September 28, 2007

FLORENCE - The Pinal County Board of Supervisors unanimously has granted a petition by Global Water to expand its water and wastewater utility franchises to a large area west of Casa Grande and south and west of Maricopa.

The new boundaries of both the Santa Cruz Water Company and Palo Verde Utilities Company (wastewater) extend from the Gila River Indian Community on the north to south of Arizona 84, with a large portion extending beyond Interstate 8 to within two miles of the Tohono O'odham Nation. The western boundary runs along the Maricopa and Pinal county line, about 4.5 miles from the northwest portion of the city of Maricopa, and takes in all of Hidden Valley.

The irregularly shaped eastern boundary runs along the eastern edge of the city of Maricopa and then steps further east to extend beyond the western portions of Casa Grande and then continuing south to beyond Interstate 8.

Other requests approved by the supervisors on Sept. 19 include:

* An amendment to the 143-acre Ocotillo and Vineyard planned-area development east of Queen Creek.

* An amendment to a 6-acre Links Estates subdivision in east Queen Creek.

* An amendment to a 15-acre Links Estates subdivision in east Queen Creek.

* A resolution accepting from Queen Creek XVII a 25-foot right of way for Gantzel and Ocotillo roads in the Queen Creek area.

* A resolution accepting from Prime A Investments LLC a 25-foot right of way for Gantzel and Ocotillo roads in the Queen Creek area.

* A zone change and PAD overlay district amendment by Johnson Ranch Holdings LLC on a 43-acre parcel southeast of Queen Creek.

* A zone change and PAD overlay district by H2T2 LLC on a 5-acre parcel to develop a medical office facility east of Queen Creek.

* An amendment to a PAD overlay district by Norton Karno and Kokomo Mall LLC on a 22-acre parcel to establish specific wall standards for Superstition Views at Canyon Vistas Manufactured Home Park east of Apache Junction.

* A non-major comprehensive plan amendment by Mission Property Developers from development sensitive with low-density overlay to rural on a 20-acre parcel southeast of Queen Creek.

* Creation of the Willow Springs Utility Company water and wastewater utility companies north of Oracle Junction.

Meeting as the Pinal County Public Health Services District board, the supervisors approved an agreement with the Arizona Board of Regents for Arizona State University and its college of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation for Nursing Education. The supervisors also approved a fiscal-year 2007-08 direct grant with the Arizona Department of Health Services for local health work. The contract has optional renewal periods.

Meeting as the Pinal County Library District board, the supervisors approved the transfer of funds not to exceed $1,000 to cover a negative balance left from fiscal year 2006-07. The board also approved an application for atate grants for fiscal year 2007-08. The term of the grant will coincide with the supervisors' approval. The total grant amount is to be $23,000.

©Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. 2007