North Gila
Planning Area
Background Study

Prepared By: Andrew Fangman
Long Range Planning Section
1 Department of Development Services
Yuma County

Yuma County
Board of Supervisors
Lenore Loroña Stuart
Russell McCloud, Vice-Chairman
Casey Prochaska
Marco (Tony) Reyes
Greg Ferguson, Chairman

District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5

Yuma County
Planning & Zoning Commission
Kenneth Beecher
Fred Covarrubias
Paul White, Chairman
Max Bardo
Joe Melchionne, Chairman

District 1
District 1
District 2
District 2
District 3

Wayne Briggs
Victor Lozano
Gary Black, Vice-Chairman
Marie Barnett
John McKinley

District 3
District 4
District 4
District 5
District 5

Yuma County Department of Development Services
Long Range Planning Section
Monty Stansbury, AICP, Director, Department of Development Services
Paul Melcher, Planning Director
Andrew Fangman, Planner III
Juan Leal-Rubio, Planner II
Fernando Villegas, Planner II
Angelica Gomez, Office Specialist II

Yuma County Department of Development Services
Planning & Zoning Division
Long Range Planning Section
2351 W. 26th Street
Yuma, AZ 85364

Prepared by: Andrew Fangman, Planner III

2

Table of Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 4
Location Map ............................................................................................................................. 6
Irrigation Districts...................................................................................................................... 8
Vegetation .................................................................................................................................. 9
Soil ............................................................................................................................................ 12
Mittry Lake State Wildlife Area ................................................................................................ 13
Yuma Proving Ground............................................................................................................... 14
Population by Census Block ...................................................................................................... 15
Race and Ethnicity ..................................................................................................................... 16
Age Cohorts by Percentage of Population ................................................................................. 17
Housing Statistics....................................................................................................................... 18
Land Ownership......................................................................................................................... 19
Land Use Designation Map ....................................................................................................... 21
Changes to Land Use Designations ........................................................................................... 22
Zoning Map................................................................................................................................ 24
Rezonings................................................................................................................................... 26
Building Permits ........................................................................................................................ 27
Summary .................................................................................................................................... 29

3

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Executive Summary
In December of 2001, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Yuma County 2010
Comprehensive Plan (Plan). The Plan is intended to accomplish coordinated and harmonious
development in the unincorporated areas of Yuma County. In order to accomplish the goals
and objectives of the plan the County was divided into a number of regional planning areas.
The North Gila Planning Area is bounded on the east by the Gila Mountains and Yuma Proving
Ground, the California-Arizona boundary marks the western edge of the Planning Area, County
7th Street forms most of the southern boundary of the Planning Area, and the Yuma Proving
Ground forms the northern boundary. The North Gila Planning Area covers a total area of 60.5
square miles (38,715 acres). The North Gila Planning Area is a rural area that is predominately
used for agricultural purposes, with nonagricultural land being mountainous or riparian areas
owned by various government entities.
The total population of the North Gila Planning Area is 903. The North Gila Planning Area has
a low population density of approximately 15 persons per square mile. However 75% of the
planning area population lives in quarter mile area bound by Canyon Road, Avenue 9E, County
6th Street and Buckshot Road.
When compared to Yuma County and the State of Arizona as a whole, the North Gila Planning
Area has a much different age profile. A larger proportion of planning area residents are in the
10 to 15, 45 to 49, and 60 to 64 age cohorts than in the County and the State as a whole, as
illustrated in Figure 30 on page 16.
Since the Plan was adopted in 2001, development trends in this part of the County have
identified a need to update the Plan to better reflect the goals and needs of the area. The first
step in this process is the preparation of the North Gila Planning Area Background Study,
which details current conditions of the planning area and how the area has changed in the past
seven years.
Land designated as Agriculture/Rural Residential makes up 47.8% of the Planning Area. This
represents mostly the portion of the Planning Area that is irrigated and actively farmed. Land
with an Open Space and Recreational Resources designation make up 40.8% of the Planning
Area. Almost all of this is mountainous land in the Laguna and Gila Mountain ranges owned
by the federal government.
Since 2002 there have only been four amendments to the Comprehensive Plan that changed
land use designation in the North Gila Planning Area. Three of the amendments were on land
previously designated as Agriculture/Rural Residential; however, none of this land was being
used for active agriculture purposes. Three of the amendments were to residential classification
with a very low density. The general trend for the area for development is very low density
residential development to slowly occur on non-farmable land that is in close proximity to
irrigated farmland.

