Council approves Yardley Baseline rezoning with reduced density, perimeter one‑story buffer and right‑in/right‑out access

The Phoenix City Council approved a general-plan amendment and companion rezoning for a residential development known as Yardley Baseline on Sept. 17, 2025, adopting revisions recommended by staff and the planning commission after neighborhood engagement.

The developer, represented by Taylor Morrison, reduced the requested unit count and agreed to stipulations that addressed several community concerns. The planning‑department memo attached to the council packet reduced the maximum units from a proposed 188 to 175, added enhanced landscaping and a privacy hedge along the perimeter, limited building heights on the Baseline-facing and neighborhood perimeters to one story, and restricted site access to right‑in/right‑out on Baseline Road.

Why it matters: The action changes the land-use pattern on 14.37 acres near South Mountain village and adjusts density and design controls intended to preserve neighborhood character while adding housing supply.

Community engagement and concerns: Neighbors and village planning committee members pushed for R-2 zoning and fewer units, additional access points and stronger traffic-calming measures on Baseline Road. Appellant speakers and nearby residents told council they feared increased traffic, single-point ingress/egress and building scale incompatible with the Rio Montana area plan. Planning staff and the developer said the revised stipulations balanced neighborhood protection and housing objectives; street-transportation staff told council that a raised median at Baseline in this narrow segment would not provide meaningful benefit and could restrict access to existing subdivisions.

Council action and conditions: Council approved the general-plan amendment and zoning ordinance per the Sept. 17 memo, with the following notable conditions summarized in the staff memo: cap total units at 175; require one‑story buildings along the north and west perimeters and Baseline Road; require perimeter landscape buffering and tree planting adjacent to neighboring yards; and limit vehicular movements to right‑in/right‑out at the Baseline entrance. The items passed with unanimous support.

Next steps: The developer must submit site plans and elevations consistent with the stipulations, complete technical reviews (traffic, fire, civil) and comply with building-permit requirements; those plans will be reviewed by planning and inspected before any certificates of occupancy are issued.

Caveat: City staff said rezoning does not compel an adjacent property owner (a commercial center) to grant a second access point; any additional ingress/egress would require the developer to secure permission from that owner.