PHOENIX — The state House gave preliminary approval Thursday to legislation that would prevent some small towns from vetoing larger towns springing up on their borders.
HB 2088, in essence, says that if the proposed community is larger than the existing town, that town can’t stop its incorporation.
The measure is specifically aimed at allowing incorporation of San Tan Valley in northeast Pinal County. Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, said the unincorporated area now has more than 100,000 people living there.
Under normal circumstances, that’s more than enough to incorporate.
But Arizona gives existing cities of up to 5,000 a “planning area” three miles beyond their boundaries. Cities can veto any new incorporations in that area.
For larger cities, that planning area goes out six miles.
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The plans for an incorporated San Tan Valley extend within six miles of Florence. And that town of 26,000 has refused to give the go-ahead for the incorporation.
HB 2088 spells out that if the would-be new town has at least 15,000 residents, an existing community with a smaller population would lose its veto rights.
“It’s very clear people want local control,” said Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro Valley. “I think it’s unconscionable that 100,000-plus people can be controlled by 6,000 people,” he said, referring to the portion of Florence’s population that is not in the state prison.
But Rep. Randall Friese, D-Tucson, pointed out that backers of the new town are free to draw proposed boundaries that do not come within six miles of Florence.
Farnsworth dismissed that option, saying a smaller area would be “ineffective.”
Thursday’s 32-24 vote still requires a final roll-call House vote before the measure goes to the Senate.
