Summary:
The City of Peoria is initiating a request on behalf of the City of Peoria and the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) for annexation of approximately 173 acres located in the vicinity of the 100th Avenue alignment and Loop 303. More particularly, the area is generally located on both sides of the 100th Avenue alignment, and north and south of Loop 303 (see Exhibits 1-2).
The City of Peoria has maintained a sustained interest in the annexation of key Arizona State Land Departments (ASLD) parcels within the City's Planning Area. The subject area ("Parcel C") is one of several State Land areas that the City has identified as significant in nature given its proximity to existing development or infrastructure limits and/or are located along future strategic economic development corridors, such as the Loop 303.
The annexation of State Land is distinctly different from private land under the Arizona Revised Statutes. More specifically, pursuant to A.R.S. § 9-471.A.1, the annexation of State Land requires the approval of the State Selection Board and the State Land Commissioner. On July 17, 2019, the State Selection Board authorized the annexation of this parcel and other specified parcels into the City of Peoria.
The area is currently vacant, and zoned Rural-43 (RU-43) within unincorporated Maricopa County. The RU-43 zoning district provides for a semi-rural, one-acre lot minimum. Under State Statute, upon annexation, the City must confer initial zoning ("translational zoning") within six (6) months of the effective date of annexation. The City's Suburban Ranch 43 (SR-43) Zoning District is the most consistent with the current County zoning. The initial zoning will be processed concurrently with the annexation request.
The City of Peoria, in coordination with the Arizona State Land Department, has begun evaluating a broader rezoning case within the City. This broader case is referred to as Peoria Innovation Core or PIC. The proposed PIC rezoning effort would include the subject 173-acre annexation area as a part of the larger approximately 6,700-acre PIC entitlement. The PIC Planned Community District (PCD) rezone case will follow the public process enumerated in City Code, which includes community outreach events and public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
Annexation Information
The subject property is more specifically depicted in the legal description (Exhibit 1) and map attached to this report (Exhibit 2). The property is contiguous to the City’s jurisdictional boundaries, lies within the City’s Planning Area (General Plan), and is in conformance with the adopted annexation policy.
The annexation process pursuant to A.R.S. §9-471 is briefly described below:
(a) Filing of blank petition with County Recorder by the City opens up a thirty (30) day waiting period to discuss the proposal – COMPLETED
(b) The City must then hold a public hearing (no action) to discuss the proposal within the waiting period – CITY COUNCIL (6/17/25)
(c) At the conclusion of the 30-day waiting period, the municipality has up to 1-year to collect signatures satisfying the annexation “test.” – NOT COMPLETED
(d) The City holds a final public hearing to consider and take action on the annexation request – ANTICIPATED TO BE August 5, 2025.
(e) The annexation is effective 30 days upon adoption of the ordinance.
Under state statute, a successful annexation requires the completion of a petition with (a) signatures of owners of one-half or more in value of the real and personal property; and (b) more than one-half of the persons owning real and personal property that would be subject to taxation by the City in the event of annexation.