The Gilbert Redevelopment Commission recommended approval of DR25‑107, a four‑story mixed‑use building (commonly referred to in the meeting as the Burnett or Bridgette Building) located south of Page Avenue and Gilbert Road in Gilbert’s Heritage Village Center.

Planner Veronica told commissioners the site is approximately 0.365 acres and the proposed building would be just over 34,000 square feet with uses that include a first‑floor restaurant, a second‑floor retail showroom, third‑floor office space and a fourth‑floor restaurant with a rooftop terrace. "As you might recall from the study session, we did have some discussion about the south elevation," Veronica said, and staff noted updated materials (fiber‑cement panels, red masonry brick and CMU on the base) and a revised staff report that modifies condition 5 to allow some alternative designs to achieve fire access at the rear/west side of the building.

Several commissioners asked how the project will meet the town’s required 26‑foot fire access width given an existing alley and an apparent 8‑foot patio setback shown on the site plan. Veronica confirmed the 26‑foot fire access requirement is not flexible, but the amended condition allows staff and the applicant to pursue alternate design solutions that satisfy both the fire department and the Heritage District design constraints. Commissioners also raised concerns about the leaseability of an 8,000‑square‑foot ground‑floor restaurant and the potential for noise from the rooftop bar; staff said nuisance ordinances and hours of operation apply and offered to follow up on decibel considerations.

A motion to approve DR25‑107 with the revised condition was made, seconded and recorded as passing 5‑0.

Why it matters: The project would add a substantial mixed‑use building to the Heritage District with multiple commercial uses and a rooftop dining terrace that may introduce operational and service‑access considerations for adjacent property owners. The revised condition gives staff more flexibility to find a compliant solution for fire access without requiring an on‑site 26‑foot feature that might conflict with design goals.

Next steps: The commission’s approval advances the project toward administrative final site plan review and permitting. Staff will work with the applicant to resolve the technical fire access design prior to construction approval.