GILBERT, AZ - A proposal for high-density housing that raised red flags with the Gilbert Town Council in July is heading back through the approval process, but the idea of more apartments may not be any more welcome at the council this time around. "I think the community has kind of spoken their piece as to whether it wants apartments and condominiums," Town Councilman Steve Urie said Monday.
Higher-density zoning, which could accommodate apartments, condominiums or congregate care facilities such as assisted living complexes, is being proposed for two properties: one near the southeast corner of Higley and Queen Creek roads, and the other on Ocotillo Road between Higley and Recker roads. Both now have lower-density multifamily zoning and are slated for detached housing within the general plan. They are within the 435-acre Bridges planned development, most of the rest of which is single-family housing.
The case is expected to reach the Town Council in December. The zoning the developer is asking for would increase the number of housing units allowed from 469 to 1,218, though the owner, Scottsdale-based Daybridge Capital LLC, is estimating it will build 830. The case was initially going to be heard last summer, but a problem with the posting of public notices forced the town to scrap the hearing process before the Planning Commission could vote.
Town planner Amy Temes said the changes being sought by the developer aren't as drastic as they may appear, since much of the property is already zoned high-density residential. As the single-family housing market deteriorates, some developers have been upping the pressure on Gilbert officials to permit higher-density zoning. The Planning Commission is also scheduled to meet Wednesday evening as the Board of Adjustment and hear an appeal from the developers of Main Street Commons.
Developer Opus Southwest is appealing a town official's ruling it would not be permitted to build stand-alone apartment complexes that do not include stores on the ground floor. The hearing for this case has been delayed twice at the developer's request. Appeals of Board of Adjustment decisions go to Maricopa County Superior Court and not the Town Council.
Source: EastValleyTribune.com