“It’s my property and I’ll do what I want on it.”
For the most part it is and you can, that is until it affects your neighbors rights/property value and/or someone’s safety.
The lines that define the rights, value and safety can all be different depending on who is drawing them. That’s where our codes come into play. Some people like them and some hate them.
Codes & ordinances are necessary to try to maintain a safe yet free and non intrusive balance in the home and business lifestyles we strive to enjoy.
The zoning ordinance sets the limits on what you can do on your property without negatively affecting your neighbors property. We try to do this with geographic boundaries, keeping similar lot sizes and home styles within the same zone. All zones are not alike, we try to separate the zones such as industrial (normally those that use loud machinery and equipment) from the home your child is napping in. This is done with buffer zones (less noisy commercial), open space or some sort of physical barrier. The big walls on the interstate highways are an example of the physical barrier. Buffered zoning is easier to accomplish when a community is pre planned.
Taylor is a great place. I decided more than ten years ago that this area was where I was going to retire and I bought property here to do just that. I spent the last 15 years working in Pinal County and the City of Maricopa (good places, just too darn hot) and I was lucky enough to get the job here where I plan to be for the rest of my life. Within my 1st 3 days on the job I discovered (due to citizen complaints) that the zoning and building codes in place need to be looked at. People here were already working on some of them and the 10 year general plan was due in 5 months. We are on our way with the general plan update nearly finished and on time. This rushed plan is not ideal, a major amendment will need to be done during the next year. This amendment will completely overhaul the zoning ordinance that is now in place.
First and foremost this overhaul is not to “change Taylor”, it is more to preserve the Taylor lifestyle. First a blanket zone such as agriculture doesn’t work for those that only have 1 acre or less. Pigs & chickens don’t mix well next to the chapel where your daughter is getting married. The people of Pinal County have a similar life style with the mix of large agriculture, small agriculture, business, industry, mining, residential (including park model communities all the way to multi million dollar custom homes) I have worked with the people and know that they worked hard to achieve a viable zoning ordinance. I will be introducing an adapted version of the ordinance to the people of Taylor to see if it will better serve the town. I think most will find new freedoms in your zones while keeping within realistic limitations and expectations.
Lets work together to live together and preserve our town for our children.
I welcome comments, questions, and problem issues.
Allen Davis