By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Pulte Homes is requesting a Planned Unit Development rezoning for 9.42 gross acres in the Norterra area of north Phoenix to enable the development of Solis at Norterra, an 80-unit for-sale townhome development at the SEC of North Valley Parkway and West Casino Avenue.
The infill property is currently zoned Planned Community District with underlying C-2 zoning. According to the narrative submitted by project representative firm Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., “The Dynamite Mountain Ranch PCD was approved in 1998 and has largely been built out with master planned infrastructure, homes and commercial development since then. This Project will develop one of the remaining vacant sites within the PCD, supporting the infill nature of this Project. This rezone will remove the PCD designation and change the zoning to PUD. Based on the size of the Property, a General Plan amendment is not required.”
The PUD will make use of recent zoning changes implemented by the City of Phoenix to address the need for “missing middle” housing options to diversify the available pool of residential units. The units are planned for development and sale as fee-simple lots and will not use a condominium plat.
The vacant desert project location is surrounded by a mix of single- and multifamily communities on the north, east and west, with commercial uses to the south.
The narrative states, “The existing zoning allows for identical attached residential development, utilizing a condominium regime, under the R-3 zoning district (allowed under C-2). However, the Project proposes attached single-family homes on fee-simple for-sale lots. Development of such homes, and lots are currently geographically restricted in the City through the Single-Family Infill development option… of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance. The Project is outside of these geographic areas where the SFI development option is permitted by-right or with a Use Permit. Thus the PUD is the appropriate zoning mechanism for this Property. The Project accounts for both the unique site context and drainage constraints, which limit the developable area within the Property and the City’s plans to encourage development of new missing-middle housing.”
Solis at Norterra will feature a “desert modern” design motif with 17 two-story townhome buildings in fourplex and sixplex configurations with three bedrooms, total areas ranging from 1.7KSF-1.9KSF and featuring two-car garages. Access will be via a single, gated entryway off Casino Avenue that will open into a central amenity area. Planned amenities include a pool, spa, cabana, fire pit with lounge seating and a seating area with barbeque space. There will also be a green space area for gatherings and outdoor activities.
The narrative adds, “The proposed site plan capitalizes on opportunities for pedestrian connections, with multiple points to allow residents access to the nearby Sonoran Preserve Desert Vista trailhead to the east and walkable commercial to the south.”
The planned density is 8.5 units/acre, and maximum building heights will be 30 feet. Open space is planned at 20% of the total site area.
The request was submitted in late February. No action has been scheduled or taken as of press time.
The property is currently owned by Robert S Bullington & Frances Bullington Land Trust/Bullington Robert H Jr/John D. Pulte Home Company LLC is the owner representative and developer. Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. is the engineer and is also handling land planning and entitlements. The design firm is KTGY. C2 Collaborative is the landscape planner.
