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Sunrise Mountain Preserve is getting 123 acres bigger as the city approved the purchase of more land March 21.
By Melissa Wenzel, Special to Independent Newsmedia
The Peoria City Council approved the $7 million purchase of the remaining 123 acres of Sunrise Mountain, generally located at the northeast corner of 91st Avenue and Happy Valley Road.
The land connects to the 85 acres of Sunrise Mountain acquired by the city last year, supporting the City Council goal to preserve the natural environment. With this addition, the city-owned Sunrise Mountain Preserve expands to about 317 acres.
“This is such a great day for the City of Peoria! Last year, our council took action to protect a portion of this iconic peak,” said Mayor Cathy Carlat. “Today, I am thankful for the considerations of the land owner/developer who is allowing us to take additional steps to preserve the rest of this signature landmark for Peoria residents to enjoy now and forever.”
The first 85 acres of Sunrise Mountain were previously protected using funding sources such as state regulated impact fees, Arizona Heritage Fund and Growing Smarter Allocation. Unfortunately, these traditional forms of managing growth and preserving open space are now extremely restricted and can no longer be used to protect these key areas.
Half of the purchase price will be payable in installments. The city worked with the landowner, Sunrise Mountain Development Partners, LLC, to identify a financing structure that permits installment payments to be spread over the next two years. This agreement makes it possible to use funds from various program savings and reimbursements to the city over time.
Sunrise Mountain is located in the fast-growing Happy Valley corridor and was identified as a primary focus area and high priority in the city’s adopted Sonoran Preservation Program. There are several compelling factors tied to Sunrise Mountain that contributed to its high priority, including intense development pressure in the area, connectivity to existing open space preserve, public accessibility, scenic qualities and private ownership.
The Sonoran Preservation Program was adopted on June 2, 2015. The goal of the program is to identify key areas and then work to protect them over time into a meaningful network of connected open spaces, which will be preserved and accessible by residents to hike, bike and horseback ride. The program incorporated input and guidance from Peoria citizens, user groups and public entities like the Bureau of Land Management and organizations such as the Sonoran Institute, Desert Foothills Land Trust, and Arizona Forward, as well as local municipalities with successful preserve areas like Scottsdale and Phoenix.
Editor’s note: Ms. Wenzel is Marketing & Communications Manager for the city of Peoria Office of Communications.
Sunrise Mountain Preserve is getting 123 acres bigger as the city approved the purchase of more land March 21.
