Planning and Zoning Commission | Sept 3, 2026

The City of Casa Grande Planning and Zoning Commission held a meeting on September 3, 2026, primarily to review and recommend updates to Article Six of the city's landscaping requirements. The discussion focused on modernizing the nearly 30-year-old landscape code to promote water conservation, improve shade and heat island mitigation, and clarify landscaping standards for new developments, including subdivisions, site plans, and conversions. Key topics included limitations on turf usage, buffer yard requirements, landscape plan review processes, and the introduction of native plant compliance and landscape architect involvement for complex projects. The commission debated flexibility in screening wall materials and heights, irrigation standards, and the applicability of landscaping requirements to existing developments. Several amendments were proposed and approved, such as replacing "masonry" with "opaque screen" for screening walls and removing the term "solar" from shade structures to be more inclusive. The commission voted to forward the amended landscaping code updates to the City Council for final approval, with the understanding that further refinements may occur during the council's study session. Additionally, a related amendment to building and performance standards was approved. No contract awards, vendor selections, or budget allocations were discussed during this meeting.