By Philip Haldiman

Independent Newsmedia

A shopping area in the northern part of Peoria is expected to get just a little bit bigger, and safer.

Lake Pleasant Pavilions at the southwest corner of Happy Valley Road and Lake Pleasant Parkway will rezone a portion of its property to create a new driveway entrance from 100th Lane into the shopping center to maintain consistency with the rest of the site, according to a staff report.

The Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission recommended for approval two cases for the 1.81-acre portion of land — a General Plan amendment from low density residential to Community Commercial as well as a rezone from Suburban Ranch to Lake Pleasant to Pavilions Planned Area Development.

City Council will make the final decision in May.

The site is part of a larger portion of city right-of-way adjacent to an ongoing capital improvement project to address safety and traffic improvements as well as existing transportation access needs in the area.

Through this project, a new driveway access point will be built at 100th Lane, which is a signalized intersection that currently serves the commercial center to the north, Lake Pleasant Towne Center.

Once the improvements are completed, the improved driveway will serve as the main access to both the Lake Pleasant Towne Center, as well as the Target-anchored shopping center within Lake Pleasant Pavilions.

Officials say these improvements will significantly increase the safety of drivers leaving the Lake Pleasant Pavilions to head west toward the Vistancia master planned community.

Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-6743 or phaldiman@newszap.com.

DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION

Existing use: Vacant/undeveloped former right-of-way

Proposed use: Commercial driveway access

Property Size: 1.81 acres (new parcel); 41.82 acres (overall site area)