Development News for Gilbert, Arizona

Commission Rejects Multifamily Rezoning Proposal Amidst Resident Opposition and Land Use Concerns

The commission considered a request for a minor general plan amendment to change the land use classification from general office to residential 14-20 to 25 dwelling units per acre, and a rezoning from business park to multifamily medium with a planned area development. The applicant, Orset Properties, proposed a 121-unit multifamily development on a 4.9-acre parcel within the Reserve at Santan campus. Despite previous efforts to develop the parcel for office use, the applicant cited economic non-viability due to current office market conditions and a surplus of office space in the Phoenix area. The proposed project aimed to finish the campus with a viable development that complements the existing office and retail uses. Numerous residents from neighboring areas, including Chandler, expressed opposition, citing concerns about traffic, crime, property values, privacy due to building height, and the loss of commercial land. The applicant highlighted efforts to redesign the project to address neighborhood concerns, including reducing building height, creating a U-shaped building, modifying window placement, eliminating balconies, and increasing landscaping. The commission debated the deviations requested, the economic impact, and the suitability of the proposed use versus commercial development. Ultimately, both the general plan amendment and the rezoning request failed to receive a recommendation for approval from the commission.