Z2020011 BOS REPORT_PART2.PDF

Maricopa County — Formal (2020-11-18)

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Outstanding Concerns from Reviewing Agencies 
   Para.10 
No mention of outstanding ADEQ complaints.  Mr. Spargo received a response from 
Mario Barrios ADEQ (barrios.mario@azdeq.gov).  Regarding soil contamination.  Dust 
issue forwarded to Maricopa County. 
   Para. 12 d 
“All outdoor lighting shall conform to Section 2318 of the Maricopa County Zoning 
Ordinance.” 
 
MC Zoning Ordinance Section 2318 is nonexistent. Either supply that ordinance as an 
attachment or use current applicable ordinance. 
   Para. i. 
Referenced “Section 2806”. 
 
MC Zoning Ordinance Section 2806 is nonexistent. Again, either supply that ordinance 
as an attachment or use current applicable ordinance. 
Note: 
Sent on behalf of Planning and Development Custodian of Records. 
Your request Details: 
Request #: 3732 
Date Submitted: 7/22/2020 12:33:47 PM 
Request description: Maricopa County Zoning Ordinances effective in the 
year 1999. 
 
Custodian of Records Comments: I have searched and did not locate the 
1999 Zoning Ordinance. This request is complete and is now closed.  
 
 
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION 
 
One Stop Shop photo of Eagletail Airstrip Map describes Gross Acres 7.52 approximate. 
 
Area outlined on map is 20.14 Acres. 
 
 
Email to Sean Watkins dated February 27, 2020 (attachment included) 
Discloses Mr. Spargo contacted Ombudsman Kathryn Garcia, who assured Mr. 
Spargo that his signature for authorization of the inclusion of his property was 
required (6/24/2019.) 
 
 
EAGLETAIL AIRSTRIP APPLICATION   Received February 24, 2020 
 
 
I. 
Description of Proposal-   
“For approximately thirty five years (55) years the Ranch..” 
Numerical disparity. (Eagletail Ranch is irrelevant anyway) 
The Property is confined within the boundaries of the Ranch… 
Eagletail Ranch East boundary is 547th Ave. (West of the proposed SUP.) 
“The airstrip has also been used by…local farmers in support of their agricultural 
requirements.” This started in 2019 and was not part of the original Narrative. 
Crop dusting is a commercial activity. Commercial aviation operations were not 
considered in the original SUP narrative.  
This seems to be a violation of the spirit and intent of the 2000 SUP.

II 
Relationship to Surrounding Boundaries 
“The remaining owners provided the Manager, Michael Tragarz to manage the 
affairs of the Special Use Permit and the airstrip operations at the first and 
subsequent five (5) year status updates on file with the County.” 
• 
Signatures obtained were for one 5 year Report only.  
• 
All required signatures by spouses not obtained. 
1 
Physical Boundaries 
 
“no other neighbors located within three hundred (300) feet of the Airstrip 
other than the Owners who have, through the Supplemental Use Permit 
process, authorized the Manager, Michael Traqgarz to represent the interests of 
the Supplemental Use Permit with regard to County requirements.” 
• 
Is there a difference in a Supplemental Use Permit rather than the 
Special Use Permit as described in document? 
• 
March 17, 2020 County Attorney affirmed in writing that Mr. Tragarz did 
not have the legal authority to represent the Owners.  At the Planning 
and Zoning Meeting, it was also mentioned that since he could not 
represent the Owners, he didn’t have the right to request an extension. 
• 
Why wasn’t the application dated February 24, 2020 thrown out then? 
• 
The Application for Renewal of the SUP requires written signatures and 
dates by the Owners on their Renewal Application form.   
 
Conformance with Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance Section 2308 
“Section 2308 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance…” 
“Pursuant to Section 2308…” 
MC Zoning Ordinance Section 2308 is nonexistent. Supply that ordinance as an 
attachment or use current applicable ordinance. 
Operation 
“The Airstrip will be used by (the Owners) in accordance with the Supplemental 
Use Permit…” 
There is a legal difference when using the word Supplemental Use Permit and 
Special Use Permit. 
Benefits to the Community 
“(c) as provided for is the current Special Use Permit, support for the local 
farming community by reducing the cost of production of their crops.” 
The current SUP only supports Ranching and residential concerns.  The omission 
of Agricultural is purposeful because crop dusters are noisy, dusty and are a 
concern of chemical contamination.  Mr. Tragarz inserted this new statement in 
the renewal narrative. 
Use and Enjoyment of Property 
“The Owners enjoyment of their property will be enhanced without 
compromising the use and enjoyment of the other property owners.” 
Commercial Operations compromise the enjoyment of owners that reside on 
the runway and the collateral chemical contamination is health hazard.  
• 
The Spargos have soil samples of chemical contamination on the runway 
from the crop dusters (with pictures).

