By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Developer The NRP Group is requesting major site plan approval for a 336-unit affordable multifamily residential community at 1400 N. Promenade Pkwy. in Casa Grande.
The 15-acre multifamily development is part of Walton Global Holdings’ 591-acre Casa Grande Commons Planned Area Development master-plan, which was granted a General Plan amendment and rezoning in December 2022. The proposed apartment site northwest of Florence Blvd. and Mission Parkway is currently undeveloped farmland, according to the staff report.
Surrounding uses include vacant land to the north and west. The to-be-developed Promenade Village Build-to-Rent community site, which is also under the Casa Grande Commons PAD, is adjacent on the east side and will share a block fence with the apartment community. The Promenade Shopping Center lies to the south.
The development will be made up of a 9.5KSF clubhouse and 12 three-story residential buildings. The proposed unit mix is 24 one-, 132 two-, 108 three- and 72 four-bedroom apartments. Multifamily development is permitted in the PAD for densities up to 40 units/acre. The Casa Grande Commons Apartment Homes will have a density of 22 units/acre.
The clubhouse will include a resident lounge, business center, fitness center and community room. The community room will be planned in partnership with an as-yet-unidentified local organization. Other planned amenities include a dog park, swimming pool, barbeque area, soccer field, volleyball court and a pedestrian-focused circulation system to connect to nearby shopping and recreational outlets.
Access to the property will be from Promenade Parkway via a central entry point and a secondary access toward the north. A total of 685 parking spaces will be provided, whereas only 638 are required.
The project will be financed under the 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
In justifying the large-scale multifamily use for the property, the project narrative says, “The city continues to experience significant residential and economic growth, with a 24% population increase between 2019 and 2024. This trajectory is supported by ongoing industrial recruitment, job creation and regional investment. As a result, there is increasing demand for high-quality housing options that serve a growing and diverse workforce and options that reduce vehicle dependency and enhance quality of life.”
It also says, “As the only multi-family project currently proposed east of Interstate 10, Casa Grande Commons fills a critical housing gap and aligns with the City’s vision for the PAD as a dynamic, multi-functional district.”
Staff has recommended approval of the request with minor technical modifications and on the conditions the major site plan for the development be placed on its own parcel through a plat or a parcel split and that a half street is dedicated for Promenade Way.
Public hearing notices were sent to nearby property owners Aug. 22. Staff had not received any comments before issuing its report.
The NRP Group is the developer. The design firm is Biltform Architecture. ABLA Studio is the land and landscape planner, as well as the project representative. The engineering firm is RICK Engineering.
The request is scheduled to go before the Planning and Zoning Commission Sept. 4.
