Reader believes Autism school doesn’t belong in Sun City West

I have been doing some further research into the Victory Autism Academy that is slated to begin operation in SCW this fall. 

This included contacting Maricopa County, whose representative indicated that no permits have been applied for as of yet. All uses of property must have a “certificate of occupancy” for the use of the building. It would be gross negligence of the school to put such a facility in a building not suited for the use.  For example, location and number of fire exits, number of restroom facilities, parking, loading and most importantly the underlying permitted uses in the zone.  I expect that this “specialty school” may have greater requirements for “life safety” components in the building than even a regular school might require.

The community master plans were adopted in 1985 and 1993 that set forth the land uses within the borders of SCW.  All master plans require strict conformance to uses identified in the document some of which might not be otherwise be permitted in a predominately residential area examples: hospital, memory care facility, assisted living, etc.  I am pretty sure that schools with school-aged children were not included in the plan.

I have put a call into the development & zoning section supervisor about the content of the SCW Approved Master plans.  I have also filed a complaint with Maricopa County regarding this proposed use on the basis of not being identified in the master plan and the general unsuitability of the building for this purpose.

I believe it can be stopped cold and I am happy to speak for the community since the SCW management and GB are unable or unwilling to do so.

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