Minimal undeveloped private land negates feasibility of County planning effort
Apache Junction & Gold Canyon News
On October 17, Pinal County Supervisor Todd House, County Manager Louis Anderson and State Land Commissioner Lisa Atkins met with approximately 110 Gold Canyon residents at the Gold Canyon United Methodist Church to discuss issues relating to the “Plan Gold Canyon” efforts.
House informed residents that the idea of a plan similar to the San Tan Valley Plan is not feasible, because there is too little private, undeveloped land in the area (only 3% of land in Gold Canyon is privately owned).
State Trust Land, managed by the State Land Department, takes up the bulk of land in the area. They will work with a community, and Commissioner Atkins assured attendees that they do desire a dialogue in the future needs of communities; however, the department is bound by their statutory requirement to maximize the revenue through the sale or lease of the land. Bottom line: they will listen, but they can’t guarantee cooperation with residents’ input.