Figure 1: Gila Gravity Main Canal
4

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Executive Summary
In the North Gila Planning Area 96.7%, of the land is zoned Rural Area - 20 acre minimum
parcels (RA-20). Land with this zoning classification is either privately-owned irrigated
farmland, or government-owned vacant desert or mountains. There are 271 acres with
residential zoning applications, totaling .07% of the Planning Area. Since 2000, the Board of
Supervisors approved seven rezoning in the North Gila Planning Area. Five of these rezonings
occurred in the area bounded by Canyon Rd, Avenue 9E, County 6th Street and Buckshot Road.
All but one of these rezonings were to a residential zoning district, most commonly to Suburban
Ranch - 1 acre minimum parcels (SR-1), and all but one were rezoned from Rural Area - 20
acre minimum parcel
(RA-20).
Between January 1, 2000, and August 31, 2007, twenty housing units were constructed or
placed in the Planning Area. Of these, 80% were manufactured homes, 15% were single
family site built homes, and 5% were mobile homes. Mobile homes are defined as structures
built on or prior to June 15, 1976, on a permanent chassis, but do not include recreational
vehicles and factory built buildings.
Nearly all building/placement permits were in two concentrated areas, one bounded by Canyon
Rd, Avenue 9E, County 6th Street and Buckshot Rd and in the vicinity of County 3rd Street and
Gila Gravity Main Canal. No housing units have been added to the planning area since year
end of 2006

Figure 2: Agriculture in the North Gila Planning Area
5

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Location

Figure 3: North Gila Planning Area Topography

6

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Location

Figure 4: North Gila Planning Area Aerial View

7

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Irrigation Districts
The North Gila Planning Area contains parts of two irrigation districts. 6,365 acres are within
the North Gila Irrigation District and 1,915 acres are within the Yuma Irrigation District. A total of 8,280 acres within irrigation districts, and nearly 100% of the land is being used for active
agriculture production.
Water for irrigation is diverted from the Colorado River at Imperial Dam, which is located on
the northwestern edge of the Planning area, and delivered through the facilities of the Gila
Project. Farmland within the North Gila Planning Area tends to be of the highest quality found
in Yuma County, all of it located off the mesa in the fertile river bottoms. Some of the more
common crops that are grown in the planning area include: lettuce, cotton, melons, wheat, safflower, and many others.

Figure 5: Irrigation Districts
8

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Vegetation

Figure 6: Vegetation Type

9

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Vegetation

Sonornan Riparian/Mixed Riparian Scrub:
Confined to places with abundant moisture
which may not be associated with obvious
riparian features. Closed or nearly closed
stands of microphyll and nanophyll deciduous
shrubs. Herbs, if present, are patchy and scattered. Shrub height is 1.2–2.1 m with scattered plants to 3.7 m. Total vegetation cover is 50–100%.1

Figure 7: Son. Riparian/Leguminous Short-Tree Forest/Scrub

Sonoran Reed Cattail Marsh: Generally
closed single-layer stands of tall perennial
graminoids, bearing rhizomes or fibrous roots.
Emergent communities may be more open
than those in shallow water or around seeps.
Drier habitats may have a lower layer of
graminoid plants. Vegetation is 0.9–5 m in
height. Total cover is 30–100%.1

Figure 8: Sonoran Reed Cattail Marsh

Sonoran Creosotebush-Bursage Scrub: Develops on level to gently sloping soils of generally silty or sandy texture. This vegetation
lies in large patches crossed by desert washes
and floodplains. Very open evenly spaced
low diversity stands of shrubs 0.3–0.9-m tall,
containing a few scattered trees and cactus
species. Perennial cover is usually 10–20%,
but in wet years annual plants may
provide 100% cover.1
Figure 9: Sonoran Creosotebush-Bursage Sage

Playa: A flat gravely area with minimal
vegetation.1

Figure 10: Playa
10
1

Description of Arizona Vegetation Represented on the GAP Vegetation Map, By: Peter S. Bennett, Michael R. Kunzmann, & Lee A.
Graham. Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Vegetation

