14-unit Carefree condominium approved for recommendation

By Maya McFall
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Carefree’s Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approving a text amendment and special-use permit May 18 for a proposed 14-unit condominium.

Alex Hayes, representing the developer of the site, Scott Wayland, said they have taken into consideration the community’s input and the vision for town center.

“The town center is really designed to be the kind of activity center of the town, and in 2022, the town realized that there was maybe some…unmet potential with the town center, and was looking at ways to figure out how to make it, you know, to increase the economic vibrancy of the town center,” Hayes said. “The feedback we heard was that there was a lot of positive reception to the design, to the overall concept.”  

Hayes said there have been concerns about the residential project impeding on commercial activity within the town center.

However, according to Hayes, 98.2% of existing workforce in Carefree commutes outside of the town for work. More than 98% of jobs in Carefree are filled by non-Carefree residents.

“And I think part of that is just the lack of attainable housing options for the people who work here, the people who are kind of the backbone of making, you know, certainly town center thrive,” he said.

Hayes believes by bringing new people to town, it will allow for more economic activity and for more people to frequent the shops and restaurants in town center.

“By bringing actually more people to the town center, you actually can have an opportunity to increase the sales tax that you’re generating in the town,” he said.

The details of the condominiums include:

• The site is 0.97 acres, designed to be “harmonious” with desert landscape, maintaining natural wash and existing boulders.
• Seven buildings in total, each containing two units.
• Individual units range from 910 to 1,550 square feet.
• Building height is 24 feet from finished pad.

The potential benefits, according to Hayes, include:

• Productive use of a vacant parcel within Village Center Redevelopment Area.
• Executes strategic vision and goals of Village Center Redevelopment Plan.
• Contributes to activation of Village Center, increased sales tax revenue.
• Provides new, attainable housing solutions.
• Quality design compatible with town design and expectations.
• Preserves wash and natural desert landscape.

Concerns were brought up by the commission about the text amendment establishing a minimum of 900 square feet for future property owners.

On the topic, commissioner Sharon Smith said, “Any further developers would have to be decided on a case-by-case basis. To me, that means we’re not obligated to approve any future projects of that nature because we’ve approved this one. This has some special considerations, and I think it’s a good project.”

The motion to recommend the development’s special use permit and text amendment to town council was unanimously approved.

To watch the entire meeting, click here.