Council rezones 8 acres for 129 townhomes, requires Acacia access and directional signage

The Apache Junction City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 1574 on April 21, rezoning about 8 acres between Southern/Acacia and Old West Highway for a 129‑lot Diamonte Homes townhome subdivision called Adacia.

Planner Nick Leitch told council the proposal converts several parcels from commercial and rural zoning to high‑density multiple‑family residential with planned development conditions. Leitch said the zoning conversion aligns half the site with existing high‑density designations and would allow individually platted townhome lots, each with two‑car garages.

Council discussion centered on primary access. Staff and the developer presented two site‑plan access options (Acacia vs. Star Road). City engineer Emil Schmidt and developer representative Brendan Ray described right‑of‑way and safety constraints: Schmidt explained that an existing pavement on Acacia sits partly on private land and said the city historically maintained segments of the road; he recommended off‑site half‑street improvements and extending Acacia improvements north to Old West Highway as part of development obligations. Ray said the Acacia entrance offers multiple safe routes to downtown and agreed to stipulations for signage clarifying private property and directing drivers toward Southern and downtown.

Several residents and supporters spoke at the public hearing in favor of homeownership opportunities. After public comment the council moved to read the ordinance by title, then voted to approve Ordinance 1574 with the condition adopting the January 26 site plan (Acacia entrance) and adding directional signage; the motion passed unanimously.

The ordinance approval will allow final engineering and permitting to proceed under the conditions of approval; staff and the developer agreed to continue coordination on right‑of‑way ownership and required off‑site improvements before construction.