By Philip Haldiman
Twitter: @PhilipHaldiman

A new 189-unit single story, multi-family residential gated community is planned for nearly 18 acres at the northwest corner of 83rd and Olive avenues.

The Peoria City Council on Jan. 21 approved a plan to amend the Old Town Specific Area Plan land use designation and rezone the property for a project called Christopher Todd Communities on 83rd.

The development will be about 11 dwelling units per acre, a density lower than currently allowed at 18-25 dwelling units per acre, requiring a Minor Specific Area Plan Amendment to accommodate the proposed density and associated rezoning.

The development will consist of one- and two-bedroom units.

Planning Director Chris Jacques said they include a private backyard, which will be at least 200 square feet for one bedroom units, and 300 square feet for two bedroom units. All backyard spaces will be a minimum of eight feet in depth. The development will also contain a minimum common usable open space of 125 square feet per unit, he said.

“Collectively, when we look at the entire corner and with the changes in the retail landscape we are seeing, we believe that the overall units provide for additional housing opportunities for a household type that we’ve heard in recent years, it’s changing rapidly, but also helps support the existing commercial opportunities in the area,” Mr. Jacques said.

Several amenities throughout the community are expected, including a pool, spa, gym, centralized ramada with seating, as well as a fireplace and TV, a centralized event lawn, and multiple open space areas with shade from trees and canopies.

Councilwoman Vicki Hunt, who represents the area, said she loves this project.

“I love everything about it,” she said. “I’ve met with planning and the applicant several times. They have come up with a quality product here.” 

Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697, phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.

Philip Haldiman
Senior News Editor | Peoria
@PhilipHaldiman

phaldiman@iniusa.org

Meet Philip
Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.

Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.

Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater. 

Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.

Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.