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Zoning amendment approved for Marigold development near old drive-in
After a public hearing, Council approved a zoning change allowing the Marigold development, near the drive-in movie theater, to move forward.
The Marigold development is being proposed for land on the north side of Highway 60 from Holder Drive to the hillside adjacent to the LDS Church and the Cecil Circle subdivision. It is immediately south of Round Mountain and includes approximately 58 acres of land. The site is located at 1785 Highway 60.
The development is planned to include 120 single-family homes, including single-story and two-story homes of varying sizes, patio homes of 1200 to 1500 square feet, and detached townhomes of 2000 to 4000 square feet, as well as a 300-room hotel/resort and convention center and several mixed-use residential buildings with a total of 600 units.
The development would also have a pool, a fitness center, a chapel, and its own fire station. An easement would allow public access to Round Mountain Park through the development.
Zoning changes to accommodate design
The zoning change allows Marigold to reduce the minimum lot size and dimensions and setbacks between housing units. It also applies modified public roadway details. The amendment also allows for church, hotel, and convention uses and the proposed fire station.
The council’s action amends an existing planned area development (PAD) that was approved in 2015 in the form of the Mariposa development. A planned area development is a zoning overlay to accommodate and allow for flexibility in a project that has an innovative design and will be developed as a cohesive unit.
“This [land] has been slated for commercial, all different kinds of things and … this is the best project we’ve seen.” – Councilman Fernando Shipley
According to the zoning code, PADs are expected to offer substantial open space or recreational facilities, preservation of the land’s natural character, design and amenities that “create a unique alternative to conventional development,” and the provision of property owners’ associations with CCRs.
Amending the PAD requires hearings with a citizen/neighborhood review prior to the hearings. A P&Z Commission public hearing was already held for the Marigold zoning amendment on April 3. The citizen/neighborhood review meeting was held on March 20. P&Z recommended approval of the amendment.
Neighbors’ concerns
Globe’s zoning administrator, Dana Burkhardt, gave a 3D tour of the proposed development via slides, and a representative from Marigold attended the hearing in person to answer questions and address concerns.
The development is adjacent to existing homes where people have lived for 20 to 30 years. The developer is working with those residents to try to accommodate their wishes, such as building only single-story homes next to their property.
Residents who spoke at the public hearing expressed additional concerns. Those concerns included the connection to Holder Drive, and the closeness of one of the entry intersections to Holder Drive and to residents’ driveways. The development has two entrance/exits onto the highway. It does connect to Holder Drive but only for emergency access.
Burkhardt said ADOT would apply its own criteria to the distance between intersections, acceleration/deceleration lanes, and other such areas.
Residents also expressed concerns about the sewer and water capacity to handle the development as well as the existing homes.
Jepson said the capacity of water and sewer lines will be more than adequate for needs.
As to fire safety and emergency services concerns, Burkhardt said the development would comply with building codes, and Jepson said the fire chief is closely involved in the planning for the development.
Marigold hopes to break ground before the end of the year.
Community pool set to open Memorial Day weekend
Pool manager Lisa Fletcher provided an update on the Globe Community Pool 2024 swim season.
Fletcher said the pool will be heated this year, extending the season. City Manager Paul Jepson pointed out that the heater “will not turn the pool into a sauna,” but it will extend the season, so people should not expect it to keep the pool at a swimming temperature late in the season.
The pool is currently hiring lifeguards, and there will be an air-conditioned employee lounge and bathhouse office where lifeguards can cool down during their breaks. The lifeguards will not be allowed to use cell phones while they are working, but can be contacted through the pool office. Jepson said lifeguards are the pool’s largest expense, and there will be more oversight this year than last year.
Water and Wastewater Manager Vince Mariscal pointed out that Public Works staff are responsible for maintenance and water safety at the pool year-round. The City now has two Public Works recreational specialists who provide seven-day-a-week coverage to maintain all pool and park facilities, including downtown bathrooms.
Mariscal said Public Works is overseeing the preparation of the pool for the 2024 season, including remodeling the bathhouse, which will have tiled showers, as well as resolving remaining punch list items and monitoring for warranty issues.
