Florence OK's GPA for Sports Complex

By Richard Dyer for Independent Newsmedia 
A massive planned sports-oriented complex north of Florence will be adjacent to the future North-South Corridor connecting U.S. Highway 60 in Apache Junction to Interstate 10 in Eloy. 
The Town Council recently voted to approve amending the 2020 General Plan to change the land-use designation on approximately 357 acres in two parcels from low- and medium-density residential and community commercial to a new category of sports-oriented mixed-use. 
A map with the amendment shows the parcels are at the SEC of Judd and Felix roads, and at the SEC of Felix Road and the extension of Bella Vista Road, and are east of the North-South Corridor. 
No one from the community spoke at the council’s October 5th public hearing about the general plan amendment. 
The change was requested by Grinder Sports Group Inc. of Mesa, with permission of property owner Guardian Angel Holdings LLC. 
Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, field hockey, track and field, and esports are to have facilities at the Grinder Sports Group development, according to presentation documents at the town’s website. 
The general plan amendment request was made during the standard annual process, Florence Interim Community Development Director Larry Harmer told the council. 
Once annexed, the closest comparable town zoning to that in Pinal County will be assigned to the properties. The applicant would pursue rezoning the properties to a classification supported by its new general plan designation, likely planned-unit development, Harmer said. 
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