Sonoran Creosotebush-Bursage-PaloverdeMixed Cacti (wash): Develops on rock piles
and middle and upper bajadas where soils are
well-drained and of a cobbley, gravelly texture. A diverse mixture of evergreen and
deciduous trees, shrubs, and cacti with cover
from 15 to 45 percent. The height of the trees
range from 3 to 6 m, the cacti from
15 cm to 9 m, the shrubs 0.6 to 2 m,
and the half-shrubs 0.2 to 0.6 m.2

Figure 11: Son. Creosote-Bursage-Paloverde Cacti (wash)

Sonoran Creosotebush-Mesquite Scrub: This
vegetation is found on valley fill. The soils are
erosion prone and silty. Such erosion has left
the shrubs perched on low soil mounds. Shrub
communities with perennial vegetation cover of
15–30%. Ephemeral herb cover may approach
100% in wet years. Shrub height, 0.2–1.5 m.2

Figure 12:Sonoran Saltbush-Creosore Bursage Scrub

Sonran Paloverde Mixed Cacti-Sonoran
Creosote Bursage: A diverse mixture of evergreen and deciduous leguminous trees, shrubs,
and cacti with cover from 15 to 45 percent. The
height of the trees ranges from 3 to 6 m, the
cacti from 15 cm to 9 m, the shrubs 0.6 to 2 m,
and the half shrubs 0.2 to 0.6 m.2

Figure 13:Son. P.V. Cacti- Creosote Bursage

Sonornan Riparian/Leguminous ShortTree Forest/Scrub: Found along drainages
in the southern half of the state, 90% of this
vegetation has been cut or is in poor
condition. They are of particular interest
because they are highly diverse and have high
value to wildlife. Closed stands of deciduous
broadleaf trees and short trees with lower
shrub layers can also be found. Total cover is
between 70 and 100%.2
Figure 14: Son. Riparian/Leguminous Short-Tree Forest/Scrub
11
2

Description of Arizona Vegetation Represented on the GAP Vegetation Map, By: Peter S. Bennett, Michael R. Kunzmann, & Lee A.
Graham. Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Vegetation & Soil
The two common soil types in the privately owned portion of the Planning Area include
Holtville, Gadsden, and Kofa Clay which are very similar soil types. Which are best characterized as deep, nearly level, well drained soils on flood plains and low terraces. These soil types
are well suited for irrigated crops. Because of slow permeability and high shrink-swell
potential of these soils, there are challenges in developing sanitary and community facilities on
these soils.3
Two types of vegetation predominate the portions of the Planning Area where native vegetation
has not been replaced with agricultural production. Sonoran Creosotebush-Bursage Scrub is the
most common vegetation type in the Laguna Mountains. This type is characterized by sparsely
spaced creosote bushes. In the Mittry Lake area, Sonoran Riparian/Mixed Riparian Scrub is the
most common type of vegetation. This is riparian area characterized by very dense vegetation.4

Figure 15: Soil Type

12
3
4

Soil Survey of the Yuma-Wellton Area. United States Department of Agriculture
As measured at Yuma. Western Regional Climate Center

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Mittry Lake State Wildlife Area
Most of Mittry Lake Wildlife Area is within the floodplain of the Colorado River. Habitat types
consist of wetlands, marsh, open waters, and desert upland. In 1971, the U. S. Department of
Interior gave the Arizona Game and Fish Department administrative authority over 3,575 acres
of land and water at the lake for the management of fish and wildlife, including migratory birds.
Management emphasis on Mittry Lake Wildlife Area is to optimize the wildlife habitat potential
for present and future generations for public hunting and other wildlife-oriented recreation. The
management emphasis is based on the 1951 lease and cooperative agreement, which allows for
the establishment of a public shooting area, waterfowl resting ground, and provisions to improve conditions for the propagation of fish.5

Figure 1: Mittry Lake State Wildlife Area
13
5

Arizona Department of Fish and Game “Mittry Lake State Wildlife Area.”
http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/wildlife_area_mittry_lake.shtml

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Yuma Proving Ground
The North Gila Planning Area is bounded by the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), to the north
and the east. The Yuma Proving Ground is a U.S. Army facility that covers approximately
1,400 square miles and serves as a general-purpose desert environmental test facility.
Currently ,there are approximately 550 people living at YPG, about the same number of residents in all of the North Gila Lake Planning Area. Though the residential portion of YPG is
located within the boundary of the Planning Area, its population is excluded from statistics
in this report because Yuma County had no planning jurisdiction over YPG. The Yuma
Proving Ground is the largest employer in Yuma County, employing approximately 3,000
civilian employees and military personnel.6

