The city of Phoenix earlier this month took a step toward transforming the banks of the Rio Salado.
The Phoenix Planning Commission approved a general plan amendment on Oct. 1 for the Rio Salado District Policy Plan. The amendment will still need to be approved by Phoenix City Council.
The plan, according to the general plan amendment, lays out collaborative efforts through 2050 between the city, area residents, businesses and community stakeholders to transform the area beyond the banks of the Rio Salado.
The commission was presented the general plan amendment in August but sent it back to the South Mountain Village Planning Committee for additional discussion. After the VPC revisiting the amendment in September, staff attached changes to the amendment on Sept. 29, ahead of it returning to the Planning Commission.
Among the changes were building height limitations, affordable housing incentives and encouraging city-led actions to promote inexpensive housing, local business engagement, infrastructure improvements and keeping residents in the area from being displaced. The city will also create an interactive online tool to allow residents to track the plan’s implementation and give their feedback.
Nick Ryan, a designer with Multistudio, the city’s consulting firm on the plan, said he spoke to more than 1,000 community members during the public input process for the plan. He said he learned a lot about the area, its residents and businesses and heard a lot of excitement for the plan.
“I’m always inspired by the passion in the community members’ speeches and the conversations on the different areas of the plan,” Ryan said during the commission meeting.
The area included in the plan is generally bounded by Interstate 17 to the north, 32nd Street to the east, Broadway Road to the south and 19th Avenue to the west.
(Courtesy city of Phoenix)
The area included in the plan is generally bounded by Interstate 17 to the north, 32nd Street to the east, Broadway Road to the south and 19th Avenue to the west.
The area includes an inactive aggregate mine. The land use map for the Rio Salado District Policy Plan does not allow industrial uses. Phoenix Planner Enrique Bojórquez Gaxiola said that the community had “some significant concerns” around allowing new industrial uses to the area, which is why they were excluded.
Nick Wood, a development lawyer for that property owner, said that while he supports the plan, he hoped the city would make it clear that the aggregate mine is grandfathered in as an industrial use, should it ever want to become active again. Wood said that mine has helped supply materials for the construction of TSMC, the I-10 Broadway Curve, the expansion of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and other projects throughout the city.
Ryan said that after sending the general plan amendment back to the South Mountain VPC and returning to the Planning Commission, they had landed on a good result.
“I believe the policy plan is focused on creating a transformative vision centered around the people, businesses, nature and culture of the existing communities in this area,” Ryan said. “I also believe the land use map presents the best path forward for promoting a vibrant and active mix of uses along and beyond the banks of the Rio Salado.”
The city's RIO PHX logo.
(Courtesy city of Phoenix)
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Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.
Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.
Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.
Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.
Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.
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