By Pinal Post
San Tan Valley incorporated as a town in 2025, but Pinal County still processes its planning and zoning cases. Under Arizona law, the county continues providing planning and zoning services to newly incorporated towns until July 1, 2026. The San Tan Valley Town Council wants to influence those county decisions during this transition period.
On January 21, 2026, the council directed staff to develop a process for reviewing county zoning cases and submitting recommendations. Council members directed staff to prepare a resolution creating a seven-member Interim Planning Advisory Committee to evaluate land use applications. The county would not be required to follow the town’s recommendations. However, staff expects them to carry weight.
Local Control Drove The Discussion
Residents expressed strong interest in local control over development during the incorporation process. That sentiment drove the council’s discussion.
“There was a lot of public sentiment about increasing local control over development, and managing land use impacts, zoning, the general plan going into the future,” said Town Attorney Allen Quist.
