The Planning and Zoning Commission will hear a request by Toll Brothers for a grading encroachment into the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve totaling 1.5 acres.

The cut areas will be to the rear of approximately eight home lots in parcels 5 and 6 within the Adero Canyon subdivision.

According to the Development Services staff report the cuts will be visible from within the subdivision, but not from the Adero Canyon Trailhead at the top of the canyon.

No portion of any structures on the lots would cross the property line into the Preserve.

Staff has determined that Town Code and the Zoning Ordinance need to be amended to allow for the grading encroachment.

Staff has also determined that the grading would not be overly detrimental to the Preserve as the affected area is nearly inaccessible from the Preserve or the trailhead.

In exchange for the grading encroachment, Toll Brothers is proposing to deed over to the town the 82-acre Parcel 9 as open space to be added to the Preserve.

Parcel 9 is essentially a ridge line that could be accessed for a future trail that would extend from the trailhead south to a peak above the SunRidge Canyon driving range.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Thursday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. in council chambers at Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public. There are public hearings associated with this action.

The Town Council will consider the request on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at Town Hall.