Casa Grande City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
66 CITIZEN REVIEW PROCESS
17.66.010 Purpose and intent.
A. The purpose of including public input in the planning and development review process is to identify any potential adverse impacts of proposed development upon surrounding areas. This input is useful in helping identify the steps that can be taken to mitigate any identified adverse impacts. Public input is also an important element in achieving the desired community character and gaining the public's understanding and support of the community planning and development efforts.
B. The following processes are used, as appropriate, to facilitate public input:
1. Community-wide meetings.
2. Neighborhood meetings.
3. Mailed notices to owners of surrounding properties.
4. City website posting.
5. Site posting.
6. Newspaper notices.
7. Social media.
8. E-mail.
(Ord. 3477 § 1, 2025)
17.66.020 Public hearing.
Applications that require public hearings before the Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, or City Council shall provide the following public notice:
A. Pre-application notification.
1. A pre-application notice shall be provided prior to formal submission of an application requiring a public hearing. Public input at the pre-application stage will include:
a. Neighborhood meeting as deemed necessary by the Director.
b. Mailed notice.
i. Notification will be sent, at a minimum, to the owners of all properties located within 300 feet of the proposed development site. The Director may increase the notification distance when deemed necessary due to other site-specific circumstances.
ii. Notification shall include information regarding the proposed application, contact information for the applicant who can be contacted for questions regarding the application or to express any issues or concerns prior to formal application submittal, and the time and location of the neighborhood meeting if required.
2. Public hearing notification.
a. A mailed notice shall be required, which provides:
i. Information regarding the application under consideration.
ii. Contact information for the city staff member who can be contacted for questions regarding the application or to express any issues or concerns prior to the scheduled Board or Commission hearing.
iii. The date, time, and location of the public hearing.
b. Said notice shall be mailed a minimum of 15 days prior to the public hearing. Notification will be sent, at a minimum, to the owners of all properties located within 300 feet of the proposed development site. Where the property subject to the application is adjacent to the boundaries of other municipalities or the unincorporated area of the county, notifications shall be sent to their respective planning agencies. The Director may increase the notification distance when deemed necessary due to other site-specific circumstances.
3. Site posting.
a. In conjunction with all rezoning applications, a sign shall be posted on the affected property at least 15 days prior to the Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council public hearings. The sign shall be printed so that the following are visible from one hundred feet from the public right-of-way: the word "zoning," the present zoning district classification, the proposed zoning district classification, and the date and time of the public hearing. The sign shall be a minimum of 4 feet by 8 feet.
b. For other land use applications that require a public hearing, a sign providing information regarding the application under consideration, as well as the date, time, and location of the hearing, shall be required to be posted on the site. The sign shall be posted on the site a minimum of 15 days prior to the Board or Commission meeting. The sign shall be a minimum of 4 feet by 4 feet and located in a manner that is visible from the adjacent public right-of-way. The size, number, and location of the sign(s) shall be determined by the Director based upon the location and size of the subject property.
4. Newspaper/website notice. A notice providing information regarding the application under consideration, as well as the date, time, and location of the public hearing, shall be published in a local newspaper of general circulation and on the official city website at least 15 days prior to the hearing.
(Ord. 3477 § 1, 2025)
17.66.030 Administrative review.
A. To inform surrounding property owners, a notice of application submittal shall be issued during administrative review when any of the following applications are under city consideration:
1. Neighborhood/corridor/area plan.
2. Site plan.
3. Major modification of an approved site plan.
4. Preliminary plat.
5. Final plat.
6. Plat amendments.
B. The Director may also require notice for other development applications, as deemed necessary.
C. When required, notice shall be sent to property owners within a radius of at least 300 feet of the proposed site. The Director may expand this radius based on potential adverse impacts or site-specific conditions. The notice shall describe the request and provide instructions for submitting public comments to city staff. Notification may be by mailed notice, neighborhood meeting, or both, at the Director's discretion.
(Ord. 3477 § 1, 2025)
17.66.040 Zoning code text amendments.
A. Zoning code amendments that propose any of the following changes to development standards shall follow a higher standard of public notice as set forth below:
1. A ten percent or more increase, or decrease, in the number of square feet or units that may be developed on a property.
2. A ten percent or more increase or reduction in the allowable height of buildings.
3. An increase or reduction in the allowable number of stories of buildings.
4. A ten percent or more increase or decrease in setback or open space requirements.
5. An increase or reduction in permitted uses.
B. Zoning code amendments that involve any of these changes shall include public notice pursuant to one of the following notification procedures:
1. Notice shall be sent by first-class mail to each real property owner, as reflected in the County Assessor's records, whose real property is directly governed by the changes.
2. Notice shall be included in the mailed city utility bills.
3. A "display ad" covering not less than one-eighth of a full page shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation, a minimum of 15 days prior to the date of the first planning commission public hearing on the proposed zoning code text amendment. The "display ad" shall set forth a summary of the proposed code amendments.
4. Notice provided pursuant to subsections B.2 or B.3 shall also be sent, by first class mail, to persons who register their names and addresses with director as being interested in receiving such notice.
(Ord. 3477 § 1, 2025)
17.66.050 Failure to receive notice.
The failure of any person or entity to actually receive any notice required by this chapter shall not constitute grounds for any court to invalidate the action for which notice was given or required.
(Ord. 3477 § 1, 2025)