By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
The Buckeye Planning and Zoning Commission recently advanced more than 1,400 new residential units across three projects. Officials say the City is working to catch up on housing stock to serve its exceptional growth after years of underbuilding.
Hancock Communities at Rooks
Hancock Communities is requesting a rezoning for nearly 77 acres west of the NWC of Rooks and Broadway roads at the 263rd Avenue alignment from planned residential to multifamily to build an 847-unit multifamily community.
According to the submitted project narrative, “The proposed multifamily development will consist of an estimated 847 units, providing build-for-rent units, duplexes and quadplexes, and townhomes each within its own distinct yet complementary area within the development as shown in the conceptual site plan.”
To be built on 33.2 gross acres at the southern end of the site, the estimated 327 Build-to-Rent units will be single-story buildings with one- and two-bedroom floorplans and available either with or without an attached garage. Planned amenities include a dog park, a fitness center and open space.
The planned unit breakdown is 60 one-bedroom units with a garage, 42 one-bedroom units without a garage, 139 two-bedroom units without a garage and 86 two-bedrooms with a garage.
The quadplex and duplex units are planned on 19.43 gross acres in the middle of the site and will feature 76 one-bedroom units in 19 buildings, 180 two-bedrooms in 45 buildings and 32 three-bedrooms in eight buildings. All buildings in the quad- and duplex sections are planned for two stories. In addition to a dog park, fitness center and open space, this portion will have an administrative office.
The townhome component will offer 212 townhomes and 20 “rambler” units on nearly 23.9 gross acres. One- and two-story buildings are planned, and floorplans range from two-to-four-bedrooms. All townhomes are planned with attached garages and will have access to a dog park, fitness center and open space.
Phasing has not been finalized, but construction will take place either in a single phase or in separate phases for each component, according to the narrative.
Hancock Communities is the developer. Barduson Architects is the design firm, and the general contractor is Hancock Builders LLC. Beus Gilbert McGroder PLLC is the project representative.
The Commission recommended the request for approval.
Avanterra Buckeye
Planning and Zoning also recommended a request by Continental Properties to rezone approximately 16.4 gross acres at the NWC of Jackrabbit Trail and Thomas Road from rural residential to multifamily for a planned 141-unit “bungalow rental community” to be known as Avanterra Buckeye.
According to the conceptual site plan submitted by Continental, the development calls for 98 detached and 43 attached units. Floorplans call for 15 one-bedroom, 48 two-bedroom, 53 three-bedroom and 25 four-bedroom units. A mix of both one- and two-story units will be provided, with units closest to the existing single-family development to the north limited to one story. One- or two-car garages will be available for select units.
Planned amenities include a pool, a clubhouse, a “tot lot,” a pet playground area and open spaces. A pedestrian corridor with benches for seating will surround the northern and eastern boundaries of the property.
Continental Properties (Continental 663 Fund LLC) is the developer. The project is represented by Berry Riddell LLC, and public relations and outreach are through Susan Bitter Smith.
LANAI Living
The last project before the Commission was a site plan approval request by Holualoa Companies for its planned 444-unit LANAI Living Build-to-Rent development on 27.5 acres at the NWC of Apache Road and Monroe Street.
Located within walking distance of downtown Buckeye, the planned development features a mix of “quadplex” and “eightplex” units.
The Buckeye City Council approved a rezoning request for the project in December.
The project narrative submitted last September says the development is “Proposed as fourplex and eight-plex buildings comprised of one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, at one and two stories in height. There are roughly 69 one-story buildings and 21 two-story buildings proposed. Envisioned as dwellings that ‘live large’ in the light and air of the Arizona climate, their indoor-outdoor living concept provides each home with fenced, shaded, private outdoor open space. Lanai Living is named for its open-air verandas.”
Planned amenities include a pool, splash pad, volleyball courts, dog runs, and event lawn and community gathering space.
Planning and Zoning approved the site plan.
The project is planned for construction in two phases. The developers are Countrywalk Community Developers LLC, Holualoa Companies. WORKSBUREAU, Inc. is the design firm. Rick Engineering is the civil engineer, and the project is represented by Withey Morris, PLC.
