This article continues coverage from the September public hearing on the Skyview Farms annexation and follows the Planning and Zoning Commission’s October 2 recommendation to approve a major amendment to the Skyview Farms PUD.
The Florence Town Council voted unanimously on October 7 to adopt Ordinance 771-25, officially annexing approximately 200 acres of undeveloped land into town limits. The property will be incorporated into the existing Skyview Farms community through a major Planned Unit Development amendment.
The vote came five days after the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Skyview Farms PUD amendment, which would expand the undeveloped master-planned community to 2,465 acres with 9,975 residential units. The commission made approval of the PUD amendment contingent on the council’s approval of this 200-acre annexation.
The Vote
Councilmember Jose Maldonado made the motion to approve the ordinance, with Councilmember Nicole Buccellato providing the second. The council passed the measure without opposition.
The annexation will become effective November 7, 2025, 30 days after adoption.
What Gets Annexed
The annexed property lies south of Heritage Road and east of the Yeager Road alignment.
The Carrie Thompson Trust, also known as the Esperanza Charitable Fund, owns the entire 200.0933-acre site. LeSueur Investments serves as developer, with Colliers Engineering handling planning and entitlement work.
The property currently holds General Rural zoning under Pinal County jurisdiction, allowing one dwelling unit per 1.25 acres. Upon annexation, the town will assign Single Residential Ranchette (R1-R) zoning, maintaining the same density standard.
Development Plans
The property owner plans to incorporate the annexed land into the existing Skyview Farms Planned Unit Development through a major amendment. Skyview Farms received PUD approval in 2006 but remains undeveloped.
The developer intends to build single-family detached homes and parks throughout the property, according to the application materials. Senior Planner Maricella Benitez noted that the Florence General Plan designates this area as Suburban Neighborhood Place Type, supporting low to moderate-density single-family housing and limited neighborhood-scale commercial uses.
The developer will access the property through the street circulation network proposed in the Skyview Farms PUD Amendment. Cooper Road, planned as a Principal Arterial, will provide access on the western boundary (the Yeager Road alignment).
EPCOR will provide water and wastewater service upon development approval. APS will supply power, while Cox Communications and Century Link are listed as potential telecommunications providers.
Upcoming Work Session
Mayor Keith Eaton noted that the council will address annexation procedures at an upcoming work session.
“We will be addressing annexations, how annexations are done,” Eaton said. “Anybody that would like to attend that, they are obviously open to the public, and have any questions and we’re hoping that it clears up a lot of questions that we have as well.”
What Comes Next
The property owner has submitted a major Planned Unit Development amendment to incorporate the newly annexed land into Skyview Farms. That application currently remains under town review and awaits Town Council consideration.
With the annexation ordinance now adopted, the measure fulfills one of the key conditions required for the Planned Unit Development amendment. The expanded Skyview Farms would add mixed-use commercial zones, realign Cooper Road as a three-lane arterial in each direction, and create 25 miles of trails and 80 acres of parks across the 2,465-acre master-planned community.
The annexation adds significant residential capacity to Florence’s Heritage Road corridor. Upon development, the town will extend municipal services to the property including police, fire, and sanitation. The development may also include a public library.
