Phoenix council approves District 7 redevelopment plan and development agreement, sets 51% of units as affordable
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Summary
The council approved a redevelopment-area plan and a related development agreement that transforms a vacant District 7 site into mixed-income housing; the development agreement requires a minimum of 51% of units be affordable to households at or below 80% of area median income.
The Phoenix City Council voted to approve a redevelopment-area plan for 60 Ninth and Thomas and a related development agreement intended to convert a blighted lot in District 7 into mixed-income housing. Council members approved the planning-item first (item 93, 8–0) and then passed the development agreement (item 59) by a 7–1 vote.
Why it matters: The package is designed to trigger redevelopment in a part of District 7 that had been stalled, using city incentives under the expanded redevelopment policy to leverage more affordable housing outside the downtown core.
Key provisions and council direction: The motion on item 59, moved by Councilman Galindo Alvira, approved the development agreement per staff recommendation with a modification restricting a minimum of 51% of units as affordable to households earning 80% of area median income (AMI) or below. Council discussion made clear that the planning approval (item 93) enabled the subsequent development agreement vote; staff confirmed the city would return to council for financing and implementation steps required by the redevelopment process.
Debate and context: Councilwoman Guardado and others said they supported the project but urged staff to revisit the city’s 2022 neighborhood policy to consider raising affordability percentages for future redevelopment areas. Councilwoman Pastor emphasized the subcommittee process that set district-specific redevelopment parameters and asked staff to work with districts to set appropriate percentage ranges for future projects.
Vote: Item 93 (redevelopment-area plan) passed 8–0. Item 59 (development agreement with 51% affordability at 80% AMI) passed 7–1; Councilman Waring recorded the lone no vote on the development agreement roll call.
What’s next: Staff said the planning vote enables the next step: a formal development agreement and subsequent financing steps. CED staff committed to return with recommended percentage ranges and to work with each council district on local goals for future redevelopment plans.