The Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission is splitting votes like a blackjack player splits aces this month.

Commissioners Monday night voted on three agenda items but only one was unanimous, a rare move in the city’s government but one that has happened twice consecutively. The first item saw a failed vote and a 20-minute executive session before the commissioners reached consensus. 

Sitting a mile south of Sorrento, phase one of The Sanctuary, the master-planned community at Hartman Road and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, will bring 339 single-family homes across 83 acres. 

Phoenix-based CVL Consultants initially requested a preliminary plat approval during the board’s June 9 meeting, but it was continued due to unresolved concerns over a single planned access road to the development. Commissioners wondered if the developers’ all-weather emergency access road would be enough.  

Before the discussion continued last night, the initial vote failed with Commissioners Robert Brems, Ted Yocum and Robert Klob voting against. 

Klob, a critical thinker on the board, noted that neighborhoods such as Santa Rosa Springs have experienced repeat issues like trains frequently blocking the north access. 

“Yes, it’s only 339 homes, but there’s no way around” the intersection of Hartman and MCG, Klob said. He suggested a second access point so it “wouldn’t landlock these people should … something happen in that one intersection.” 

Yocum agreed, saying, “There’s got to be a better way.” 

The commissioners went into executive session following the failed vote. Ultimately, they approved the item unanimously. 

However, the access-road issue wasn’t put to bed. Commission Chair James Singleton asked staff to “look into what other cities do in regards to secondary access.”  

Hartman Ranch revived 

The planning and zoning commission also discussed Monday and voted on Hartman Ranch, a 193-acre development proposed for the southeast corner of Anderson and Steen Roads. The site is 2 miles east of The Sanctuary.  

A request to redesignate 9 acres from commercial to master-planned community — to “modernize” the original 2006 plans — passed unanimously. Still, Commissioner Bill Robertson expressed concern about losing commercial land in the area.

Phoenix developer TerraWest Communities also requested to rezone the acreage from county to city jurisdiction. The 9 acres in the southwest corner of Hartman Ranch were not originally zoned for commercial use. 

A member of the Hartman family said they “had concerns about what is being proposed” and requested a continuance so the family and landowner Scott Cole could “come to an amicable agreement.” 

The Hartmans own land surrounding the 193-acre parcel. 

The commission voted to pause on a decision until September unless “both parties are ready to address the issue” with city staff and the zoning board sooner.