Gilbert delays vote on Target-anchored retail project

By Tom Blodgett
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Gilbert Town Council delayed a decision on a proposed shopping center anchored by a Target at Higley and Ocotillo roads, opting to continue the case after a lengthy hearing dominated by neighborhood opposition.

The discussion came late in the meeting, with council members acknowledging the crowd that had waited hours before deciding to proceed with the hearing rather than push it off immediately.

After hearing the item and public testimony, the council ultimately chose to continue it to April 21 instead of taking a vote.

The proposal would rezone about 16 acres within the Marbella Vineyards area from shopping center to general commercial, allowing for a single large user exceeding 75,000 square feet — in this case, a roughly 128,000-square-foot Target store.

Zoning change drives project

Town staff explained the rezoning request is tied primarily to size limitations in the current zoning.

The existing shopping center designation caps a single user at 75,000 square feet, while the proposed Target would significantly exceed that threshold. Moving to general commercial zoning would allow that larger footprint, even though the project otherwise largely follows the development standards of the existing zoning.

Council members zeroed in on that distinction as they weighed whether the change represented a meaningful shift in intensity.

“I’ve given a lot of thought to this project, and I really hesitate that this project hits the area out there and there’s tremendous residential opposition to this,” Councilmember Bobbi Buchli said.

Traffic, neighborhood concerns

Public opposition shaped much of the discussion, with residents citing traffic, safety and neighborhood compatibility as primary concerns.

“My concern is whether this rezoning at this intersection lines with Gilbert’s plan and standard,” resident Duane Sledge said. “Higley and Ocotillo are already functioning as high-stress arterial intersections, especially during peak hours and weekends.”

Others focused on how the site’s access points could affect nearby neighborhoods, particularly along Wilson Way.

“What I think is going to happen is the patrons that go into Target are going to determine they can’t make a left-hand turn out of Wilson … and that they’re going to want to then make a right-hand turn … and go through our residential area,” resident Shelly Faigle said.

Concerns about congestion during peak shopping periods also surfaced.

“At Christmas time, I can just see kind of the circle of cars going from people trying to find a parking space at Target through the neighborhood,” Faigle said.

Scale of project questioned

Several residents argued the size of the proposed store is out of character for the area, even if it technically complies with zoning standards.

“This thing is massive,” said resident Chad Brossman, an architect. “One hundred thirty thousand square feet, nearly twice what the SC (shopping center zoning) is allotted for.”

Speakers also warned that approving the rezoning could set a precedent for more intense development along major corridors near residential neighborhoods.

“The rezoning also represents a clear increase in intensity compared to surrounding uses,” Sledge said. “Once that intensity is approved, it’s very difficult to reverse it.”

Broader opposition themes

The concerns raised during the meeting echoed earlier feedback from residents, including preferences for smaller-scale commercial uses, worries about increased traffic and parking overflow, and questions about how the project would fit with the surrounding neighborhood.

Some residents also pointed to the proximity of other Target stores in the area, arguing the project could shift rather than create retail demand.

With those issues unresolved, council members chose to delay the decision, signaling a desire for further review or potential revisions before moving forward.

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Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert

tblodgett@iniusa.org

Meet Tom
Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.

Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.

Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism. 

Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.  

Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).