The land holding the historic Lazy K Bar Guest Ranch is slated to become a 178-home subdivision, after the Marana Town Council approved a rezoning by a 4-2 vote Tuesday night.
Mayor Ed Honea, Vice Mayor Jon Post and council members Roxanne Ziegler and David Bowen voted in favor of the plan, which calls for homes in the $400,000 to $600,000 price range to be built. Council members Patti Comerford and Carol McGorray voted no, while Herb Kai was absent.
Most of about 50 members of the public who spoke at the meeting were opposed to the rezoning.
The 138-acre property is a half-mile north of Saguaro National Park West. Critics have cited concerns about encroaching on a major wildlife corridor, among other issues.
The Planning Center, a Tucson design firm, in partnership with developer Greg Wexler, crafted the Lazy K plan on behalf of the property owners.
The council vote rezones the ranch site to allow for a subdivision with four times the density allowed under previous zoning, which would have permitted about 42 homes — one per 3.3 acres — or a 600-unit hotel. The new “specific plan” zoning will allow for about 1.3 homes per acre, with lot sizes ranging from 6,000 to 11,200 square feet.
The plan includes at least 60 percent open space, a hiking trail and preserves the original stone homestead and the existing outdoor fireplace, patio and event lawn as a common area.
Read more about the issue, including the public comments to the town council, in Thursday's Arizona Daily Star, May 18.
