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Eight major proposals to amend Sahuarita's voter-approved general plan have been submitted to the town. If the land is eventually annexed, it would add 25 square miles to the town's current 31.

But Town Manager Jim Stahle cautioned that annexation and development of the 25 square miles is far away and not a sure thing.

"It will take decades before they're built on," he said.

Of the eight proposals, two are proposed by the town.

The town is eyeing 16 square miles of state trust land north of East Sahuarita Road and east of the current town boundaries. Stahle called this plan amendment a critical component to Sahuarita's eastward growth toward Corona de Tucson.

A second proposal was made by developer American Nevada Co. The company has control over seven square miles between West Helmet Peak Road and West Twin Buttes Road jutting west of the town's boundaries, slicing between the mines. The company also submitted a plan amendment to the county, Stahle said.

The amendments are the most proposed for the town since voters approved the current general plan five years ago, Stahle said. The plans — which will be reviewed by the public, the town Planning Commission and the Town Council in the coming year — will give Sahuarita an opportunity to plan for expected growth, Stahle said.

Stahle said the plan amendments would give Sahuarita more flexibility and say on how the land is developed.

"We have the ability to plan for our future," he said.

If the proposals fit the town's needs, Stahle said annexation of the land would benefit the town, Stahle said.

Development outside the town is controlled by Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation. Sahuarita cannot collect tax revenue from development outside Sahuarita.

The eight proposals are:

● Mission Peaks, about 4,200 acres of American Nevada land south of West Helmet Peak Road, north of West Twin Buttes Road and split by South Mission Road.

● State trust land of about 600 acres between the Mission Peaks project and West Helmet Peak Road, which is adjacent to the American Nevada land.

● State trust land of more than 900 acres north of East Quail Crossing Boulevard and southwest of East Santa Rita Road. Sahuarita submitted the proposed plan amendment for this property.

● The town's big proposal: 12,500 acres owned by the state, the city of Tucson and private landowners, east of the town limits and south of Tucson's city limits.

● A plan amendment proposed by Park Corp. for 50 acres west of the current town limits at West Duval Mine Road and South La Cañada Drive.

● A plan submitted by Diamond Ventures for 50 acres at the southwest corner of the current town limits.

● A plan proposed by Robson, a residential development firm, for 50 acres west of East Quail Crossings Boulevard and west of South Old Nogales Highway within the town limits.

● The Hoffman Road plan, involving 80 acres of private land between West Twin Buttes and South La Cañada Drive within the town limits.

The first six proposals are currently outside the town limits.

Major amendments to the general plan are considered those that would change the land use from its current designation. State law requires that proposed major amendments, private or from the town, be evaluated for its impact on water, environment, recreation and open space, public facilities and service, land use and transportation.

Mayor Lynne Skelton, in a written statement, said "the town is committed to involving the public and looks forward to having a dialogue with all stakeholders on the general-plan amendments."

Stahle said the review process begins with a 60-day period during which comments will be solicited on the eight proposed amendments.

The town's Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct its own review and public hearings, then make its recommendations to the council. The council will follow with its review and public hearings, Stahle said. The council could accept the recommendations or make its own changes, he added.

Stahle said he expects the council to act on the amendments by the end of the year.