The on-again, off-again debate over how to develop the last sizable chunk of undeveloped land in Ahwatukee Foothills will come to an end by early 2008, an Arizona State Land Department official says.
Last week, Phoenix officials received the land department’s rough draft development agreement for the property, said David Richert, senior executive assistant to the city manager.
City officials plan to talk about it and give the land department feedback, Richert said.
In two to three months, an agreement on how the land will be developed could be reached between the state department and the city, predicted Jamie Hogue, deputy land commissioner for the state land department.
"I think everyone’s anxious to see resolution; this project’s been going on for far too long," Hogue said.
The land can go out for bid at an auction after the development agreement is in place. A plan would be subject to the City Council’s approval.
No one bid on the land in 2001; developers said they were concerned about constraints on the property, Richert said.
Since then city and state land department officials have been discussing how to change the plan to lure bidders, he said.
"The sooner the better," Richert said. "I think the (state) legislators have given clear direction, as well as City Council members, that it’s time to do something."
The future of Ahwatukee‘s scenic, undeveloped 620 acres abutting South Mountain between 19th and 27th avenues, has been the subject of intense discussion years.
Ahwatukee Foothills residents objected to the original development plan in 1993 because it allowed up to 2,400 homes, too dense for the area, they said.
Phoenix officials have long wanted to buy the 243 acres north of Chandler Boulevard. It would preserve 196 of those acres as open space and build a library, fire station and community park on the remaining 47 acres.
The latest development proposal calls for 1,400 homes on the 620 acres, but if the city is successful in buying the 243 acres, there would only be 1,050 homes developed and they would all be south of Chandler Boulevard, Richert said.
Some changes that could be in the new development agreement, he said, are:
• Schools may not be part of the development as neighboring school districts cite declining enrollment.
• Drainage would be added along Pecos Road
• The city would have a specified time period to say it intended to buy the 243 acres. A developer who bought the 620 acres would be required to sell the 243 acres to the city.
• A commercial and multi- family development may be allowed at 19th Avenue and Pecos Road. It had been discussed at 27th Avenue and Chandler Boulevard previously. Multi-family could include apartments and condominiums.
Richert said the city would share development proposals with the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee again.
Ahwatukee Foothills resident Greta Rogers said she likes the idea of a library on the 243 acres the city wants.
"I will be glad when the 620 is finally a fait accompli and things can move forward," Rogers said. "I just don’t want to lose that portion which the city has negotiated over a long period of years and thoughtfulness to preserve and save."
Colleen Sparks
The Arizona Republic
