Goodyear resident raises safety and covenant concerns over assisted‑living homes in gated community
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Summary
Residents of the Vortalis community told council they believe two assisted‑living homes operating inside their gated subdivision predate city zoning and violate CC&Rs; they reported police, fire and adult protective service responses and asked city staff and the attorney to review enforcement options.
Goodyear — A pair of residents told the City Council on Aug. 25 they are concerned about two assisted‑living homes operating inside their gated Vortalis subdivision and asked the city to review whether the homes comply with homeowners‑association covenants and with city zoning.
Lisa Oster said she and other residents had corresponded with planning and zoning staff about “two assisted living homes” established in February 2019 and 2021 that she said predate Goodyear’s current zoning requirements for such facilities. Oster said Vortalis’ covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) explicitly prohibit assisted‑living or group homes and limit single‑family dwellings to occupation by a single family.
“Despite this, the City of Goodyear never sought or required HOA clearance for allowing these facilities to operate,” Oster said. She said one of the properties changed ownership in 2023.
Oster said her concerns include public safety: she referenced 16 police reports involving the properties from September 2023 through August 2025 and said that fire, ambulance and Adult Protective Services had also responded. She said a recent incident allegedly involved three residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia in a physical altercation that required multiple officers and Maricopa County crisis intervention.
City staff acknowledged the speaker’s concerns; the city manager committed to follow up. “City clerk would yes, we do. We'll get back to her with those answers,” the clerk said on the record; the city attorney’s involvement was also noted during the public comment period.
Oster asked the council two questions: whether the city will intervene if the facilities compromise neighborhood safety, security or quality of life, and how the city reconciles zoning approvals with HOA CC&Rs that she said explicitly prohibit certain residential uses. The council did not take immediate action at the meeting but indicated staff and the city attorney would follow up with legal and procedural options.
This matter was raised during the public comment portion of the meeting, not as a council agenda item; staff said they would return with information and next steps after internal review.
