BB Living and Cachet Homes, the developers behind the proposed 209-unit Shalimar multifamily and Build-to-Rent development at Country Club Way and Southern Avenue in Tempe, have withdrawn their development application package.
The withdrawal notice was submitted to the Tempe Community Development Department by project representative law firm Gammage and Burnham in a May 26 letter.
The developers had worked to secure approval of rezoning and other accommodations for the 44-acre site for more than two years. In addition to BB Living’s planned 209-units, Cachet Homes intended to build 68 traditional single-family homes as well.
BB Living entered into an agreement to buy the property for $22M in 2024, contingent upon approval of the rezoning, according to a local news report.
The property was formerly the Shalimar Golf Club. Owners Jane and Dick Neuheisel closed the golf course and planned to sell the property. Since the plan was first announced, Dick Neuheisel has passed away.
Area neighbors, including the Shalimar Association HOA, opposed the proposal from its inception. They wanted to maintain the perceived benefit of the property as a green space and objected to both the density of the plan and the inclusion of for-rent components.
Opponents said they ideally wanted the property to continue as a golf course. That possibility was significantly reduced, however, when deed restrictions on the property expired at the beginning of 2025.
Opponents formed a coalition called Save Shalimar to focus their efforts. They were ultimately successful in collecting enough signatures for a petition drive that triggered a requirement for a supermajority vote of the City Council for approval of the rezoning.
In addition to creating and distributing inflammatory pamphlets and a website about the projects’ perceived impacts on neighborhood character and area way of life, the group also targeted candidates for Tempe City Council and demanded clear position statements on the issue.
Mayor Corey Woods publicly said he would not support the rezoning due to the surrounding neighborhood’s opposition.
The property’s current zoning allows residential development of one unit/acre. BB Living officials have said they are revising the development plan for the property, and the new proposal will not require rezoning. While they have not yet provided additional details, they said they plan to break ground in mid-2027.