Figure 17: Yuma Proving Ground

14
6

Yuma Proving Ground. “Learn More About YPG.” http://www.yuma.army.mil/chub_what.shtml

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Demographics
The North Gila Planning Area has a very low overall population density, with 15 persons per
square mile over the 60.5 square miles that compose the planning area. However 75% of the
planning area population lives in quarter square mile area bound by Canyon Rd, Avenue 9E,
County 6th Street and Buckshot Road. With this area and its population excluded, the population density of the planning areas is 3.73 people per square mile.7

Figure 18: Population by Census Block
7

2000 United States Census

15

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Demographics
The total population of the North Gila Planning Area is 903, of which 53.6% classify
themselves as White-Non Hispanic. This is 9.3% more than the percentage of Yuma County as
whole. 43.4% of people in the planning area classify themselves as Hispanic 8%, less than the
County as a whole.
North Gila

Yuma County

Arizona

Total Population

903

160,026

5,130,632

White, Non-Hispanic

484

70,956

3,274,258

Hispanic

384

80,772

1,295,617

African-American

14

3,136

149,941

American Indian
Other

6
15

1,819
3,343

233,270
177,546

Table 2: Population, Race, and Ethnicity8

Race & Ethnicity
70%
63.8%

60%
53.6%
50.5%

50%
44.3%

42.5%

40%

30%
25.3%

20%

10%
1.6% 2.0%

2.9%

4.5%
0.7% 1.1%

1.7% 2.1%

3.5%

0%
White, NonHispanic

Hispanic

African-American

North Gila

Yuma County

Figure 19: Population, Race, and Ethnicity8
16
8

2000 United States Census

American Indian

Arizona

Other

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Demographics

Ages
Under 5 years
5 to 9 years
10 to 14 years
15 to 19 years
20 to 24 years
25 to 29 years
30 to 34 years
35 to 39 years
40 to 44 years
45 to 49 years
50 to 54 years
55 to 59 years
60 to 64 years
65 to 69 years
70 to 74 years
75 to 79 years
80 to 84 years
85 years and over

#
56
73
120
43
29
29
48
73
87
55
36
34
77
53
49
24
11
6

Table 3: Population by Age Groups
North Gila Planning Area9

Figure 30 depicts the percentage of the planning area’s
population in five-year age segments. When compared to
Yuma County and the State of Arizona as whole, the North
Gila Planning Area has a much different profile as seen in
Figure 30. A much larger proportion of planning area residents are in the 10 to 15, 45 to 49, and 60 to 64 age cohorts
than in the County and the State as a whole. Because these
three age cohorts are all about 20, years apart the larger
proportions in these age cohorts could be explained by
large, multi-generational families. A much smaller
proportion of the Planning Area population is in the age cohorts covering 15 to 39 year olds. This possibly indicates
that many planning area residents are leaving the planning
area when they come of age.9

Arizona
3.18

Yuma County
3.27

North Gila
3.29

Table 4: Average Family Size9

Age Cohorts by Percentage of Population

9

to

5

Un

de
r

5y

ea
rs
10
ye
to
ar
s
1
4
15
y
e
to
a
1 rs
20 9 y
t o ear
s
2 5 24 y
t o ear
s
3 0 29 y
e
to
a
3 rs
35 4 y
t o ear
s
4 0 39 y
e
to
a
4 rs
45 4 y
t o ear
s
5 0 49 y
t o ear
s
5
55 4 y
e
to
ar
s
6 0 59 y
t o ear
s
6
65 4 y
e
to
ar
s
7 0 69 y
e
to
ar
s
7 5 74 y
t o ear
s
7
80 9 y
e
ar
85 to
y e 84 s
ar yea
sa
nd rs
ov
er

14%
13%
12%
11%
10%
9%
8%
7%
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%

