By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
While, for a variety of reasons, the more recently completed sections of light rail around the Valley have not seen neighborhood redevelopment at the same pace as the original segments, a new proposal could add some momentum to the northwest light rail area near Metrocenter.
Sason Organization is planning a 345-unit, four-building multifamily development on 7.2 acres near the NWC of 23rd and Townley avenues, just south of Dunlap Avenue. The company has requested a rezoning from Commercial Office to Walkable Urban Code, Transect 5:5 District to allow the development to proceed. Building heights are planned for four stories.
Surrounding uses include office, a fire station, a storage facility and other multifamily residential. The site is currently occupied by an office building used by Brookline College. The 25th Avenue and Dunlap light rail station is less than a quarter mile from the planned site.
Planning staff has set a number of stipulations for the Townley Multifamily Community development. Given the location’s proximity to a light rail station, it falls under the Medium Urban Center place type. According to the staff report, “The Medium Urban Center Place type calls for a balance of commercial and residential to create a retail destination; staff therefore recommends… a mix of live/work units and no less than 5,000 square feet of non-residential use.”
A minimum of five live/work units will be required. According to the stipulation in the staff report, “Live-Work units may be characterized as two-level units that are designed to allow for professional services or sale of goods (inside) Live-Work units shall have a storefront ‘frontage type’ (outside). Live-Work Units shall be designed for small commercial entrepreneurs and/or professionals (sic) services to live and work in their unit.”
The project is planned in two phases. Phase I will deliver one building with a total of 75 units. The expected unit mix is 53 one-bedroom and 22 two-bedroom apartments. Phase II will build the remaining three buildings with 164 one-bedroom and 106 two-bedroom units.
The preliminary site plan shows a swimming pool as part of an amenity area in Phase I and a second pool and amenity area, as well as a space marked “play area/amenity” in Phase II.
Another major stipulation is the inclusion of a public pedestrian access walkway directly from the site to the 25th Avenue station. The pathway must be at least 10 feet wide and able to accommodate both pedestrian and bicyclist uses.
Staff has set 24 stipulations in total.
Sason Organization is the developer. The design firm is Biltform Architecture. The Phoenix Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the case on June 6.
