Once a notion so contentious it sparked a lawsuit and a series of hostile back-and-forth exchanges, the cities of Tempe and Phoenix have now come to an agreement that will allow the eventual development of apartments on land near Priest Drive and Rio Salado Parkway.
The 46-acre site was once planned for a major mixed-use development and arena as home for the Arizona Coyotes. Tempe City Council approved the proposal, but Phoenix was strongly opposed, citing the potential for future negative impacts on Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport operations. Phoenix sued to stop the development.
Following an organized public resistance campaign, a referendum killed the Coyotes’ Tempe plan. A subsequent attempt to place the development in north Phoenix also failed, and the team eventually moved to Utah.
Now, however, both cities’ city councils have approved an amendment to an existing intergovernmental agreement to address flight procedures and noise mitigation requirements for multifamily development on the site. Tempe approved the measure last month, while Phoenix voted to approve it at its Dec. 4 meeting.
Under the agreement, any residential development in the area must be apartments for rent. Tempe will also require the installation of noise insulation before apartments can be occupied. In exchange, Phoenix will drop its litigation against Tempe.
No new plans have been announced, but Tempe officials have expressed strong interest in converting the current landfill site to more productive uses. (Source)