Planning commission approves 200-unit build-to-rent community at Yuma and Apache

The Buckeye Planning and Zoning Commission on an unstated date approved a site plan for a 200-unit build-to-rent multifamily community at the southeast corner of Yuma and Apache roads (case PLZSP-240031). The developer presented the project as a family-oriented rental community on about 17 acres with a central clubhouse, pool, playgrounds and private backyard space for each unit.

Mandy Woods, principal planner with Development Services, said the proposal is consistent with the property’s General Plan land-use designation of “Neighborhood” and complies with applicable development-code requirements. "The density proposed is just over 10 dwelling units per acre which is compliant," Woods said, and she noted the applicant is requesting site-plan approval subject to conditions A–Q.

The applicant’s team described the product as a newer configuration for the developer. Mark Reddy of RVI Planning and Landscape Architecture, representing the applicant, said, "We found that we can make this type of product work and it's something that's very livable," emphasizing the single-story accessible units and two‑story duplexes that provide private yards the team said are attractive to families.

Commissioners asked about traffic and on-site management. Commissioner Ed Bassler raised concerns about the nearby intersection of Yuma and Watson, saying the project "is going to add more and more of an issue with the traffic on Yuma" and warning, "Somebody's gonna get killed there trying to get from fries over to Walmart across the traffic." City traffic staff acknowledged capacity constraints at Yuma and Watson and said the city has the intersection in its capital improvement program for further evaluation and potential mitigation but could not guarantee a timeline.

Woods said access to the site would be from Apache Road with an emergency-only shared easement along the southern edge of the property. She also told the commission the developer will be responsible for required water, sewer, drainage and half‑street improvements and that the property will be served by city fire and police services.

A motion to approve PLZSP-240031 was made and seconded; the commission approved the motion by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies. The motion carried with no recorded dissents.

The project’s principal characteristics reflected in the file: 200 build-to-rent units on roughly 17 acres; a unit mix of three‑ and four‑bedroom units intended to be family oriented; 95 two‑story duplex buildings and 10 one‑story accessible buildings; 31% open space and 15% amenitized open space; private rear yards averaging about 350 square feet per unit; a centrally located clubhouse, pool and playgrounds; and code‑compliant parking and landscaping.

Next steps: Conditions attached to the site plan approval must be satisfied in follow-up engineering, drainage and building permit reviews before issuance of permits or commencement of construction.