Goodyear residents ask city to review two assisted-living homes operating inside gated community
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Summary
Residents of Vortalis raised zoning and safety concerns about two assisted-living homes they say were established before the city required zoning for such facilities and that they violate CC&Rs; speakers reported multiple police and emergency responses and asked the city attorney and staff to investigate.
At the Aug. 25 public-comment period, Goodyear residents told the City Council they want city staff and the city attorney to examine two assisted-living homes operating inside the Vortalis gated community that residents say conflict with their recorded covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs).
Lisa Oster, a Vortalis resident, said the two facilities were established in 2019 and 2021, before the city required specific zoning for such uses, and that the CC&Rs for the homeowners association explicitly prohibit assisted-living and group homes. "Our CC&R state that each dwelling may be occupied only by a single family and may not be used for nonresidential purposes," Oster said. She said one property changed hands in 2023 and that homeowners have not been consulted or given approvals required by their governing documents.
Oster also told the council she reviewed public-safety records and counted 16 police reports involving the homes between September 2023 and August 2025, and that the fire department and ambulance responded on multiple occasions. She said Adult Protective Services reports have been filed alleging abuse and recounted a recent incident involving three residents with dementia in a physical altercation that required multiple officers and Maricopa County crisis intervention.
"These facilities are licensed to admit high level Alzheimer's and dementia patients, raising serious concerns about neighborhood safety," Oster said, asking the city whether it will intervene when the operation of such facilities affects the safety, security and quality of life of nearby homeowners.
City Manager and the city clerk responded from the dais that staff had the speaker's contact information and would follow up, and the city attorney may be involved. The clerk and manager committed to getting back to the resident with more information.
No formal council action was taken at the meeting; the city indicated it would research zoning history, records and any legal intersections between municipal approvals and HOA restrictions and report back to the speaker.