• 
There are testimonials attesting to crop dusters dumping over vacant 
and residential land. 
• 
Noise from the powerful turbine engines is loud causing the walls in the 
home to vibrate. 
• 
The turbine powered crop dusters running multiple missions per day on 
an unstable dirt strip generate huge quantities of dust.  The 
environmental complaints sent to ADEQ are an example. 
Conformance with Adopted General Plans 
 “…operation of an airstrip at this location is a compatible private non-
residential use which provides support services for aviation, agricultural and 
ranching activities and the surrounding area.” 
The original text from the 20 year SUP never included support services for 
aviation and agriculture. These were added so Tragarz could include the crop 
dusters which have been contested by the Kooistras and Spargos. 
The original petition was for a Private Residential Airstrip. 
“The owners purchased the parcels with the anticipation of using the airstrip for 
their personal use.”  
 
 
Drawing for Special Use Permit-     7.5 Acres is runway only! 
       
Missing Documents  
Packet did not include:  
• 
Document from Planning and Zoning March 17, 2020 Meeting.  
Conclusion by County Attorney that Michael Tragarz did not 
have the legal authority to represent ALL the landowners. 
• 
Email dated April 7, 2020 from Sean Watkins to Lyle Spargo. 
Mr. Watkins confirmed the expiration of the SUP on 4/5/2020 
 
• Evidence of required property owner’s authorization signatures 
on Renewal Application by all single and joint property owners. 
• Original Narrative Report 
• Obsolete ordinances referenced

Z2020011
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Report to the Planning and Zoning Commission
Prepared by the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department
Case:
Z2020011 – Eagletail Airstrip 
Hearing Date:
July 23, 2020
Supervisor District:
5
Applicant:
Gretchen House & Michael
Tragarz,
99AZ Eagletail Runway 
Association
Owner:
99AZ Eagletail Runway Association
Request:
Modification of Condition for permanent extension of Special Use 
Permit (SUP) Z99-87
Site Location:
Generally located between Broadway Rd. and Southern Ave. 
approximately ¼ mile west of 539th Ave., in the Harquahala area
Site Size:
Approx. 7.52 acres
Density:
N/A
County Island:
No
County Plan:
Rural Development Area
Municipal Plan:
N/A
Municipal Comments:
None received 
Support/Opposition:
Opposition from Lyle Spargo
Recommendation:
Approve with conditions

Z2020011
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Project Summary:
1.
The applicants are requesting a modification of condition ‘d’ of SUP Z99-87, to renew the 
SUP and allow continued use of Eagletail Airstrip in perpetuity. SUP Z99-87 was approved 
by the Board of Supervisors on April 5, 2000. That approval was to expire on April 5, 2020, 
however, on April 22, 2020 the County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to 
extend all deadlines with critical dates from March 1, 2020 to July 1, 2020 for 120 days. 
Accordingly, the deadline for Z99-87 was extended to August 5, 2020.   
2.
Eagletail Airstrip is an approximately 3,280’ x 100’ (7.52 acre) private landing strip on the 
Eagletail Mountain Ranch. The strip bisects 11 approximately 40-acre parcels having 
8 separate ownerships generally located between Broadway Road and Southern 
Avenue, and approximately 0.25 mile west of 539th Avenue, in the Harquahala area.
3.
Violation V201902093 was opened and a Notice of Complaint was mailed to the Flying 
Ranch Properties LLC on November 15, 2019 in response to a complaint regarding 
alleged non-compliance of stipulations of approval of SUP Z99-87, specifically, 
unpermitted runway lighting. Code Enforcement followed-up on the complaint by visiting 
the subject property on January 6, 2020. No runway lighting was found and the complaint 
was determined to be invalid. Accordingly, the violation case was closed with no further 
action required. 
4.
Shown below is the existing language of Z99-87 condition ‘d’
d.
This Special Use Permit shall expire 20 years from the date of approval by 
the Board of Supervisors. 
The requested modification of condition ‘d’ is shown with new language underlined and 
bold. Staff notes that the original approved narrative report with Z99-87 will remain as the 
original approved document. The changes to stipulation ‘d’ will only reference the 
requested modification of condition.
d.
This Special Use Permit shall be in perpetuity or shall expire upon termination 
of the use. Any improvements associated exclusively with the SUP shall be 
removed within 180 days of such expiration.

Z2020011
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2018 Aerial Photo
(SUP Area Outlined in Red)
SUP Area Ownership and Support/Opposition Status

Z2020011
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Zoning Map 
(SUP Area Outlined in Red)
Site Plan
Rural-190
Rural-43
Rural-43

