By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
KB Devco is planning a new 167-unit, five-story mixed-use apartment community called Apache Square at the SWC of Apache Blvd. and McClintock Drive in Tempe.
The company paid $5.75M for the 1.95-acre former PepBoys site in May 2022. According to the project letter of explanation, in addition to the multifamily units, the plan includes:
- 3.9KSF of flex restaurant/retail/office,
- 1.3KSF of outdoor dining area,
- 810SF of street level office space in live/work areas,
- 2KSF of street level leasing space,
- A 2.2KSF clubhouse and fitness center,
- A five-level, 251-space parking structure and
- 180 bicycle parking spaces.
The Valley Metro light rail is located in the Apache Blvd. median, and the McClintock/Apache Light Rail Station is to the northeast of the site across the intersection of the two streets.
Also according to the explanation, “The Site’s location… provides an opportunity to make a significant statement at the intersection of Apache Boulevard and McClintock Drive and leading up to the nearby McClintock/Apache light rail station with the introduction of a high-quality, mixed-use project representative of the ongoing private and public investment occurring along the Apache Boulevard light rail corridor and throughout Tempe. While the Project is a market-rate multifamily product, the Applicant will participate in Hometown for All.”
Hometown for All is Tempe’s initiative to provide a sustainable funding source for affordable housing development using both a portion of permitting fees and voluntary contributions from developers and other contributors.
The proposed unit mix submitted on the Apache Square site plan calls for 59 studios, 58 one-bedroom, 40 two-bedroom and 10 three-bedroom units. Included in the 58 one-bedroom unit count are two live/work spaces.
Shaded seating and lounging areas are planned adjoining the clubhouse and fitness center. Other planned amenities include an outdoor courtyard with a pool and pool deck.
To accommodate the development, KB Devco has submitted several requests to the City of Tempe. Specifically, the project will require a General Plan amendment changing the site from High Density, which only allows for up to 65 units/acre to High Density-Urban Core, since the planned density is 86 units/acre.
The developer is also seeking a rezoning from Commercial Shopping and Service Transportation Overlay District Station Area to Mixed-Use, High Density (MU-4) TOD Station Area.
Other requests include the establishment of a planned area development overlay, a development plan review and a use permit to modify the ground floor street frontage use requirements.
The proposal has undergone two preliminary and three formal site plan reviews by Tempe staff, the most recent having been conducted last month.
Development representatives also held a neighborhood meeting last month to present the project and solicit feedback from nearby residents. Five people attended and asked questions including the incorporation of art into the project, expected commercial uses and types of residents, housing affordability and the planned construction schedule. An online comment card and an emailed letter of support were also submitted, both of which included comments about traffic conditions at the intersection.
Tempe staff has recommended approval for the project. The Development Review Commission is scheduled to hear the requests this week.
Since the introduction of light rail, the entire length of Apache Blvd. has seen significant redevelopment and revitalization. Calling the planned location for Apache Square an under-utilized site, the letter of explanation says, “The overall vision for this segment of the Apache Boulevard light rail corridor, including the Site, is to significantly revitalize and enhance the area’s urban environment by providing high-quality residential opportunities with supporting employment space within walking distance of the McClintock/Apache light rail station. The Project will provide needed high-quality, modern residences along the Apache Boulevard light-rail corridor with active street-level use space that will both offer a great living experience and significantly enhance the pedestrian realm along Apache Boulevard.”
KB Devco is the project owner. The design firm is DAVIS. Lokahi is the traffic consultant, and landscape design is by Anderson. The project is represented by Gammage and Burnham, PLC.
