By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
The Surprise City Council has given its blessing to a requested rezoning that will change nearly 10 acres at the SEC of 163rd Avenue and the Dynamite Blvd. alignment for development of a Pure Heart Church campus.
The overall campus is planned to cover 41.25 acres and will be built in phases. Phase I, which will be built on roughly 15 acres in the southern portion of the site, will feature an assembly chapel, classroom space, a gymnasium, outdoor meditation and reflection areas, an amphitheater, courtyards and plazas. These components are allowed under the site’s existing Rural Residential zoning.
The rezoning of 9.47 acres in the northeast section of the property from Rural Residential to Community Commercial will enable the development of Phase II, which will include a preschool, training and counseling centers, and two commercial pads.
A third portion of the site, which covers approximately four acres on the opposite side of a wash from the main campus, may be developed later as a Phase III, but there are currently no specific plans in place.
According to the submitted project narrative, “The proposed rezone will accommodate commercial opportunities on site, with designated areas along 163rd Avenue for commercial buildings totaling approximately 31KSF. The two commercial pads are anticipated to be developed with drive-through uses that will require a conditional use permit once users are identified and a site plan is established. These commercial spaces will complement the church’s community-focused mission by providing additional value-added retail services for the surrounding community. This strategic approach aims to increase the site’s utility while maintaining its core purpose as a community hub for spiritual, educational, and social services.”
A traffic impact analysis was submitted and approved, but a queuing analysis will be necessary when the project moves forward to site plan review. The developer will be required to contribute its proportionate share of the implementation of a proposed traffic signal at Dynamite and 163rd Avenue.
The currently planned structures break out as follows:
Phase I
- Assembly chapel: 30.7KSF,
- Gym: 18KSF,
- Two-story classroom/office space: 26.8KSF.
Phase II
- Commercial space I: 12KSF,
- Commercial space II: 12KSF,
- Training Center: 9.8KSF,
- Counseling: 9.8KSF,
- Preschool: 9.5KSF.
Access to the site will be provided both from Dynamite Blvd. and from 163rd Avenue. The final parking space count will meet the minimum standards for the proposed uses. A pedestrian path and open space area will be instituted along the wash crossing the site.
The plan has been the subject of discussion between the church and City staff since 2024. A citizen outreach meeting was held in February 2025 to inform residents about the proposal. During the meeting, some residents raised concerns about traffic impacts, building height and potential light pollution.
The Surprise Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning request earlier this month.
Pure Heart Church (as NOAS Inc) is the project owner, with design services provided by SPS + Architects. Withey Morris Baugh is the land use law firm representing the project.
