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BISBEE — In a 2-1 vote, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors approved the final plat of Rio Corte Estates, a 22-lot minor subdivision on 66 acres in Hereford.
The supervisors had a long discussion during Tuesday’s meeting on the merits of a minor subdivision going in so close to the San Pedro River.
A minor subdivision means the developers can cluster homes to provide a greater area for open space. In the case of Rio Corte Estates, it means around 31 acres will remain open for hiking trails, riding trails and possibly a detention basin for recharge of the aquifer as was originally proposed by the developers.
There was an issue with fire suppression since water for the homes will be from individual wells and not a water company. Developers have agreed to install a well and water storage tank for that purpose.
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Water conservation methods, such as low-water fixtures and hot-water recirculating systems, will be suggested to home buyers and builders.
Included in the covenants will be a limited building envelope of 35,000 square feet, drip irrigation systems and drought-tolerant plants. Swamp coolers as the sole source of air conditioning will be prohibited.
“We could have had 16 homes there on lot splits with no regulations on water use,” Supervisors Pat Call said. “We felt that if we can move people into a subdivision where water conservation rules are imposed, we would be ahead.”
Supervisor Paul Newman said the county lacked the power to stop development along the river and the legislation needed to give county’s the authority to protect the San Pedro River.
The development will be served by three existing dirt roads — Land Grant, Limousine and Windsock. Residents along those roads have voiced concerns over the heavy traffic of construction vehicles and the additional traffic that will be on the roads upon build-out. The new home buyers of Rio Corte Estates will be responsible for maintenance of the three roads.
“This shows me that local developers and residents can work in cooperation with each other… I think this is good news,” Call said.
Searle was not convinced that the homeowners association would be able to keep up the 1 1/2 miles of dirt road that provides access to the subdivision. He indicated he would prefer there be a stipulation that the road would be graveled and built to county standards.
Call and Newman voted to approve the final plat, while Searle voted against it due to the access roads issue.
The supervisors also approved an agreement with New Hope Fellowship for faith-based outreach services to local residents who are HIV-positive. The vote came after discussion on just what the church is doing with the $9,840 the county provides as part of the deal.
The county was awarded $677,377 in a Housing Opportunities for People With Aids New Projects grant to implement an innovative program of delivering housing services to HIV-positive residents in urban and rural areas of Southern Arizona.
Newman had some trouble at first with the whole idea of public money going to a faith-based organization.
“It’s a nebulous area. The government cut social programs and went to the churches to help get people trained for jobs. But, what about people who are not Christian? What about Jews? I’m not sure Jewish people with AIDS would be comfortable seeking help from a Christian organization,” he said.
Searle also questioned public money going to a religious organization and asked if there had to be an inclusion of a faith-based organization. County grant administrator Patty Lewis replied, “Yes.”
Searle then said, “I have concerns about this and I think we need to look into this issue. We need to keep church and state separate.”
In another matter, the Brite Spot, which has been closed for years on Highway 92 in Hereford, will be coming to live again under the new owner Marianne Updike. The supervisors approved a liquor license for the restaurant.
“This was a landmark business and it’s been closed for some time,” Call said. “I’m glad to see it getting back on its feet.”
In other business the Board of Supervisors:
• Removed the item from the agenda dealing with the auction of county property, an old railroad bed, on the south side of a golf course road alignment located west of Leslie Canyon in Douglas. The property has been appraised at $27,000.
• Approved the expenditure of $850 for County Administrator Mike Ortega to travel to the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference staging area.
• Approved an amendment to the contract between Cochise Health Systems and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Administration. The amendment includes minor changes in language to delete reference to a new benefit that was supposed to be put in place called community re-integration.
• Approved a renewal of a five-year agreement between Arizona Department of Health Services and the Cochise County Health Department for a grant in the amount of $594,650.
• Accepted a petition to accept a portion of San Carlos Avenue as a county highway.
• Approved an agreement with Thunder Mountain Cycling Club Inaugural Time Trail Race to be held on Oct. 28.
REPORTER Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at shar.porier@bisbeereview.net.
AnybodyButCall wrote on Oct 17, 2007 3:42 PM: