Planning and Zoning Staff and Commission Public Hearing - June 24, 2026

The Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on June 24, 2026, addressing several land use and zoning matters. A significant portion of the meeting focused on a controversial case involving a large recreational pond project proposed by a local social service agency. Numerous public comments expressed concerns about water conservation, zoning violations, and the lack of a conditional use permit (CUP) for the project. The commission debated whether ponds on residential properties require CUPs, ultimately voting unanimously to disapprove the community development director's determination that such ponds are permitted without CUPs, effectively requiring further review. Additionally, the commission approved a zone change (ZC26003) to rezone a property to allow for smaller residential parcels and unanimously approved a conditional use permit (CUP2567) for a museum project, including conditions to protect native landscaping. The meeting highlighted challenges in balancing zoning authority with state water regulations and community resource concerns.