Single-Family for Rent Project Proposed for Phoenix

By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX 
Real estate developer, The Empire Group of Companies submitted plans to the City of Phoenix for a new single-family for rent development to be located at the NWC of Camelback Road and Ball Park Boulevard. 
Empire is requesting to rezone approximately 18.02 acres from Suburban S-1 District – Ranch or Farm Residence, Special Permit and Suburban S-1 District – Ranch or Farm Residence, to Multifamily Residence District. They are also requesting a General Plan Land Use Designation amendment from Park/Open Space-Public and Residential 3.5 to 5 dwelling units per acre, to Residential 10 to 15 dwelling units per acre and Mixed-Use. 
The project, dubbed Village at Camelback Park, is proposed as a 194-unit single-family for rent development composed of 66 one-bedroom, 114 two-bedroom and 14 three-bedroom units. All residences will be one-story with a maximum height of 19 feet. 
The design will include, “a variety of materials and detailing including brick, stone, metal shade elements, and varied window sizes,” according to the documents submitted to the city. The documents go on to state that staff recommends requiring, “enhanced four-sided architecture to promote compatibility with the area and mitigate the potential negative impact of blank walls on the area.” 
The Village at Camelback Park will include several open green space sections and walking paths connected to clusters of dwelling units. Other amenities include a community center, pool and lounge and a dog park. 
Access to the site will be primarily from Camelback Road with emergency access and exits from Ball Park Boulevard. Pedestrian access to both roads and a future trail connection to the west is also proposed. 
A total of 336 parking spaces are proposed for the project, including 300 surface parking spaces and 36 garage units. According to the documents, staff recommends requiring embellishments on garage doors to add to visual interest and to reduce blank wall space. 
The project was heard and denied at the Maryvale Village Planning Committee meeting on May 13th; however, it is set to go before the City of Phoenix Planning Commission meeting on June 4th. 
Empire is currently developing single-family for rent projects in other parts of the valley. Village at Olive Marketplace in Glendale and Village at Pebble Creek in Goodyear are both currently under construction while Village at Pioneer Park in Peoria is set to begin construction in about four to six months. According to The Empire Group of Companies, Village at Camelback Park will likely begin construction Q1 of 2021.