Residents speak against proposed Glendale development
West Valley residents are voicing their opposition to a proposed housing and industrial development near them that is seeking annexation into Glendale.
The residents protested the development in written statements read at a Glendale City Council meeting last week chiefly because they believe the houses will be packed too densely to blend in with the surrounding neighborhoods and because it will create a Glendale city island surrounded by county land. Both concerns had been voiced by Glendale Council members in prior discussions of the proposed annexation.
Eight comments were read into the record from individuals or groups from the neighborhoods surrounding the property, on either county land or from Litchfield Park — some of the addresses around the property have the 85340 Litchfield Park ZIP code but are not actually part of the city about 4 miles east of the involved area.
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West Valley residents are voicing their opposition to a proposed housing and industrial development near them that is seeking annexation into Glendale.
The residents protested the development in written statements read at a Glendale City Council meeting last week chiefly because they believe the houses will be packed too densely to blend in with the surrounding neighborhoods and because it will create a Glendale city island surrounded by county land. Both concerns had been voiced by Glendale Council members in prior discussions of the proposed annexation.
Eight comments were read into the record from individuals or groups from the neighborhoods surrounding the property, on either county land or from Litchfield Park — some of the addresses around the property have the 85340 Litchfield Park ZIP code but are not actually part of the city about 4 miles east of the involved area.
If annexed into Glendale, the 865-acres Allen Ranches property northwest of Loop 303 and Camelback Road would be the second-largest addition to the city in 25 years. However, the property is causing more hesitancy on City Council than most annexations. The city has already annexed 412 acres this year with little to no pushback from Council members.
Glendale’s Planning Commission will review proposed general plan and zoning changes regarding the property Thursday, June 4 and Glendale City Council is scheduled to review the general plan, zoning changes and vote on whether to annex the property Tuesday, June 23.
Nearly three-quarters of the property, 615 acres, will be used for industrial warehouses or commercial or office use; 250 acres will be used for a housing development, but that section is causing most of the controversy.
Up-to-date plans showing just how dense the Allen Ranches developers plan to place their houses have not yet been released, but letter writers who attended neighborhood meetings claimed the proposed density was denser than what the county had zoned for the property in 2016, which most neighbors felt had been a fair compromise.
“Using the PAD designation to set aside the 2016 rezoning agreement disrespects and disenfranchises existing property owners,” wrote homeowners association in the nearby Montana Farms neighborhood, on county land northwest of the proposed development.
Many letter-writers lamented that they have no voting power in Glendale yet can be affected by its Council’s decisions regarding property near them.
Council members concerns about the annexation have centered around the density of its homes and creating a “city island” community of residents surrounding mostly by county land, miles away from the city and from most city services.
“You’re going to be generating 3,000 residents, probably at least, maybe more, that are completely detached from the city public safety and city services,” said Cholla District Councilwoman Lauren Tolmachoff in a March Council meeting. “So, I’m not excited about the residential either.”
Residents in the area oppose the development for the same reason.
The Montana Farms HOA wrote to Glendale Council to voice the group’s unanimous opposition, saying the development “would place high-density, entry-level homes across the street from high-end homes on much larger lots.”
The HOA said these higher-density homes would lead to more rental properties, higher residential turnover rates, higher crime, increased tractor trailer traffic near neighborhoods, increased traffic congestion, increased light pollution, would negatively impact area schools.
Vice Mayor Joyce Clark, who represents the Yucca District that this property would be added to if annexed, and some others on Council didn’t like the idea of adding any homes to the city.
“Council’s goal is to encourage and promote job opportunities in our ‘New Frontier.’ I am not pleased to see this applicant come in with a mix of industrial and residential,” she said.
Ms. Clark asked staff to explore the option of adding only the industrial portion of the Allen Ranches property and excluding the residential portion.
Mark Carlisle Associate Editor | Phoenix @mwcarlisle
Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.
Community: Mark enjoys taking his young son to BabyTime at the Phoenix Public Library, to the OdySea Aquarium and to various sporting events around the Valley.
Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.
Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.
Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, son and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.
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