​I apologize for the lack of updates recently; we are still waiting for the developer to submit the final application. Here is the approximate timeline for the zoning process: 1. Developer initiates zoning case with the county, thus starting the "pre-application" phase. 2. Developer discusses preliminary plans with the county and begins preparing their application for rezoning. 3. As part of the pre-application requirements, the developer sets up a meeting with all property owners within 1200 feet. This is how neighbors are first informed of the proposed zoning change. 4. The Monastery was notified of this meeting on May 16th, which is when we started this petition effort. The meeting was held on June 1st. We turned in more than 4,000 online signatures and more than 750 handwritten signatures to the county supervisors on May 31st—mainly to get this issue on their radar early and let them know if the strong opposition. 5. At the meeting on June 1st, the developer gave every indication they intend to proceed with the zoning application. However, they haven't submitted the final application yet. They will probably do that in the next week or two. Once it is submitted, we proceed to the "application phase." 6. During the application phase, the county Planning and Zoning Department does a thorough evaluation of the proposal, involving other county agencies as needed (such as public works, sewage, environmental, etc.). They also work with appropriate state and local agencies, such as the Arizona State Land Department, or the Town of Florence. This process takes at least 8 weeks, usually more like 12 weeks. 7. Once the evaluation is done, a public hearing is scheduled for the Planning and Zoning Commission. The County will post an announcement on the property, as well as on the county website, at least 30 days before the scheduled hearing. This should give us plenty of time to spread the word, so people can attend the hearing. 8. At the public hearing, the Planning and Zoning staff will present a summary, followed by presentations by the developer. The public may also provide comments at this time. If we get this far in the process, we will definitely want to have as many people as possible give their reasons why they are opposed to the project. 9. At the end of the public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commissioners will decide what to do. They may request more information from the developer or from county staff. They may require one or more subsequent hearings—this is often the case in complex or controversial situations. In the end, they will take a vote and make their recommendation to county Board of Supervisors. 10. There will be ANOTHER announcement (this time, for the Board of Supervisors public hearing), which will also be announced 30 days in advance, on a large sign on the property, and also on the website. At this meeting, the Board of Supervisors makes the final decision about the zoning change. It works in a similar way as the P&Z hearing, but in a more summarized fashion. Public comment is accepted, but limited to 3 minutes person. Because the developer has still not submitted the application (step 5), we don't know all the details of their zoning request. We want to make sure we have all the details before we start circulating additional petitions and letters. **No action is requested at this time.** If you would still like to write an email or a letter, by all means, please do so; but our overall strategy is to wait for the final application to be submitted. In the meantime, we are still making appointments with all the members of the Board of Supervisors to show them the monastery and the proposed development property, and making other preparations for the possible battle ahead. Please keep this matter in your prayers, and pray for me, a sinner. —Seraphim