By Roland Murphy for AZBEX – BEXCLUSIVE
Phoenix’s inventory of affordable apartments could increase by another 40 units under a plan proposed in the Sunnyslope area by developer Resilient Health.
The developer is planning Resilient Living at Sunnyslope on 1.04 acres near the SEC of Sahuaro Drive and 19th Avenue. According to the submitted narrative, “The Applicant intends to rezone the property from R-3 (Multifamily Residence) to PUD (Planned Unit Development) to allow for an affordable housing development on the Property. See the purpose of the requested rezoning to PUD is to allow for a quality affordable multifamily development that will provide amenities and development standards beneficial to the overall community. Additionally, this development will maximize the land utilization impact by developing affordable housing and increasing the density permitted on the site and, further, reduce the parking requirements to better align with the anticipated parking needs of future residents. The resulting housing product will not only be of the highest quality, but will also only allow residents with qualifying incomes, meeting the community’s increasing need for quality, affordable places to live.”
The application defines “affordable” as serving households with incomes of less than 60% of the area median and pledges an enforceability use restriction from 15-40 years.
The single, 47-foot-high building planned for the site will offer a planned unit mix of 19 one-bedroom, 13 two-bedroom and eight three-bedroom units with a total of 41 parking spaces. Planned amenities include a “tot lot,” a clubhouse/community room, outdoor barbecue area and open space of nearly 7% of the total lot area.
The location and site design are planned to add to the neighborhood’s connectivity by creating a walkable, shaded environment between the new community and a commercial center near 19th Avenue and West Sahuaro. There will be a single vehicular connection from West Sahuaro, which is planned to provide access to both 19th and West Peoria avenues.
The site has been planned with sensitivity in mind for existing residents and features a 75-foot setback from the south and a 45-foot setback from the east. Open space is planned along the south of the property to buffer against existing homes and a wall of at least eight feet will surround the property for additional screening. Parking will be situated along the property’s east side toward the existing commercial center.
Resilient Health is the developer. The design firm and landscape architect is Todd & Associates Architecture. Traffic consulting is through Southwest Traffic Engineering LLC, and Rick Engineering Company is the civil engineer. The project is represented by Quarles & Brady LLP.
As of press time, no hearing dates have been scheduled.
