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Council approves Transfer Development Rights for Black Mountain Marketplace, preserving hillside acreage
Summary
Council approved a transfer‑development‑rights agreement allowing a proposed nine‑lot Black Mountain Marketplace commercial development in exchange for preserving about 98,298 square feet of hillside as undisturbed open space; council vote was unanimous.
The Cave Creek Town Council approved a transfer‑development‑rights (TDR) agreement that will let a proposed commercial development at the southeast corner of Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway proceed in exchange for dedicating roughly 98,298 square feet (about 2.25 acres) of undisturbed hillside as protected open space.
Planning staff (speaker 19) described the proposal, characterized on the record as the Black Mountain Marketplace, as a nine‑lot commercial development that will be required to meet code landscaping requirements (staff said 27% landscape area is planned) and to salvage and reuse trees and saguaros where feasible. Staff noted at least one committed tenant — a Moundside Fitness location — and said other inquiries for retail and fast‑food uses were under discussion.
The TDR approach consolidates open‑space easements in pockets across town so land that might otherwise be developed is instead preserved. Speaker 19 said the sending parcels are clustered with other TDR preserved areas and the proposal aligns with the town’s open‑space policy.
Council member Cynthia (speaker 11) moved to approve the TDR agreement as presented; the motion was seconded and carried 7–0.
The agreement preserves undisturbed hillside area while allowing infill commercial development on the receiving parcel. Staff said development must still comply with landscape, irrigation and other code requirements designed to limit water use and preserve native vegetation.
Council discussion emphasized that the policy is intended to protect ridgelines and sensitive hillside lands while allowing sensible infill in commercial corridors.
