City plans vibrant neighborhood center to boost local economy

In a recent government meeting, plans were presented to rezone a vacant property in northwest Tempe from agricultural to Planned Community Commercial (PCC) to facilitate a new mixed-use development. The proposal aims to establish site-specific development standards and conduct a comprehensive review of the site and landscape design.

The site, known as Roland Warner, has been unoccupied for some time. The developers emphasized that the general plan designates the area for commercial use, aligning it with similar zoning on the northeast corner of the intersection. The proposed development includes a neighborhood center featuring restaurants and retail spaces designed to foster community engagement and pedestrian accessibility, with an emphasis on outdoor dining and walkable environments.

Key features of the development include two main buildings: one dedicated to a restaurant with an outdoor patio and another for mixed-use retail. The plan includes 235 vehicular parking spaces and 35 bike parking spaces, with landscape buffers to separate the commercial area from nearby residential homes. The developers have also proposed multiple pedestrian connections to enhance accessibility.

Concerns regarding parking were addressed, with developers noting that their parking provisions exceed average demand estimates for similar developments in the area. They anticipate that the new center will primarily serve existing customers from nearby establishments, minimizing additional traffic. Traffic studies indicate that the development will generate approximately 2,000 trips on a typical weekday, with peak hour traffic remaining manageable within the existing roadway capacity.

The developers assured that the traffic study has been approved by city engineers, and they are committed to addressing community concerns regarding traffic flow and access points. The project aims to create a vibrant neighborhood hub while maintaining adequate traffic management and parking solutions. Further discussions on design and landscaping are expected as the project progresses.