Arizona

Yuma County

Figure 30: Percent of Total Population by Age Cohort9
9

2000 U.S. Census

17

North Gila

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Housing
The housing in the North Gila Planning Area is of a different nature than found elsewhere in the
County. It is an area dominated by vacation homes. This fact greatly influences the type of issues and
needs facing the Planning Area.
A total of 594 housing units in the North Gila Planning Area were reported in the 2000 Census. Of
these, 319 were classified as occupied, which gives the Planning Area a vacancy rate of 54%. This is
a significantly higher vacancy rate than is found in Yuma County or Arizona as whole, which have
occupancy rates of 73% and 87%, respectively. The Planning Area has higher rate owner occupancy
83%, than does the State and County as whole, 72% and 68% respectively. Figure 21 and 22 depict
both
Of the 275 vacant housing units in the planning area. 97.1% are classified as vacation homes. The
Census Bureau defines vacation homes as housing units used or intended for use only in certain seasons, for weekends, or other occasional use throughout the year. The majority of these vacation
homes are likely located within Hidden Shores Village, which is located with the planning area near
Imperial Dam.

Occupancy Rate
100%

87%
73%

80%
60%

North Yuma
Arizona
Gila County

54%

59%

52%
45%

Total Housing Units

594

74,140

2,189,189

Occupied

319

53,848

1,901,327

Owner

266

38,911

1,293,556

Renter

53

14,937

607,771

275

20,929

287,862

0

719

27,775

267

11,662

141,905

8

5,467

56,341

40%
20%
0%
North Gila

Yuma County
Occupied

Arizona

Vacant

Figure 21: Full Time Occupancy Rate of Housing Units10

Homeownership Rate
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

Vacant

83%
72%

68%

For Sale

32%

28%

Other
North Gila

Yuma County
Owner

Arizona

Table 5: Status of Housing Units10

Renter

Figure 22: Types of Vacancies10
10

Vacation Homes

17%

2000 U.S. Census

18

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Land Ownership

Figure 23: Land Ownership

19

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Land Ownership
The North Planning Area is comprised of 38,715 acres. Privately owned land makes up 36% of
the planning area. The remaining 64% is government owned. The federal government owns
60% of the planning area, and the Arizona State Land Department owns 4% of the planning
area, as can be see in Figure 24/
There are 561 privately owned parcels in the planning area; 40% of these parcels, by number of
parcels are smaller than two acres. However, by size, parcels of less than two acres comprise
only .8% of privately owned land. There are 181 (22.2%) parcels that are 20 acres or larger in
size; by size these parcels account for 90.7% of privately owned land as illustrated in Table 7.
These statistics highlight the fact that the overwhelming majority of privately owned land is being used for large scale agricultural purposes.

Ownership
Privately Owned
State of Arizona
Federal Government
Total

Land Ownership

36%

Acres
13,772
1,639
22,764
38,175

Table 6: Land Ownership

60%

4%

Privately Owned

State of Arizona

Federal Government

Figure 24: Land Ownership
Mittry Lake State Wildlife Area

Parcel Size
Larger Than 40 Acres
40 Acres to 20 Acres
20 Acres to 10 Acres
10 Acres to 5 Acres
5 Acres to 2 Acres
2 Acres to 1 Acres
Less Than 1 Acre
Total

# of Parcels
100
81
40
55
60
51
174
561

% of Parcels
17.8%
14.4%
7.1%
9.8%
10.7%
9.1%
31.0%
100%

Table 7: Size of Privately Owned Parcels
20

Acres
9,883
2,605
549
401
213
72
43
13,766

% of Acres
71.8%
18.9%
4.0%
2.9%
1.5%
0.5%
0.3%
100%

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Land Use Designations

Figure 25: Land Use Designation

21

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Land Use Designation Changes

Figure 26: Changes to Land Use Designation

22

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Land Use Designations
Land designated as Agriculture/Rural Residential makes up 47.8% of the planning area. This
mostly represents the portion of the planning area that is irrigated and actively farmed. Land
with an Open Space and Recreational Resources designation makes up 40.8% of the planning
area, as seen in Figure 27. Almost all of this is comprised of federal owned mountainous land
in the Laguna and Gila Mountain ranges. The portion of Yuma Proving Ground that is within
the boundaries of the planning area is designated as Government Land and accounts for 8% of
the total planning area.
Since 2002 there have only been four amendments to the Comprehensive Plan that changed
land use designation in the North Gila Planning Area, see Table 8. Three of the amendments
were on land previous designated as Agriculture/Rural Residential; however, none of this land
was being used for active agricultural purposes. Three of the amendments were to residential
classification with a very low density. The general development trend in this area is for very
low density residential occurring on non-farmable land that is in close proximity to irrigated
and farmed land.
Amendment

