A Tempe commission recently voted to approve development documents for a new housing project of seven two-story buildings that will create a total of 20 dwelling units across nearly 2 acres.
Tempe Development Review Commission considered a use permit during its March 11 meeting to allow for a 6-foot-tall wall in the front yard setback of the property and a development plan review for a new single-family residential town house development at 966 E. Guadalupe Road.
The commissioners unanimously approved the documents at the meeting, with the action passing 6-0 with some conditions.
Robert Mansolillo, senior city planner, explained in a staff report the 6-foot wall considered will face East Guadalupe Road, with concrete masonry units making up the lower four feet of the wall and the top two feet consisting of view screening.
During the March 11 meeting, several residents spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, expressing privacy concerns with the heights of the proposed residential units and the wall separating them from the surrounding area.
Mansolillo’s report stated each of seven buildings will be 27 feet high, and each of the 20 townhouse units will include a garage, patio and balcony. Each unit will have a two-car garage, and there will also be 21 surface parking spaces per city requirements.
Residents said at the meeting that given that most of the surrounding residences are only one-story tall, there is a concern that their privacy will be violated as the town house residents on the front of the property would be able to look out into homes across the way.
One resident, Amy Bobbitt, who owns two homes in the community, explained the area is comprised of 35 custom homes built in the 1970s and 1980s, and the property value is high, with a recent home in the community selling for about $950,000.
She said residents are trying to protect their privacy, and there are some concerns about the noise the development will bring.
“We think that the buildings are way too close to that wall, and if someone in the town house was standing on their balcony, they’re looking right into one of these properties,” Bobbitt said.
Other residents shared Bobbitt’s privacy concerns, also highlighting an issue with proposed trees at the town house development.
There are 20 trees to be planted along the northern property and 10 trees along Guadalupe Road, and each town house building will have two trees planted to mitigate any privacy concerns, Mansolillo said at the meeting.
“These trees at full maturity would be, I would guess, 20 to 30 feet tall, so they would obscure most of the height of this building at full maturity,” Mansolillo said.
Residents and members of the commission were concerned about how effective the trees would be in protecting neighbors’ privacy, as it will take time for them to reach their full height.
Mansolillo estimated that would take three to four years, to which the commissioners questioned if the applicant would consider purchasing trees that are more mature than the proposed option as to hasten the process to provide neighbors their privacy.
Ashley Sams with Synectic Design, the architect for Tempe 20 Townhomes, responded after public comment, saying that they are open to addressing resident concerns.
“We are willing to look into increasing the size of the initial tree to 48 inches along that property line where the units are to help facilitate it growing maybe a little bit faster,” Sams said.
She also noted that they are open to looking at different window designs and placements that could provide the neighborhood with more privacy like with the potential addition of a window screen, based on the community and commission’s input.
Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines. Reporter Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@iniusa.org
Meet Caroline Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.
Community: She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French.
Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years.
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