Queen Creek P&Z recommends multifamily housing at new mixed use development

A developer is requesting a rezoning  of a 25-acre parcel at the southwest corner of Ellsworth and Queen Creek roads to allow for multifamily housing.

The Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend approval of the rezoning. Recently installed Commissioner Richard Blasier voted against the recommendation. Commissioners Ashley Baldwin and Spencer Hale were absent.

Called the Union at Ellsworth, the site is currently zoned for commercial mixed-use development. Creation Equity LLC, which is also developing The Switchyard in downtown Queen Creek, wants the rezoning to allow for five apartment buildings on a 6.5-acre parcel at the southern end of the 25-acre development, according to a staff report.

The five apartment buildings would have a combined 250 units and could be up to five stories tall.

“That mixed-use category allows for a wide variety of uses, but it also allows for some pretty extensive heights up to 90 feet,” Erik Swanson, town planning administrator, told the commission. “And while 90 feet is allowed, it obviously requires going through a process and evaluation of that. As part of this process, the development team has said, ‘Hey, look, we know we could have 90 feet. We’d like to do 70 feet and then do the five stories.”

The original plan had the apartment complex located on the northwest corner of the Union at Ellsworth project. By moving the proposed apartment complex to the southwest corner, it will now be adjacent to the Acero Queen Creek apartment complex south of 206th Place.

“We heard that there was a concern about multifamily being located in the (northwestern) portion of the development,” said Brennan Ray, of the Ray Law Firm, who is representing Creation Equity. “There definitely is a demand for (this type of) housing. And we believe that given some of the site constraints — up against a railroad, the elevation with Ellsworth Road — that this development as part of a larger mixed-use development is an appropriate use for the site.”

One of the conditions of approval for the rezoning is that multifamily housing is prohibited on the northwest corner of Union at Ellsworth, the report stated.

Union at Ellsworth is split into four categories with two being for commercial retail and office, one for multifamily housing and one for a hotel. The developer will also add some off-site infrastructure such as roads.

“I think a lot of people have this concern about all kinds of things that come into the town of Queen Creek and (one) is traffic and I’m sympathetic to that. We’ve all driven down Ellsworth Loop and Ellsworth and it can be rough,” Commissioner Alex Matheson said. “But one thing to keep in mind … when we look at the roads in the town of Queen Creek, who actually has bought and paid for most of those roads it’s actually the developments.”

The town has approved site plans for the two commercial sections but Creation Equity must still seek approvals for the apartment complex and the hotel.

As with The Switchyard, which also includes a multifamily complex, the commercial aspect of the Union at Ellsworth is being developed first.

“We do not have a site plan for the multifamily,” Brennan said. “We do not have a multifamily developer that’s ready, locked and loaded to go with this today.”

According to the project narrative, the Union at Ellsworth “is envisioned as a dynamic destination, combining high-quality office, commercial and multifamily residential uses in a walkable, engaging environment.”

Union at Ellsworth is bounded by Ellsworth Loop Road to the east, Queen Creek Road and a Maricopa floodway to the north, and 206th Place to the west. The southern boundary adjoins the Union Pacific railroad and neighboring properties, with South 206th Place curving eastward to reconnect with Ellsworth Loop Road, the narrative continued.

A neighborhood meeting was held on Aug. 17 at the Community Chambers, with 12 residents in attendance.

“Questions raised were in regard to design and uses of the residential and commercial components with a focus on the type of commercial development and whether it would be more ‘big-box’ style development,” it states in the report. “It was conveyed that the development would focus on a more mixed-use design and pedestrian-engaging environment.”

To date, town staff has received two emails opposing the rezoning request citing concerns with growth and traffic congestion, the report stated.

The rezoning recommendation must go before the Queen Creek Town Council for final approval.

The planning commission also approved a comprehensive sign plan for the overall Union at Ellsworth project.

The project will have several monument signs around the site, as well as wayfinding signs within. The sign plan does not require council approval.

Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org. Please send your comments about this article to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.