Spring Creek Ranch Annexation Crosses Hurdle

(Source: Red Rock News)

The owners of a proposed master-planned development took the first step required while seeking annexation by the city of Cottonwood.

For more than a year, the proposed Spring Creek Ranch has been on the minds of many in the Verde Valley as it’s come before Yavapai County on several occasions and now the Cottonwood City Council.

On Tuesday, Dec. 15, the council heard the first reading of an ordinance regarding the proposed annexation of land contiguous to the city limits of the city, including U.S. Forest Service land and the 280 acres that make up Spring Creek Ranch.

The agenda item was just a first reading; no vote was taken. A second reading is scheduled for Jan. 19. At that time the zoning for the annexed land will be established. Currently, the city of Cottonwood is looking at general agricultural with a minimum of five-acre lots. The forest land will remain as is and will still be under the jurisdiction of the USFS.

The owners of Spring Creek Ranch first came before Yavapai County seeking a zone change on their 280 acres, which is currently zoned for 140 two-acre parcels. They are seeking to have a planned community with manufactured homes, single-family homes, apartments and an RV park.

In August, they came before the Cottonwood City Council seeking annexation into the city. In September, the Borowskys withdrew their application for a zone change before the Yavapai County Planning and Zoning Commission, with the plan to re-file the application after the first of the year.