Looking toward 2025, Fletcher said the City plans to open the concession stand, offer water aerobics and swimming lessons, and have a longer season that year. There will also be recreational events at the pool beginning in 2025.
2023 accomplishments
Last summer, the pool’s daytime hours were from 12 to 5, but many families asked for later hours and these were provided in the fall and were popular, Fletcher said.
The pool was also able to accommodate the Piranhas and Sharks swim teams without overlapping them.
The pool offered disposable swim diapers for infants and toddlers, and served as the venue for large events such as the CVRMC Employee Family Day, 4-H, and church groups.
2024 pool hours and fees
This year, the pool will open on May 25 and will initially be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. On July 29, the hours will change for the school season. The pool will then be open Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
There will be lap swimming in the mornings, which will be planned around the swim team practices.
Day passes will cost $1 for ages 0 to 17 and for seniors age 55 and older, and $2 for adults ages 18 to 54.
Monthly passes will cost $20 for for ages 0 to 17 and for seniors age 55 and older, and $30 for adults ages 18 to 54. A family monthly pass will be available for $50 and will be good for two adults and up to six total individuals living at the same address.
Annual passes will cost $50 for ages 0 to 17 and for seniors age 55 and older, and $60 for adults ages 18 to 54. A family monthly pass will cost $100.
Facility rental fees will cost $250 or $350 for exclusive usage depending on the size of the group. Rental of the competition pool only, intended for swim meets, practices and other events, will cost $100. Non-pool facility rental will cost $120 for two hours, for exclusive usage up to 400 people.
During swimming hours children under 13 will have to have an adult with them, or someone 16 years of age or older, and that person does have to pay the entry fee even if not swimming.
Jepson pointed out that the same fees apply whether people are Globe residents or coming from elsewhere in the region.
Jesse Hayes and Hagen Road sidewalk projects moving forward
Representatives from Rick Engineering and Sunrise Engineering presented an overview of the sidewalk projects at Jesse Hayes Road and Hagen Road.
The Jesse Hayes project runs from the new Pinal Creek Bridge to Oil Circle Road. The new sidewalk will conform to ADA requirements. In most places, it will be 5 feet wide to accommodate people walking side by side and allow wheelchairs to pass easily. There will also be new curbing and gutters.
The council is considering adding light poles to illuminate the sidewalk since lights currently exist only on the other side of the street. However, budget limitations mean the lighting installation might need to be pushed to a later time. Light poles cost $8,000 to $10,000 apiece.
The engineers are making provisions for stormwater drainage, including in the West Ridge Road area. Two-inch sloped gutters will help keep runoff from moving down people’s driveways. Closer to Oil Circle Road, the curb height might be increased to four inches to enhance safety.
The engineers are aware of drainage problems where Oil Circle Road and Matlock Drive run into Jesse Hayes Road, and they are discussing alternative solutions.
There are right-of-way issues near Oil Circle Road where the City may need to work with landowners to agree on potential easements.
Hagen Road
Sunrise Engineering will install sidewalks and curbs along Hagen from Oil Circle Road toward the east. This project will also help with drainage. Again, lighting could be installed in this area during the project, or provision could be made for the lighting to be installed later.
To increase safety, a six-inch curb is planned in this area. Since this area currently has no lighting, streetlights will be installed along the sidewalk.
The Hagen Road project runs from Jesse Hayes Road past the Public Works complex to the skate park. It will then follow the driveway into the skate park. New sidewalks will also be installed at the skate park, near the basketball courts and the restrooms.
Public comments to be heard
Both Councilman Rios and Councilman Pastor pointed out the need to inform and involve local residents in the process, including people closer to Connie’s as well as those who live directly along the sidewalk project route. Public involvement hasn’t happened yet only because the project is still in an early stage of planning. The project has not even reached the preliminary design stage yet.
“I think in the end, because it’s going to benefit all of them, and it’s going to benefit the area … I think people will be understandable and they will let us do what we need to do. Of course we’re not going to abuse it, and we’re going to work with them so they’re happy.” – Luis Chavez, Public Works Director
Public Works Director Luis Chavez said once the engineers incorporate Council’s comments from tonight into the design, the public will be brought into the process. At that time, Public Works can produce blow-up drawings to show each landowner exactly what will be happening in front of their house. Chavez said the work is being planned to avoid encroaching on private property.
