Agreement Reached with South Mountain 620 in Ahwatukee
Aug. 11, 2004
Ahwatukee Councilman Greg Stanton and State Senator Slade Mead today announced
an agreement between the city of Phoenix, state Land Department, Ahwatukee
Foothills Village Planning Committee, Tempe Union High School District Board
and Kyrene School Board regarding the South Mountain 620 state trust land
in the Ahwatukee Foothills area, located between 19th and 27th avenues and
South Mountain Park Preserve to Pecos Road.
"This agreement is a real win for the community. It protects principles
that I have long laid out. Specifically it maximizes the chances for preserving
the slope of the mountain and protects the school district's interests," said
Stanton. "We've worked with the community and several stakeholders for more
than three years to ensure that this land will be preserved for generations
of residents in the area to enjoy."
As part of the agreement approximately 196 acres north of Chandler Boulevard
will be included as Option Lands in the State Trust land reform legislation
and will be purchased by the city of Phoenix for inclusion in the South Mountain
Park Preserve. The city also will purchase 40 acres for a community park and
seven acres at the northwest corner of Chandler Boulevard and 19th Avenue
as a site for a fire station and library. Major environmental features in
the area, including washes, rock outcroppings, unstable slopes and an area
of major vegetation will be preserved.
Also part of the agreement 322 acres south of Chandler Boulevard will be
zoned with a minimum of 600 and a maximum of 1,050 single-family dwelling
units; 11 acres at the northwest corner of Pecos Road and 19th Avenue will
be zoned for a neighborhood commercial center; 11 acres north of the neighborhood
commercial center will be zoned to allow a maximum density of 21 dwelling
units per acre; and 33 acres west of the neighborhood commercial center will
be zoned to allow a maximum density of 12 dwelling units per acre.
"Getting the state Land Department to focus on the 620 issue was essential
to putting together this agreement of understanding. As the senator from the
Ahwatukee community, I wish to thank Councilman Stanton, Land Department Director
Mark Winkleman and the governor's office for all coming together to come up
with a terrific solution to the 620 situation. This is a terrific day for
Ahwatukee citizens and all the future generations that will enjoy the open
space," said Mead.
In June, the Ahwatukee Village Planning Committee recommended approval of
the South Mountain 620. In July, the Tempe Union High School District Board
and the Kyrene School Board adopted resolutions that address the future availability
of schools for households that will be built in the South Mountain 620.
Media Contact:
| Sina Matthes |
602-261-8482 |
