The Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission has postponed a decision on rezoning a 160-acre parcel near Williams for a 150-unit RV resort.
Williams Grand-Canyon News reports a public hearing on the rezoning will now be held on May 25, or just over two months past the original Feb. 23 date that the Commission had set for delving into the issue. The delay comes after the U.S. Forest Service voiced concerns about access, fire risk and other impacts of the plan.
“As a federal agency, we limit our responses to concerns regarding potential impacts to National Forest System (NFS) lands from proposed development on private property,” said Kaibab National Forest South Zone District Ranger Debra Mollet, adding she recently sent a letter to Coconino County Planning addressing several issues tied to the Cooper Ranch Property that neighbors Williams.
Mollet identified four concerns stemming from the project, with fire risk and access chief among them. She also noted the zoning change being considered naturally increases the fire risk adjacent to National Forest lands.
“We request that the county take a close look at fire mitigation measures proposed for the project to confirm that they reduce this risk,” she said.
The Forest Service stated they had received many letters and calls from local residents that are opposed to the project.
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