By Tasha Anderson for BEX
The Gilbert Town Council voted Thursday, August 15th on a new multifamily development near the Gilbert Municipal Complex and the Town Square commercial development.
Council approved a land use classification change and rezoning on approximately 10.32 acres comprised of five parcels at the SEC of Gilbert and Knox Roads. The applicant and land planner for the project, Iplan Consulting, requested a land use classification change from General Office and Neighborhood Office, to Residential > 14-25 DU/Acre, as well as a rezoning request from General Office to Multifamily/Medium.
Developer, Watermark Residential is planning to build a three-story, 216-unit multifamily community called Watermark at Gilbert Town Square. The development plan submitted to the city shows 14 buildings ranging from one- to three-stories. According to the design, the one-story buildings will house garages.
One building will house the clubhouse/office and will connect to Gilbert Road from the west with the addition of walkways and a large amenity area. The amenity area will consist of a one-story pool house and outside pool area.
Access to the property will be from Gilbert Road. Full access will be provided at the south end of the site with secondary access at the north end.
A total of 423 parking spaces will be provided, 58 of which will be within the proposed garages while 158 will be covered.
“The intent is to provide a contemporary multifamily environment that will complement and support nearby businesses,” the staff report states.
The development will be close to a mixed-use area comprised of The Gilbert Civic Center, Cadia Crossing Apartments, Town Center Shops and the Town Square commercial development.
The report goes on to state, “[The developer] intends to provide a ‘renters by choice’ or ‘life-style renters,’ a location to live near employment, shopping, and freeways to enjoy a convenient and high quality of life.”
The project was recommended 7-0 to Council at Gilbert’s August 7th Planning Commission meeting despite some residents’ concerns of lack of privacy, safety and impacts to existing views.