Luke AFB Review

City of El Mirage — Regular Meeting (2025-09-09)

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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 
AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           10 June 2025 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                          
  
Mr. Mark C. James                                                                                         
Interim Director, Community Initiatives Team 
56th Fighter Wing 
14185 West Falcon Street 
Luke AFB AZ 85309-1629 
 
 
Mr. Jose Macias 
Planner, Community Development 
10000 N. El Mirage Road,  
El Mirage, AZ 85335 
 
Re: PP250002; The Lakes El Mirage (APN: 501-85-936A thru 501-85-871A & 901-85-931E)  
        
Dear Mr. Macias  
 
 
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Preliminary Plat for the Lakes 
El Mirage development.  The site sits on approximately 10.3 acres of vacant land located within 
the Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort Master Planned Community in El Mirage, AZ.  This application 
requests approval to develop 52 residential lots.  The site sits inside the Luke AFB 1988 JLUS 70 
Ldn “high noise or accident potential zone” as identified by A.R.S. §28-8461 and is within the 
“territory in the vicinity of a military airport” also defined by A.R.S. §28-8461. 
 
 
Arizona Revised Statute prohibits new residential development inside the noise contours 
and our determination of what uses will have an impact on our training mission is consistent with 
the land use compatibility determination within the “high noise or accident potential zone of a 
military airport or ancillary military field” table found in A.R.S. §28-8481.  Luke AFB does 
however recognize that exemptions exist for residential developments that were grandfathered 
pursuant to the provisions of A.R.S. §28-8461.  More specifically, subdivisions that had 
approved final plats prior to July 1, 2001, would fall under “grandfathered” status. 
 
The City of El Mirage has determined the Pueblo El Mirage development has been 
approved for 1,553 lots (see attached letter) prior to July 1, 2001, and therefore grandfathered; 
however, this does not mitigate the high noise exposure for the residents. 
 
Since the site will be located within the “territory in the vicinity of a military airport,” it 
will be subjected to approximately 165 over flights a day.  If this development is approved, we 
recommend you review the sound attenuation requirements found in A.R.S. § 28-8482 which 
would require sound attenuation efforts to be incorporated into the design and construction of the 
buildings.  In addition, a strong notification program on the part of the applicant would be 
essential to inform potential residents about Luke AFB operations.

If there are any questions, please contact me at (623) 856-6175. 
 
 
  
 
 
      Sincerely 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
      MARK C. JAMES 
 
Attachment: 
Luke AFB Letter dated 23 April 2008 
 
cc: 
Colonel John Ryan, Deputy Commander, 56th Fighter Wing 
Ms. Demetria Themistocles, General Law Attorney, 56th Fighter Wing