Each element includes strategies and actions that supports its vision and goals of
implementation. The Land Use Element includes a Land Use Map with 10 land use
categories that describe the types and locations of land uses, residential densities, and
commercial intensities that are planned within the town. The majority of the land use
within the town limits is either rural, which is characterized by low density, single‐family
residential and agriculture, or neighborhood, which includes a mix of single‐family and
multi‐family residential, small scale commercial, and employment. The San Tan Mountain
Regional Park in the southern part of the Municipal Planning Area accounts for the
majority of the open space land, but there are smaller parks and trails scattered
throughout the town. A large piece of land in the northeastern Municipal Planning Area
is identified as a special district for Arizona State Trust land. As such, it is identified as a
growth area for future potential development.
The plan identifies 10 areas that the Town anticipates will experience continued growth
with new housing, services, and employment opportunities. The 10 growth areas are
listed below.
Sossaman Farms
Canyon State Academy
Urban Center
Town Center
North Specific Area Plan
State Route 24
East Growth Area
South Specific Area Plan
Jorde Farms South
Box Canyon
The State Route 24 growth area is primarily made up of the Arizona State Trust Land in
the northeastern Municipal Planning Area and is the closest growth area to Rittenhouse
Training Site. However, the General Plan makes no mention of Rittenhouse Training Site,
the AZARNG, or its missions in the area, and thus has no policies in place to guide
compatible development.
Zoning Ordinance
The Town of Queen Creek’s Zoning Ordinance was most recently updated in August
2017. Efforts were started in 2014 to update and modernize the town’s zoning code that
was originally adopted in October 1999. The ordinance establishes 32 zoning districts,
broken into three categories–residential districts, non‐residential districts, and overlay
districts. There are 18 residential districts, 12 non‐residential districts, and two overlay
districts.
Section 5.5 of the zoning ordinance covers outdoor lighting standards and provides
regulations to minimize light spillover and light pollution. The standards help reduce light
impacts at night that could interfere with nighttime operations at Rittenhouse Training
Site.
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