Glendale council approves Broadstone Arrowhead rezoning despite residentsdemands for gated access

Glendale City Council on April 22 approved a general-plan amendment and rezoning that clears the way for Broadstone Arrowhead, a planned 368-unit multifamily development west of the southwest corner of 70 Fifth Avenue and Rose Garden Lane.

The council voted to adopt Resolution R25-32 approving general plan amendment GPA 24-04 and Ordinance O25-17 to rezone roughly 19.4 acres to a planned area development (PAD), moving the site from agricultural/low-density designations to a PAD that allows up to 20 dwelling units per acre and multifamily construction. The vote was recorded as unanimous among members present.

The project will combine 78 townhome-style units and about 290 apartment units in a single phase, with primary site access on Desert River Lane and Rose Garden Lane. City planner Alex Lerma said the applicant had completed required citizen outreach, the planning commission recommended approval with stipulations, and the proposal includes design measures to transition density adjacent to existing single-family homes.

Opposition from nearby Eagle Heights residents focused on traffic and safety. Resident Jeff Vietri said a petition signed by 64 of 82 homeowners opposes the project unless the city approves a fenced, residents-only gate at a secondary access. "We are asking for a minuscule concession to support it," Vietri said, adding the developer has agreed to fund the gate.

Several neighbors raised similar safety concerns. Justine (last name not specified) said a gate would "be very helpful to ensure safety of our kids walking, biking, and playing on the curb and sidewalks." Arnold Deutschen, president of the Reserve at Eagle Heights homeowners association, said the developer offered up to $150,000 for traffic mitigation and that gating the 70 Fifth Lane entrance as emergency-only and residents-only would limit cut-through traffic.

Alliance Residential Company, represented by Brian Greathouse, described the developer as a long-term, high-quality multifamily operator that has offered funds for traffic mitigation and design changes. "Alliance has offered money to study the cut-through traffic," Greathouse said, adding the company had conducted outreach and offered design features such as a pork-chop island at the Rose Garden/70 Fifth intersection.

Council discussion clarified that approval of the PAD does not automatically permit a gate. City officials, including City Manager Kevin Phelps and planning staff, said a gate that privatizes a public street would require a separate zoning amendment, compliance with public-safety and solid-waste requirements, recorded agreements from property owners, and likely a Prop 207 waiver from affected owners. Phelps said the planning and city attorney offices had advised the council the city does not typically approve one-off gates without an amendment that converts streets to private status. Council members noted alternatives the city could pursue if post-occupancy traffic counts show significant cut-through trips (for example, traffic-calming measures or turn restrictions).

Council members who explained their votes said they were sympathetic to residents' safety concerns but that the PAD request itself met planning requirements; several members urged residents and the developer to continue negotiating and use the city's formal zoning amendment process if they wish to pursue a gate.

The council approved the resolution and ordinance by roll-call vote. The planning commission had earlier recommended approval of GPA 24-04 and ZON 24-08 (the rezoning case) with stipulations.

Going forward, residents and the developer may pursue a separate PAD amendment or replat to privatize the neighborhood street and install a gate; council members said the city is prepared to support and review such an application but would treat it as a distinct, discretionary land-use action.