Jepson said a public meeting is already slated and an additional one will be held if needed.
Chavez said the work is expected to begin in the fall of this year and will probably take a year and a half to two years, with the work being completed in stages. He does not expect to have to close the road for any length of time. He said the City will work with people who live along the sidewalk to be sure they will have access to their properties.
Globe Clean and Beautiful update
Michelle Yerkovich updated the Council on the Globe Clean and Beautiful clean-up campaigns. In January, a cleanup event was held, during which 296 tires were removed and over 31 tons of garbage, furniture, and vegetation were collected, for a total of over 39 tons of garbage removed from the community.
On the weekend of April 12-14, Globe Clean and Beautiful held another cleanup event where, in addition to garbage, furniture, tires, metal, and vegetation, people were also able to bring old computers and other electronics that will be refurbished for reuse. That event also offered document shredding. Four dumpsters were provided around town, as well as an additional dumpster at Euclid and Gleason provided by Capstone along with the Cathy Sanchez-Canez Memorial Foundation and Globe Trash Mobbers as part of the Love Where You Live initiative.
Yerkovich pointed out that the dilapidated house at 462 E. Cedar has been demolished, and the owner is doing additional demolition at 408 E. Apache Street after the City issued a notice of violation.
Paul Manfredi said Globe Clean and Beautiful is also working toward reducing the number of utility poles, where often there is an APS pole next to an abandoned pole that carries other old utility lines.
Tri-City chief denies encumbrances claim
Robert Jacques, President of the Tri-City Sanitation District, spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting to emphasize that Tri-City will not be placing any encumbrances on properties to pay for the new sanitation system. An encumbrance is a lien against the title of a property. Citizens Ag
Jacques said it is true that residents will be paying a yearly assessment fee and a monthly O&M charge – but there will be no encumbrances as some have claimed.
Jacques told a story to illustrate that Tri-Cities works with people who can’t pay their fees, allowing them to take more time to pay. In that situation, Tri-City would place an encumbrance on the property involved until the assessment is paid.
The project has cost about $4.2 million so far, paid for by a WIFA loan. Jacques said that loan will be rolled into an interim loan for construction.
Motions approved
Council also approved motions for the following:
- Accounts payable in the amount of $436,219.35
- Approving 4 of 5 bed tax distribution requests for the following organizations:
- For the Gila County Historical Museum for the first quarter of FY 2023-2024 for $8,691.48 and the second quarter of FY 2023-2024 for $7,626.27, for a total distribution of $16,317.75.
- For the Globe-Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce for the first quarter of FY 2023-2024 of $13,037.23 and the second quarter of FY2023-2024 for $11,439.41, for a total distribution of $24,476.64.
- For the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts, the first quarter of FY 2023-2024 was $11,588.65, and the second quarter of FY 2023-2024 was $10,168.36, for a total distribution of $21,757.01.
- For the Globe Downtown Association, $11,588.65 was distributed in the first quarter of FY 2023-2024, and $10,168.36 in the second quarter, for a total of $21,757.01.
Members of the Globe City Council: Mayor Al Gameros, Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton (District 4), and Council members Freddy Rios (District 1), Mike Pastor (District 2), Jesse Leetham (District 3), Mariano Gonzalez (District 5), and Fernando Shipley (District 6). All members were in attendance at this meeting except Councilman Leetham.
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To view documents related to this meeting, click here.
Full minutes can be found by going to the City Hall website .
The Globe City Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meetings are currently open to the public at 50% capacity. Members of the public are requested to wear a mask except when seated. Seating is limited to allow for social distancing.
Members of the public can also participate in City of Globe public meetings by viewing them live on YouTube. To view the live stream of the Council meeting, go to the City of Globe’s YouTube channel (search for City of Globe Arizona).
To speak to agenda items before or during the meeting, call or text (928) 200-0154 or email council@globeaz.gov. If you desire to speak to the Council during an agenda item.
Patricia Sanders lived in Globe from 2004 to 2008 and at Reevis Mountain School, in the Tonto National Forest, from 2008 to 2014. She has been a writer and editor for GMT since 2015. She currently lives on Santa Maria island in the Azores.
