Developer Keeley Properties is proposing a residential development with 135 townhomes and 668 apartments in five buildings, along with general commercial space on nearly 28 acres at the SEC of Neely Street and the Union Pacific Railroad in Gilbert.
The site is currently homed to Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber, which is planning to sell the site and relocate its operation.
Project representative Adam Baugh of Withey Morris, PLC introduced the project at a Dec. 14 neighborhood meeting, primarily attended by residents of the Neely Ranch community.
Keeley is seeking a General Plan amendment and rezoning of the site from general industrial to allow for the new development.
The general industrial zoning currently in place would allow for manufacturing, waste management, freight terminals and other uses far beyond the warehouse/logistics facilities that have constituted the majority of light industrial developments people have become used to in recent years.
Keeley’s plan involves putting 668 apartments on 11.81 acres, 135 single-family housing units – both detached and attached – on 12.76 acres, and general commercial on 1.07 acres. The commercial portion could feature a 7.2KSF restaurant use as just one example.
Baugh told attendees the development would support the Town’s 2018 vision for Heritage District-adjacent parcels and represents a preferred, best use for the site, particularly when compared to the possible impacts of general industrial development.
General retail/commercial is not an attractive use for the site due to its lack of proximity to major roadways and inability to rely on drive-by traffic.
Some of the roughly 30 attendees spoke out against the plan, citing concerns about traffic and resident safety – particularly for neighborhood children – as well as general opposition to apartments.
Project representatives explained that multifamily residential would generate fewer trips per day than any commercial use.
One resident brought up the long-debunked myth that apartments could “bring in lower groups of people possible and the dangers of our neighborhood could increase.”
This was the second neighborhood meeting held to discuss the proposal. Comments from planning staff are expected sometime in the next month, and the formal submittal will likely come in the spring. (Source)
