By MARK COWLING
 Oct 29, 2025 Updated Oct 29, 2025

FLORENCE – The Town Council approved a major Planned Unit Development amendment to enlarge Farms, a future master-planned community of 7,292 homes in the northern town limits.

The future development is near the southeast corner of Cooper and Magma roads. Although the PUD was first approved in 2006 with approximately 1,860 gross acres, the land is still being used for agriculture. The amended PUD will total approximately 2,465 acres, according to a town staff report.

The proposed LeSueur Investments development will include low-, medium- and high-density housing, parks, possible school sites and commercial uses near Arizona Farms Road.

The council’s action on Oct. 21 adds to Skyview Farms by bringing in the remainder of the Aspen Farms PUD, which is 400 or so acres east of the Central Arizona Project canal and another 200 acres directly south of the Heritage Road alignment. The council approved annexation of the latter parcel into town on Oct. 7.

Tyler LeSueur told the council his family bought the land in 2004 and have farmed continuously since then. Adding this new acreage “really allows us to create a very significant and well-thought-through master-planned community.” Circulation is improved, along with a trail system that will connect to the canal and other planned trail networks, LeSueur said.

“We’re excited to be part of Florence. We’ve been here for many years quietly farming and been involved in the community,” including Pinal Partnership, the Magma Flood Control District and others, LeSueur said.

The amended land use plan proposes a looped circulation system to create a core area of medium- and high-density residential and commercial uses close to arterial and collector streets. The PUD will also reserve two school sites, two recreation centers and approximately 80 acres of parks, according to town staff.

Landscape rock business

In other business, the council approved a minor General Plan amendment to allow MDI Rock, a retail landscape supply and rock processing business, on 10 acres at 7309 W. Arizona Farms Road, on the southeast corner of Arizona Farms and Attaway roads.

Among other products, decomposed granite will be processed, separated and stored in large piles. The business will not sell plants or trees.

Daniel Dobson of Gilbert, who owns adjacent land, told the council he agrees this area is right for many industrial and commercial uses, but the current proposal sounds more like heavy industry.

“Decomposed granite is in nature very fine. Silica dust, if inhaled, is very toxic for your lungs and your overall health. It is every bit as bad as asbestos if not worse,” Dobson said. He continued he would like to know more about a concrete and paver crusher, its noise and dust and where it will be located on the property.

Plans should also include a traffic study describing heavy truck movement and needed road improvements, Dobson said.

He noted nearby land is now being planned for the Dobson Farms East and West tech campus. “The town’s recent rezoning cases have been positive steps toward creating a desirable tech hub. … I have some major concerns about the compatibility of this proposed use in and around this tech corridor,” Dobson said.

Mayor Keith Eaton commented that the council’s action on Oct. 21 is a preliminary step, and there are further steps “where we have input as the town and council coming after this. We will obviously take anything that we’ve heard into consideration.”