By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Two projects approved by the Tempe Development Review Board this week will, if built, add 943 apartments to the city’s housing stock.
Emerald Multifamily
For the larger of the two projects – Emerald Multifamily – Davis Development requested an amended planned area development overlay; a use permit for residential and a development plan review to create a new 591-unit, five-story multifamily community on 16.8 acres at the SWC of Priest and Commerce drives.
The site is currently zoned Regional Commercial Center and has a mixed-use land use designation. The current request deals with the northern section of the parcel, while the southern portion will remain commercial under the existing Emerald Center PAD.
According to the site development plan submitted with the requests, the development will consist of 591 units in two buildings set up as their own communities. There will be two parking garages located on site. Planned amenities include community clubhouses, resort-style pools, fitness centers, open areas with lawn game spaces, outdoor kitchens, shaded seating and firepits.
“The buildings are wrapped around some of the community amenities, while some amenities are located on the roof deck. All amenity areas have inviting open spaces and landscaping to support healthy community interactions,” the plan says.
The planned unit mix is 267 one-bedroom, 281 two-bedroom and 43 three-bedroom units. Total residential parking is planned for 1,075 vehicle spaces and 425 bicycle spaces.
A future-planned Phase II will focus on the commercial aspects of the property and is currently intended to provide 110KSF of retail, 20.2KSF of restaurant and 30KSF of office in a total build area of 802.9KSF.
A virtual neighborhood meeting was held in February. Only one person – a suite owner in a nearby office complex – attended. He asked about the developer’s history with multifamily projects, if the units would be offered for sale or rent, and whether or not the communities would be accessible via Priest Drive.
No dates for follow-up actions or hearings by Tempe City Council were included in the staff comments.
Lincoln South Bank
Though smaller by 239 units, the second project will likely garner much more attention and fanfare because of its height and prominent location. Lincoln Property Company’s Lincoln South Bank will put 352 units and 2.33KSF of retail on 2.23 acres at the NWC of Rio Salado Parkway and Vista Del Lago drive on the south shore of Tempe Town Lake.
The 21-story development has a planned height of 252 feet, eight inches.
LPC’s request consists of an amended planned area development overlay and a development plan review. Three preliminary and two formal site plan reviews were conducted between August 2021 and last month and various staff recommendations and changes were incorporated into the project design.
The unit mix consists of 16 studios, 198 one-bedroom, 133 two-bedroom, three three-bedroom and two four-bedroom units. Planned amenities include pools, a fitness center, a club house, outdoor kitchens and fire pits. Courtyard/amenity areas will sit on the north side of the development and open up to Tempe Town Lake. The seventh level will also feature an amenity deck.
The proposal calls for 250 vehicle parking spaces and 340 bicycle parking spaces. At the request of the Tempe Economic Development Department, 10 electric vehicle charging stations have been incorporated into the parking garage design. LPC and Economic Development are currently negotiating a development agreement, according to the project submittals.
A virtual neighborhood meeting was held with four attendees on April 26th. The only question asked was for an explanation of the project amenities, and the meeting concluded in 15 minutes.
Tempe City Council is scheduled to hold hearings on the requests on August 18th and September 8th.