Z2020011
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Existing On-Site and Adjacent Zoning / Land Use:
5.
On-site:
Rural-43 / Graded & Compacted Airstrip
North:
Rural-43 / Vacant and Single-Family Residential
South:
Rural-43 / Vacant and Single-Family Residential
East:
Rural-43 / Vacant 
West:
Rural-190 / Vacant (state trust land)
Utilities and Services:
6.
Water:
Private wells (Eagletail Water Company)
Wastewater:
Septic 
School District:
Arlington Elementary School District #47, Buckeye Union High School 
District #1 
Fire:
Harquahala Valley Fire District
Police:
MCSO
Right-of-Way:
7.
The following table includes existing and proposed half-width right-of-way and the 
future classification based upon the Maricopa County Department of Transportation 
(MCDOT) Major Streets and Routes Plan.  
Street Name
Half-width Existing R/W
Half-width Proposed R/W
Future Classification
539th Avenue
55’
55’
Minor Arterial
547th Avenue
0’
0’
None
Adopted Plan:
8.
Comprehensive Plan Vision 2030 (adopted January 2016): The plan designates the area 
as Rural Development Area.
Public Participation Summary:
9.
The applicant complied with the Maricopa County Public Participation Process with the 
required site postings and notification by first class mail to the adjacent property owners 
within 300’ of the subject site and interested parties. To date opposition has been 
received by staff from one party, Mr. Lyle Spargo who, along with Irene Spargo, owns one 
of the parcels that comprise the SUP area (APN: 506-27-055A) and an adjacent parcel 
(506-27-055B) which includes a residence and an apparent aircraft hangar with access 
to the airstrip. Mr. Spago opposes the current SUP renewal and inclusion of his property in 
it because he opposes the commercial (crop dusting) operations that have apparently
been taking place at the airstrip, which Mr. Spargo believes were never part of the intent 
of the SUP. Additionally, Mr. Spargo believes the crop dusting aircraft create more noise 
and dust than non-commercial aircraft would produce. Finally, Mr. Spago does not 
believe that the materials submitted by Ms. House and Mr. Tragarz (on behalf of the 99AZ 
Eagletail Runway Association) provide authority to proceed with the current request over 
his objection.

Z2020011
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Outstanding Concerns from Reviewing Agencies:
10.
Staff has received no comments of concern from reviewing agencies including Luke Air 
Force Base, the Arizona State Land Department and the Arizona Department of 
Transportation.   
Staff Analysis:
11.
County records indicate that Eagletail Airstrip has adhered to the stipulations of approval 
for SUP Z99-87. There have been no zoning violation issues and staff is supportive of the 
current perpetual SUP renewal request. Reviewing County agencies have no objection 
to the modification of conditions.
Recommendation:
12.
For the reasons outlined in this report, staff recommends the Commission motion for 
Approval, subject to stipulations ‘a’ – ‘j’ of Z99-87 including modified condition “’d.”’ All 
other stipulations associated with Z99-87 shall remain in effect.
a.
Development shall comply with the site plan, entitled "Site Plan of Eagletail 
Airstrip,”, consisting of 1 sheet, dated January 3, 2000 and stamped received 
January 14, 2000 except as modified by the following stipulations.
b.
Development shall comply with the provisions in the narrative report entitled 
"Eagletail Airstrip, Maricopa County, Arizona Special Use Permit Narrative Report", 
consisting of 7 pages, dated January 28, 2000 stamped received February 3, 2000 
except as modified by the following stipulations.
c.
The applicant shall submit a written report outlining the status of the development 
at the end of five years from the date of approval by the Board of Supervisors.  The 
status report shall be reviewed by staff to determine whether the special use is 
compatible with the surrounding area.
d.
This Special Use Permit shall be in perpetuity or shall expire upon termination of the 
use. Any improvements associated exclusively with the SUP shall be removed 
within 180 days of such expiration.
e.
All outdoor lighting shall conform to Section 2318 of the Maricopa County Zoning 
Ordinance.
f.
Major changes to this Special Use Permit must be processed as a revised 
application with approval by the Board of Supervisors upon recommendation of 
the Commission.  The Department of Planning and Development may 
administratively approve minor changes.
g.
No person shall operate, maintain, use or allow the use of any area larger than 
5,000 square feet for the parking, storage, servicing or dispatching of motor 
vehicles without first implementing reasonably available control measures to 
effectively prevent or minimize fugitive dust.

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h.
After zoning approval, but prior to issuance of any building permits or the issuance 
of a drainage clearance, the developer or his representatives must contact the 
Flood Control Permitting Office.
i.
Non-compliance with the regulations administered by the Maricopa County 
Environmental 
Services 
Department, 
Maricopa 
County 
Department 
of 
Transportation or the Maricopa County Flood Control District may be grounds for 
initiating a revocation of this Special Use Permit as set forth in Section 2806 of the 
Zoning Ordinance.
j.
The number of flights per month shall be unlimited.
Presented by:
Sean Watkins, Planner
Reviewed by:
Matthew Holm, AICP, Planning Supervisor
Attachments:
Case map (1 page)
Opposition Comment (3 pages)
Narrative Report (8 pages)
Site Plan (reduced 8.5 x11, 4 pages)
MCENG comments (1 page)
MCENV comments (1 page)
Luke AFB comments (3 pages)
Arizona State Land Department comments (4 pages)
Arizona Department of Transportation comments (1 page)