William J. Simms

The meeting included a review of compliance classifications for unimproved parcels relative to the 1998 zoning code requiring asphalt surfacing for new commercial uses. Discussions detailed engineering, safety, economic development standards, and floodplain compliance benefits of asphalt over decomposed granite. The Commission continued deliberations on a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a commercial parking lot at 990 N. Broad Street (APN 207-15-118). Following public comment regarding costs and alternatives, the Commission unanimously approved the CUP subject to eight conditions, including mandatory asphalt surfacing as required by the current code. The July regular meeting was tentatively rescheduled.

The primary discussion focused on a public hearing and consideration of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for an outdoor recreational use for K-9 training and a special-purpose wire fence at 1060 E. Thornwood Dr. The applicant requested to continue operating the canine training facility, Jacob's K-9 Field of Dreams. Staff analysis addressed zoning compatibility, noise, and access requirements, recommending approval with conditions such as limiting vehicle trips to ten per day and requiring weekly trash removal. Public comments were uniformly in favor of the CUP. Following discussion and proposed amendments—including removing a lighting restriction, removing a right-of-way dedication condition, and adding conditions regarding fencing and placement of temporary structures—the Commission unanimously approved Case #UP-2025-01 with the stipulated amendments.

The meeting included consideration of several agenda items. The Commission approved the minutes from the April 16, 2025 meeting. A request to amend the site plan approval for Washington Federal Bank regarding the relocation and increased height of a monument sign was approved, subject to stipulations concerning bollards and a maximum height of 20 feet. A public hearing was held regarding a request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a commercial parking lot using decomposed granite surfacing instead of paving at 990 N. Broad St. Following extensive public testimony regarding historical use and financial hardship, and after noting unresolved legal and procedural issues concerning paving requirements, the Commission voted to continue this case to June 12, 2025. Finally, the Commission received a presentation and discussion regarding the city's zoning code provisions for home occupations, comparing current standards with peer community best practices, and requested staff prepare a schedule for a systematic code update process.

The Globe 2035 General Plan serves as a policy document and roadmap to guide the City of Globe's future growth, aiming to improve its quality of life and cultivate a dynamic economy. The plan is structured around three key themes: Building the Economy, Quality of Life, and Community Building, with a vision to create an economically diverse, vibrant, environmentally conscious community and strengthen its identity through sustainable growth strategies.

The 2013-2014 Strategic Plan for the City of Globe envisions an economically diverse, vibrant, environmentally conscious, and attractive community, integrated with its historic western mining, ranching, and regional government heritage. It aims to expand business and job opportunities, offer new living options, and foster redevelopment and preservation that reconnects neighborhoods to the Cobre Valley Region's environmental context and strengthens regional partnerships. Key strategic areas include economic development strategies (such as attracting retirees, downtown development, tourism, value-added mining, business retention and expansion, pass-through visitor services, and infrastructure development), implementation of Character Areas for land-use planning, identification of Growth Areas for future development, and the establishment of an effective multi-modal circulation network.