San Tan Valley Forms Interim Planning Advisory Committee to Review Development Cases

SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ – The San Tan Valley Town Council established a new planning advisory committee on Wednesday to review development decisions before the town takes over planning authority on July 1, 2026. The seven-member Interim Planning Advisory Committee, or IPAC, will review zoning and entitlement cases currently processed by Pinal County and send recommendations to the council. Under Arizona law, the county continues handling planning and zoning for newly incorporated towns until that deadline.

How the Committee Will Shape Local Development

IPAC will evaluate proposals within town limits and forward a recommendation — approval, denial, or approval with conditions — to the full council. The council will then determine the town’s formal position and submit it to the county.

The county is not required to follow those recommendations. However, town staff expects them to carry weight.

Seven Residents Appointed to Serve

The council appointed seven residents to the committee, one nominated by each council member. The appointed members are:

• Paul Bond, nominated by Council Member Daniel Oakes
• Donna Hallman, nominated by Council Member Brian Tyler
• Kennedy Terrill, nominated by Council Member Rupert Wolfert
• Karen Mooney, nominated by Mayor Daren Schnepf
• Adrien Litton, nominated by Vice-Mayor Tyler Hudgins
• Kenneth Battey, nominated by Council Member Gia Jenkins
• Candice Steelman, nominated by Council Member Bryan Hunt

Staff confirmed that all nominees reside within town limits.

Council Liaison and Resolution

Council Member Brian Tyler was also appointed to serve as the council’s liaison to IPAC. In that role, he will attend committee meetings and report back to the full council. However, the liaison does not have voting authority on the committee, according to attorney Allen Quist.

The council adopted Resolution No. 2026-05 to formally create IPAC and establish its governing rules. Council Member Wolfert made the motion, and Vice-Mayor Hudgins seconded it. The vote passed unanimously.

IPAC Terms and Timeline

Town Manager Brent Billingsley said the town is “going to get seven people really involved here quickly.” All committee terms expire when the town assumes full planning and zoning authority on July 1.