Town has requested, and Vulcan has agreed to provide an air modeling study. This study will include important information on the potential impacts of emissions from the proposed plant. Vulcan has provided new timing information on the air modeling study, notifying staff that it will not be complete until late October or early November. Once staff receives the study, the Town’s consultant will require approximately a month to review it. As the holidays are fast approaching, staff has determined that it will be in the residents’ best interest to wait until after the holidays to begin public hearings. We are currently targeting sometime between January and March to begin the public hearing process. You will be notified once a date is chosen.
Project information is available online at https://sahuaritaaz.gov/799/Planning-Projects. (Click on “Other” in the blue bar and scroll down.)
Previous Notice
[SAHUARITA, AZ – Aug. 31, 2023] – The Planning and Zoning Commission for the Town of Sahuarita has canceled a tentatively scheduled public hearing to allow time for the collection of critical air quality data. The hearing will be rescheduled toward the end of the year following Town analysis of the data.
The public hearing was intended to review the conditional use permit submitted by Vulcan Materials Company earlier this year, which would expand its operations to include hot mix asphalt production. Upon request from the Town, Vulcan has agreed to conduct an air modeling study to provide insight into the potential emission impact of expanded operations.
“An effective air modeling study will demonstrate how emissions will disperse in the air and impact air quality,” said Anna Casadei, Director of Planning and Building for the Town of Sahuarita. “These results will bring us additional data needed to consider the conditional use permit currently under review.”
While the study is underway, Town staff will continue to thoroughly analyze the application, including but not limited to topics of concern raised by the public such as traffic, odors, and health and environmental impacts.
“We have engaged the services of a consultant to help us analyze the technical aspects of the application,” said Casadei. “Rest assured, we are leaving no stone unturned as we assess this permit application on behalf of the many citizens and stakeholders who have engaged with this issue.”
The ability to hold the public hearing in November or December will depend on whether Town staff is able to complete a thorough analysis in that time. The analysis will be provided in a staff report that will be made available to the public ten days prior to the hearing. The community will be notified again when the date is officially scheduled.
Project information is available online at https://sahuaritaaz.gov/799/Planning-Projects categorized under “other” on the purple bar.
[SAHUARITA, AZ – Aug. 1, 2023] – A tentative date has been identified for the public hearing regarding Vulcan Materials Company conditional use permit currently under review by the Town of Sahuarita. The Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet on Sep.19, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the SUSD auditorium at 350 W. Sahuarita Rd.
“We have seen a lot of civic engagement on this issue, and we expect to continue to see the public come out to be a part of these important conversations,” said Mayor Tom Murphy. “We chose to move the hearing to a location that would better accommodate our residents.”
At this time, staff is continuing to work on the analysis that will be provided to the Commission for their consideration. The ability to hold the public hearing on Sept. 19 will depend on whether staff is able to complete a thorough analysis in that time. The analysis will be provided in a staff report that will be made available to the public ten days prior to the hearing. The community will be notified again when the date is officially scheduled.
“We want to do our due diligence,” said Anna Casadei, Director of Planning & Building for the Town of Sahuarita. “Clearly this is an issue that is important to our residents. Our careful consideration of each step in this process and detail of the CUP are tasks we take very seriously.”
The next two meetings regarding the proposal include:
Aug. 21 – Sahuarita Town Council Executive Session
Topic: Legal aspects of the Conditional Use Permit request from Vulcan Materials Company
Sep. 7 – Planning and Zoning Commission Executive Session
Topic: Legal aspects of the Conditional Use Permit request from Vulcan Materials Company
These executive sessions are the first in a series of conversations to explore the issue in greater detail. The initial meetings listed above are meant to provide legal advice to the Commission and Council and are not open to the public as they are subject to attorney/client privilege. No decisions are made at executive sessions.
“We need to get our arms around what is and isn’t possible under State and Federal law,” said Mayor Murphy. “There are conditions that limit our ability to tell a business what they can and cannot do on land they own. It is important for us to be clear on these regulations, and we appreciate the public’s patience as we do so.”
Project information is available online at https://sahuaritaaz.gov/799/Planning-Projects categorized under “other” on the purple bar.