By Philip Haldman

Independent Newsmedia

The Peoria City Council approved a proposal to allow for more density on a 4.38-acre infill residential development near 71st Avenue and Happy Valley Road.

The approval allows the property to be rezoned from Suburban Ranch to Single-Family Residential to facilitate the development of nine lots called 71st Avenue Estates.

It allows developer Scottsdale-based Jarvis Capital Investments to build about two homes per acre, with the lots expected to range from 9,053 square feet to 12,290 square feet.

The project is made up of two parcels. The north consists of five lots ranging from 9,053 to 10,975 square-feet and the south parcel consists of four lots ranging from 11,100 to 12,290 square-feet.

The site is located within a pocket of undeveloped infill properties located behind Terramar Elementary School, 7000 W. Happy Valley Road, solely accessed by 71st Avenue. This pocket is adjoined to the north and west by the subdivisions of Terra Vista Estates and Terramar, which are  zoned the same as the 71st Avenue Estates proposal.

Primary access into the project will be from 71st Avenue via Happy Valley Road. A secondary emergency access exists to the east between 69th Avenue and 68th Lane, which was provided by the Terramar Cove development. The city’s traffic engineering division has reviewed and approved the applicant’s traffic preliminary traffic study in accordance with city standards. A final traffic study will be required at the time of preliminary plat.

Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the case to city council last month.

Senior Planner Sean Allen said at a Dec. 13 planning and zoning commission meeting this project is compatible with the surrounding area. He said typically the city has an open space requirement for housing developments, but if it is less than 10 acres, they are exempt from that requirement.

“The applicant has provided in the center tract some open space amenities that include a meandering trail with some benches, a pet station and a grassy play area in the center,” Mr. Allen said.