Despite assertions by Northern Arizona Healthcare that a citizen group opposed to the development of its planned hospital and wellness village used incomplete and inaccurate information to solicit signatures for a referendum on the project zoning in violation of state law, Coconino County Superior Court Judge Brent Harris ruled last week to allow the referendum to proceed.
After Flagstaff City Council approved the necessary rezoning for the project, opposition group Flagstaff Community First circulated a petition to put the zoning on the ballot for voter approval. The group reportedly secured more than 2,000 more signatures beyond than the required minimum, and the referendum was scheduled.
Arizona case law requires referendums to be removed if the signature collecting petitions contain false or misleading information. NAH had requested the removal because it alleged FCF had referred to the hospital plan as a retail and commercial project, which would have been prohibited under the zoning, and did not mention the hospital, itself, causing confusion among potential petition signers.
NAH has said it intends to appeal the ruling. (Source)