focus on residential and commercial to support future growth along the proposed
extension of State Route 24 (SR 24) that will go through the Arizona State Trust land that
makes up the Specific Plan area. Within these land use designations, high density
residential is an allowed use. It is likely that the denser development within the planning
area will be closer to the future extended SR 24 to capitalize on the arterial as an
economic driver. The areas likely to be developed at a higher density are a mile north of
Rittenhouse Training Site and are not under the sling load helicopter flight pattern, but a
portion of the Specific Plan does go under the sling load flight pattern and residential
uses may be affected by helicopter overflight noise. Once the Specific Plan area is fully
developed, it could result in the loss of the sling load training, or at the least, require the
flight pattern to be moved, which would inhibit the effectiveness of the training.
As discussed previously in Issue LU‐1, the proposed Superstition Vistas development
could also impact operations at Rittenhouse training Site if it is eventually built as
currently proposed. Superstition Vistas as described in the 2015 Pinal County
Comprehensive Plan would enclose the Rittenhouse Training Site to the north and east.
Figure 5‐7 shows the Superstition Vistas planning area in relation to AZARNG facilities
including the Rittenhouse Training Site.
There are several proposed high‐density mixed‐use locations including one northwest of
the Rittenhouse Training Site and one to the northeast of the facility. These activity
centers would be among the more developed areas within the Superstition Vistas
planning area. Figure 5‐8 provides a map that depicts the planned development growth /
high intensity activity centers near the Rittenhouse Training Site.
The future development of the Superstition Vistas growth area would greatly change the
land use and ultimately zoning on lands to the north and east of the Rittenhouse Training
Site. The Pinal County future land use, as shown in the Comprehensive Plan, would
establish moderate / low density residential land use to the west, east and south of the
Rittenhouse Training Site. To the north employment land use would be established that
supports a variety of employment‐generating business activities such as industrial, office,
business park, and warehousing and distribution.
The loss of Rittenhouse Training Site would force the AZARNG to find an alternate
location to conduct helicopter training operations.
Background Report
5-79