Acres

2003-MA-01

36.54

2003-MA-24

1.90

Date

Current Designation

Previous Designation

January 29, 2004 Agriculture/Rural Residential (A-RR)
April 1, 2004

Agriculture/Rural Residential (A-RR)

Rural Density Residential
(R-RD)
Commercial (C)

Retirement Community/Planned Unit Suburban Density Residential
Development (R-RC/PUD)
(R-SD)
Rural Density Residential
2005-MA-05
20.26 January 31, 2006 Agriculture/Rural Residential (A-RR)
(R-RD)
Table 8: Changes in Land Use Designation in the North Gila Planning Area (2002 to 2008)
2004-MA-01

13.64

April 19, 2004

Land Use Designation
Agriculture/Rural Residential
(A-RR)

18,495

Commercial (C)

12

Commercial/Trade (C-CT)

54

Government Lands (GL)

R-RD
0.5%

R-RC/PUD
0.2%

3,114

Heavy Industrial (I-HI)

870

Low Density Residential (R-LD)

16

Mixed Use Industrial (I-MU)

72

Open Space and Recreational
15,802
Resources (OS/RR)
Retirement Community/Planned Unit
70
Development (R-RC/PUD)
Rural Density Residential (R-RD)
210
Table 9: Land Use Designations

Land Use Designations

Acres

OS/RR
40.8%

A-RR
47.8%

I-M U
0.2%
I-HI
2.2%

GL
8.0%

Figure 27: Land Use Designations
23

C-CT
0.1%

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Zoning Districts

Figure 28: Zoning Districts

24

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Zoning Districts
In the North Gila Planning Area 96.7% of land is zoned Rural Area - 20 acre minimum parcel
(RA-20). Land with this zoning is either privately-owned irrigated farmland or government
owned vacant desert or mountains. There are 271 acres, .07% of the Planning Area, with a
residential zoning. Of this total, all but 40 acres allow for the placement of manufactured or
mobile homes. Residential zoning is concentrated in two areas; an area bound by Canyon Rd,
Avenue 9E, County 6th Street and Buckshot Rd, and in the vicinity of County 3rd Street and
Gila Gravity Main Canal. There are 863 acres with a heavy industrial zoning located along
U.S. Highway 9;, these lands are largely used for sand and gravel type operations, as shown in
Table 10.
Since 2000, the Board of Supervisors approved seven rezoning applications in the North Gila
Planning Area. Five of these rezoning occurred in the area bound by Canyon Rd, Avenue 9E,
County 6th Street and Buckshot Road. All but one of the rezonings were to a residential zoning
district, most often to Suburban Ranch - 1 acre minimum parcels (SR-1), and all but one were
rezoned from Rural Area - 20 acre minimum parcel (RA-20) as shown in Figure 29. However,
none of the rezoned lands were previously being used for active agricultural purposes, but
rather were unfarmed land located on the fringes of the agricultural areas. A major goal of the
Yuma County 2010 Comprehensive is preservation of prime farmland in the Planning Area; this
goal has been achieved.
Zoning District
General Commercial
Heavy Industrial
Light Industrial
Low Density Residential- 40,000 square feet minimum
Manufactured Home Subdivision - 20,000 square feet
Recreational Vehicle Park
Rural Area - 20 acre minimum parcels
Rural Area - 5 acre minimum parcels
Suburban Ranch - 1 acre minimum parcels
Suburban Ranch - 2 acre minimum parcels
Suburban Ranch - 4 acre minimum parcels
Suburban Site Built - 4 acre minimum Parcels

Abbreviation
C2
HI
LI
R-1-40
MHS-20
RVP
RA-20
RA-5
SR-1
SR-2
SR-4
SSB-4

Acres
55
863
77
16
46
63
37,449
44
35
23
4
40

Table 10: Zoning Districts

Case
RZ00-07
RZ00-16
RZ01-52
RZ02-43
RZ03-36
RZ05-15
RZ06-47

Location
6389 S. Ave. 8 1/2E
6120 S. Ave. 9E
Ave 9E & Buckshot
County 3rd St. & Laguna Dam Rd.
Highway 95 & Co. 5th Street
County 6th Street and Avenue 8 1/2 E
Bronco Rd.

