The Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission is considering a proposal to change the land use map and zoning for nearly 17 acres of City-owned land from Public/Institutional to High Density Residential.
The City has requested the change for the site north of City Hall, likely to enable the development of multifamily housing. The spaces around City Hall have been targeted for development after the mitigation of the nearby North Santa Cruz Wash floodplain is complete. When that is in place, 11 square miles of land will be open for economic development. City officials last year estimated the assessable value at roughly $1.8B dollars.
High density development would fit with the Maricopa General Plan’s village center concept, which seeks to promote cross-useful developments like apartments, retail, recreation and other commercial spaces in proximity to each other.
City staff has recommended approval for the designation change. Maricopa presently has approximately 2,135 multifamily units entitled, with a goal of reaching 6,250. (Source)