Gilbert council denies Modera Gabriela Point rezoning after hours of debate on commercial land loss and traffic

The Town of Gilbert Council on June 24 denied a request by Mill Creek Residential and project representatives to amend the general plan and rezone about 10½ of roughly 46 acres at the Gabriela Point Commerce Center for high‑density multifamily development.

Supporters and the applicant said the plan would deliver 329 to 367 units in a mixed project that adds 20,000 square feet of ground‑floor commercial and a $200,000 contribution toward intersection improvements. Opponents, including town planning staff and several council members, warned the change would reduce the town’s limited regional commercial acreage and worsen an existing concentration of apartments near Warner and Higley roads.

Town planning staff, led by Keith, senior planner for zoning cases, told the council the proposal would convert regional commercial land that the 2020 general plan intended for campus‑style office, business park and regional retail into…