Acreage
2
1.28
0.68
36.54
1.918
20.26
1.19

Table 11: Rezonings (2000 to 2008)

25

Zoned
From
SR-2
R-1-20
RA-20
RA-20
RA-20
RA-20
RA-20

Zoned To

Year Rezoned

SR-1
SR-1
MHS-20
RA-5
C-1
SSB-4/SR-1
SR-1

2000
2000
2001
2002
2003
2005
2006

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Zoning Districts

Figure 29: Rezonings

26

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Building Permits

Figure 30: Hosing Units Added: 2000 to 2007

27

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Building/Placement Permits
Between January 1, 2000, and August 31,
2007, 20 housing units were constructed or
placed in the Planning Area. Of these 80%
were manufactured homes, 15% were
single family site built homes, and 5% were
mobile homes (Figure 31). Mobile homes are
defined as structures built on or prior to June
15, 1976, on a permanent chassis, but do not
include recreational vehicles and factory built
buildings.

Type of Housing
Constructed/Placed
Mobile
Home| 1|
5%

Single
Family Site
Built| 3|
15%

Nearly all building/placement permits were in
two relatively concentrated areas, one
bounded by Canyon Rd, Avenue 9E, County
6th Street and Buckshot Rd and in the vicinity
of County 3rd Street and Gila Gravity Main
Canal. No housing until has been added to
the planning area since the end of 2006.

M anufactured
Ho me| 16 | 8 0 %

Figure 31: Type of Housing Constructed/Placed

Type of Housing Constructed/Placed
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007*

Single Family Site Built

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

0

M anufactured Homes

0

4

1

2

1

5

3

0

M obile Homes

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

Total

0

4

1

2

3

6

4

0

Figure 32: Type of Housing Constructed/Placed 2000 to 2007*
*

January 1st through August 31st

28

North Gila Planning Area Background Study
Summary
A major goal of the Yuma County 2010 Comprehensive Plan is sustaining the agriculture and
rural character of the North Gila Planning Area. With this in mind land use designations in the
Planning Area were designed to preserve agricultural lands in the Gila Valley. A quick
examination of changes to land use designations, zoning districts, and housing units added since
the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan shows that this goal has been met.
Since 2002, there have only been four amendments to the Comprehensive Plan that changed
land use designation in the North Gila Planning Area. Three of the amendments were on land
previously designated as Agriculture/Rural Residential, however none of this land was being
used for active agricultural purposes. Three of the amendments were to residential
classification with a very low density. The general development trend in this area is for very
low density residential occurring on non-farmable land that is in close proximity to irrigated
and farmed land.
In the North Gila Planning Area 96.7% of land is zoned Rural Area - 20 acre minimum parcel
(RA-20). Land with this zoning is either privately owned irrigated farmland or government
owned vacant desert or mountains. There are 271 acres, .07% of the Planning Area, with a
residential zoning. Of this all but 40 acres allow for the placement of manufactured or mobile
homes. Residential zoning is concentrated in two areas, an area bound by Canyon Rd, Avenue
9E, County 6th Street and Buckshot Rd and in the vicinity of County 3rd Street and Gila
Gravity Main Canal. Since 2000 the Board of Supervisors approved seven rezoning in the
North Gila Planning Area. Five of these rezoning occurred in the area bound by Canyon Rd,
Avenue 9E, County 6th Street and Buckshot Road . All but one of the rezonings were to a
residential zoning district, most often to Suburban Ranch - 1 acre minimum parcels (SR-1), and
all but one were rezoned from Rural Area - 20 acre minimum parcel (RA-20). However none
of the rezoned lands were previously being used for active agricultural purposes, but rather
were unfarmed land located on the fringes of the agricultural areas. A major goal of the Yuma
County 2010 Comprehensive Plan is perseveration of prime farmland, in the Planning Area this
goal has been achieved.
Between January 1, 2000, and August 31, 2007, 20 housing units were constructed/placed in the
Planning Area. Of these 80% were manufactured homes, 15% were single family site built
homes, and 3% were mobile homes. Nearly all building/placement permits were in two
relatively concentrated areas, one bounded by Canyon Rd, Avenue 9E, County 6th Street and
Buckshot Rd and in the vicinity of County 3rd Street and Gila Gravity Main Canal. No housing
unit has been added to the planning area since the end of 2006.

Figure 33: Gila River & the McPhaul Bridge

29