Development code update approved

After about 18 months of work, Buckeye has fully updated its development code to comply with state and federal law, align with modern industry standards and ensure consistency across city regulations.

“We see that this development code amendment is going to have a lot of benefits,” said Principal Planner Mandy Woods. “We’re hoping for very improved customer service all around, a lot of modernized requirements, improved and clarified procedural language for all parties, staff and the development community, and then ultimately that will continue to result in more attractive and high quality projects for the city.”

City Council approved the Phase 2 updates Oct. 21. They take effect Nov. 20. The first phase was adopted Feb. 20, 2024, and took effect in March, streamlining entitlements, reorganizing code sections and modernizing zoning district names. The code will now be evaluated annually for potential amendments.

Key Phase 2 changes

• Article 1: Added provisions to assist developers transitioning under new rules; moved Planned Area Development (PAD) language; clarified nonconformities.

• Article 2: Updated zoning tables; moved Downtown Overlay District details; removed outdated district names and terms.

• Article 3: Updated use tables and standards for middle housing, accessory units, car washes, energy storage, wireless facilities and marijuana uses; incorporated HB2720 and new backyard fowl rules.

• Article 4: Added agricultural district; revised dimensional standards; removed lot coverage rules for rural areas.

• Article 5: Updated design standards for homes, multifamily projects and large retail; expanded landscaping, lighting and signage standards; added digital billboard guidance for State Route 30.

• Article 6–8: Modernized subdivision standards, review procedures and approval processes; added design-review criteria.

• Article 9–10: Made stylistic and definitional updates; added a section for sign definitions.

• Appendices: Revised obsolete district uses and added new residential provisions for downtown.

The updates were made with consultation from Logan Simpson. A Community Advisory Committee consisting of development partners, private firms, attorneys and other "interested parties" advised on the process. One public speaker supported the changes at the Sept. 23 Planning and Zoning Commission hearing, and one letter of support was received from Apex Clean Energy. Two additional letters of support were received, however, were not included in the final packet due to being submitted after deadline. Woods said there were "hundreds" of emails exchanged between the CAC and members of the public in addition to phone conversations and virtual meetings.

“You guys are taking that input back and processing it for all the stakeholders in this,” said Mayor Eric Orsborn. “So, not only trying to protect the city and future growth that’s happening, but also making sure that the investments that are being made by either developers or homebuilders or retail or industrial, whatever use it is, that those investments are being protected also.”

During the public hearing portion of this week's city council meeting, Senior Planner Kurt A. Jones with Tiffany & Bosco P.A. spoke on behalf developer Howard Hughes Communities in support of the amendments: "It’s been a long process. We basically were sent each one of those articles that Mandy went through, given a timeline to provide comments. She ended up setting up Zoom meetings with us and going through each one of those sections. It was a heavy lift for them. We appreciate all the input we were given for that.”

Steve Rugh, a member of the White Tanks Conservancy and a member of the CAC team also provided public comment: "Speaking for myself, I approve the work that was done with us on this development code update, and I really thank Mandy Woods for working with the conservancy on this."

“Thank you for having a highly collaborative process,” said District 6 Councilmember Clay Goodman. “I think that the two speakers that came forward are testaments to that seeking input and then taking that input seriously and incorporating it where it made sense. … And thank you to our community members for participating in this. Very well done.”

Review city documents and additional information about the amendments HERE.