Casa Grande, AZ – Casa Grande City Council adopted three ordinances on December 15, 2025, completing the Project Saguaro annexation. The adoption finalized the rezoning of 1,308 acres near the Lucid Motors facility for industrial and commercial use. Lucid leases the land from Pinal County with an option to purchase under a 2022 agreement. The council voted 7-0 to approve the items at a December 1 public hearing and 5-0 to adopt them on December 15, when two members were absent.
The previous Pinal Post article covers the full background, including land ownership, the 2022 three-party development agreement, and why housing is prohibited under the I-2 designation.
What the Adoption Means
The city now controls development standards for 1,271 newly annexed acres stretching from Selma Highway to Interstate 8 along Thornton Road. Of the total 1,308 acres rezoned, 1,198 received General Industrial (I-2) zoning and 110 acres at Thornton Road and I-8 received Community Services (B-4) zoning.
Public Comments Show Local Support, Outside Concern
Four people addressed the council at the December 15 meeting. Worker Power, a Phoenix-based nonprofit, again sent a representative to express concerns. The group had also spoken at the December 1 public hearing, when Jordan Greenslade and Margaret Schultz both addressed the council.
Margaret Schultz returned for the December 15 meeting. She questioned why the city would approve zoning before finalizing a development agreement. “Nowhere in the public documents is there an estimation of how much these improvements and expansions will cost,” she stated. She also noted the annexation commits the city to future infrastructure improvements for roads, water, police, and fire coverage. These improvements could represent significant value for Lucid, she said, yet the documents say nothing about how the city would recoup costs.
Seth King, land use attorney for Lucid Motors, asked the council to approve all three items. He said the annexation adds 1,271 acres that should lead to high-paying jobs and an increased tax base. He noted the proposals align with the city’s 2030 general plan and a 2022 development agreement. He also emphasized that no economic incentives are being awarded through these ordinances. Infrastructure costs, he said, will be resolved when specific projects are proposed.
Pablo Correa spoke in support. He is a Casa Grande native who leads a nonprofit doing community engagement in the region. He said working in various industrial roles over the years allowed him to raise his family and advance his career. He acknowledged that both the city and corporations have an obligation to provide community benefits, not just jobs. However, he said large-scale industry coming to small towns is an overall benefit.
Michael Cruz, Lucid’s Senior Policy Manager, also spoke in support. He lives in Casa Grande. He said Lucid has been a good corporate steward, working closely with the council and community. He criticized what he called an “outside political group” attempting a “corporate shakedown.” He emphasized Lucid’s focus on sustainability, including energy and water conservation efforts. “We’re the largest employer in Pinal County,” he said. “We’re growing right now, we’re hiring.”
Council Responds Before Vote
Councilmember Matt Herman addressed form emails the council received. He said he tried to respond to each one, and local residents who replied were generally satisfied after learning about the year-long process.
Mayor Lisa Navarro Fitzgibbons stressed the difference between annexation and future development approval. “We are just talking about annexation right now,” she said. “The development agreement will come later. And so that will be another process where the public can get involved.” She highlighted Lucid’s participation in the city’s childcare roundtable.
Two council members were absent from the December 15 meeting.
For details on zoning conditions, protections for nearby rural residents, Lucid’s purchase option on the land, infrastructure funding, and the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation, see the previous Pinal Post coverage.
