The Town of Florence Council approved a zone change for a two-acre property south of Adamsville Road on November 18, 2025. The Florence Arizona rezoning changes the parcel from Single Family Ranchette to Single Family Residential R1-18. This allows smaller lot sizes and potential development of as many as four homes on the property.
Council Votes to Approve Ordinance 775-25
Mayor Keith Eaton and the council held a public hearing on Ordinance 775-25. The measure passed with unanimous support from council members present. The vote followed a 3-1 recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission on November 6.
What the Zone Change Means for Florence Residents
The rezoning affects Assessor Parcel Number 202-10-0030. The property sits south of Adamsville Road and east of the Centennial Park Avenue alignment. The Town of Florence maintains a 20-foot public utility easement bordering the parcel.
The previous R1-R zoning required larger ranch-style lots. The new R1-18 designation allows lots as small as 18,000 square feet. This enables the property owner to potentially subdivide the land into as many as four single-family home parcels, though the final number would depend on future subdivision approvals.
Senior Planner Maricella Benitez noted the rezoning fits the surrounding area. Nearby properties include both ranch lots and R1-18 residential zoning. The change aligns with the Town’s 2022 General Plan.
Property Owner Shares Personal Reasons for Request
Mitch Cluff owns the property with his wife Elizabeth. He purchased the land in 2006. Cluff told the council his wife faces health challenges. The couple has two sons currently in college. The rezoning would allow the family to potentially build separate homes for their sons on divided parcels.
Neighbors Express Concerns About Access and Safety
The council received an opposition letter from Don and Cheryl Kempton. They own property within 300 feet of the rezoning site.
The Kemptons raised several concerns in their November 6 letter. They questioned whether the parcel has legal access rights and whether a 2006 access permission letter to a previous property owner legally transferred to the current owner.
The Kemptons also raised concerns about the proposed access route. They described it as too narrow for multiple homes, approximately 13 feet wide. They expressed safety concerns during bad weather and noted maintenance issues. They also worried about potential impacts to existing utilities in the area.
Planning Process Addresses Development Stages
Senior Planner Benitez clarified that rezoning represents just the first step. Access and utility questions will be addressed during future development phases. The property owner will need to submit detailed development plans before any construction begins.
