By BEX Staff for AZBEX
The Phoenix Planning Commission has recommended approval for rezoning that will allow development of a proposed multifamily residential community with both standard and affordable units and additional retail space.
A total of 162 units is planned on the 8.9-acre site, which currently has a mixture of zoning designations in place for multifamily and commercial. The City of the Americas proposal from Project of America Development Company and its partners has requested rezoning under Phoenix’s Walkable Urban Code.
A local news outlet reported project representatives told the Commission the developer’s plan includes affordable units, but applications for affordable housing grants can be highly competitive. To increase flexibility in building the project, the developer requested the removal or changes to some stipulations that had been added when the project appeared before the South Mountain Village Planning Committee. These would have limited building heights on part of the site and set requirements for a planned walking path.
The project representatives said the Walkable Urban Code already addresses the issues under the stipulations.
Commissioners generally agreed, adding any outstanding concerns about walkability and public access could be addressed in the plan review process.
The property at the NEC of Central Avenue and Roeser Road is located across the street from a light rail station and is covered by the South Central Transit Oriented Development Community Plan.
According to the project description, “As shown on the conceptual site plan the proposed development will be a four-story and three-story development, 162-unit affordable housing multifamily development with frontages on Central Avenue, Roeser Road, 2nd Street, and Cody Drive.
“Building 1 will be on Parcel A at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Roeser Road, Building 2 will be on Parcel B at the northwest corner of 2nd Street and Roeser Road, and Building 3 will be on Parcel D at the southeast corner of 2nd Street and Cody Drive. Parcel C at the southeast corner of 2nd Street and Cody Drive will be an open space area and Parcel E, located at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Cody Drive, has no development planned at this time. Parcel A is planned to be developed first with the other parcels being developed at a later time.”
Having secured the recommendation from the Planning Commission, the requests will now advance to Phoenix City Council for consideration.
Project of America Development Company—in association with Manos De Mama, LLC; Social Advertising Labs, LLC, and Mary’s Ministries—is the project owner. The design firm is Carhuff + Cueva Architects, LLC. Sender Associates is the project representative.
