Fountain Hills council votes to fully reconstruct Palomino Boulevard after months of debate

The Fountain Hills Town Council voted 6–1 to proceed with a full-depth reconstruction of Palomino Boulevard, choosing a pavement rebuild in the street’s existing width rather than a plan that would have narrowed the traveled way and placed sidewalks in the right of way.

The decision follows a months-long discussion and a public hearing in which residents voiced concerns about construction duration, mailbox relocations, landscaping impacts and long-term cost. Council members and staff presented three options: (1) pull the curb over 5 feet and prepare for future sidewalks, (2) full-depth reconstruction in the existing pavement width, and (3) a preservative treatment (chip seal and cape) that would be faster and less expensive but shorter‑lived.

Justin Welty, the town public works director, told the council the original engineering estimate for the full scope with curb relocation and sidewalk preparation was about $5.4 million. He said a preservative treatment — the chip seal/cape option — was estimated around $950,000 and could be completed in roughly five weeks, while full-depth reconstruction would likely run nine to 12 months. Welty said the town would restore homeowner landscaping disturbed in the right of way and that mailboxes could be relocated behind new rolled curb where required by postal guidance.

Residents who spoke urged minimizing disruption. “Minimize the disruption to our lives. Less is better in this case,” said resident Chris Bresler, who lives on Palomino. Pamela Peat, another resident, told the council she and her neighbors opposed driveway extensions, new granite fronting yards or relocation of custom mailboxes, and asked the council to limit the project to paving only.

Council debate focused on durability versus disruption and budget tradeoffs. Councilmember Watts argued that full-depth reconstruction would be more cost‑effective over the long term because preservative treatments typically must be redone multiple times. Councilmember Earl said a deeper rebuild would produce a longer-lasting road. Vice Mayor Larabee and others stressed the value of reducing neighborhood disruption. After an initial motion and an amendment, the council approved the full-depth reconstruction option (option 2) by a 6–1 vote.

Council and staff said the town will continue neighborhood outreach about schedule and staging, and will attempt to preserve or replicate distinctive mailbox and driveway features where work affects them. Staff also noted the project would be planned to limit off‑site impacts and that any traffic control or stop‑sign changes must comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and crash/volume warrants.

The council directed staff to proceed with design and contractor procurement under the full-depth option, and to return with a construction schedule and additional details. Work will include removal and replacement of failed curb in affected sections and restoration of disturbed landscaping; exact start dates and phasing were not specified at the meeting.

Residents said they want regular updates on schedule and on how the town will handle mailboxes and matching landscape rock. Staff said they will provide mailers and website notices and will coordinate directly with affected homeowners as the project advances.