By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
The Gilbert Planning Commission/Design Review Board met last week to discuss details of Lennar Corporation’s planned 311-acre Harvest Grove master planned development at the SEC of Germann Road and Val Vista Drive. As the meeting was a study session, no action was taken.
AZBEX was the first outlet to report on Lennar’s vision for the area. (AZBEX; June 3)
Lennar has requested a minor General Plan amendment and unification under commercial rezoning with a planned area development overlay. The size of the planned development, its potential impacts on the San Tan Character Area, and resident concerns involving traffic, density and changes to the neighborhood have led to two continuances from Gilbert Town Council to give Lennar, staff and residents time to continue to work to address issues. (AZBEX; Nov. 21)
Staff initially recommended against approving Lennar’s requests, largely due to concerns about the San Tan Character Area and its perceived importance to the histories of Gilbert and Queen Creek as rural areas. As we reported last month, “Town staff and many residents in the character area believe it should remain as ‘a combination of rural and suburban neighborhoods that enjoy the natural environment, including wildlife and small-scale agricultural activities,’ according to the presentation.”
The requests are currently scheduled to come back before Council on Dec. 16. A local news recap of the issues surrounding officials’ hesitation to advance the project did not indicate how much progress, if any, has been made.
New Details Emerge
While the original submittals specified attached and detached single-family, varying densities of multifamily and 35 acres of regional commercial, the materials for the Dec. 3 study session provide additional details, specifically for the non-residential components.
According to the site plan, Harvest Grove will feature 193.6KSF of commercial buildings and nearly 74.5KSF of shops and pads. The commercial portion will be anchored by a 99KSF Fry’s Marketplace and include a 5.4KSF gas canopy with 16 fuel pumps and a 1.1KSF convenience store.
The retail portion will have four shop spaces, designated A through D, ranging from 9.8KSF to 12.6KSF. The seven pad spaces are planned for 2KSF up to 5.9KSF. Prospective uses include a small vehicle services shop, a car wash, restaurants and a bank.
According to the submitted narrative, “Harvest Grove is an exciting new high-end, mixed-use development that will seamlessly blend into its surrounding environment while offering a vibrant and dynamic destination for the community. This forward-thinking development will encompass a carefully curated selection of retail, shopping, dining, and entertainment spaces, with the addition of a grocery store, creating a truly diverse and convenient hub for daily needs and leisure activities.”
