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Commission recommends Westpark and Silver Rock master‑plan changes to prioritize industrial, reserve commercial frontage by airport
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a package of plan changes: a minor general plan amendment (PLZUDash25Dash0005) converting two parcels to master‑planned community, a major Westpark CMP amendment (PLZZDash25Dash0010) to shift large areas near I‑10 and SR‑85 toward light‑industrial/employment uses with enhanced landscape buffers, and a Silver Rock CMP amendment (PLZZDash25Dash0011) removing acreage so it can be added to Westpark; applicants cited major infrastructure investments and an APS substation site.
Planning staff presented three linked requests and said the proposals create a single, cohesive Community Master Plan area (Westpark) by consolidating portions of the existing West Wind, Silver Rock and Westpark CMPs and converting nearly 1,700 acres to primarily light industrial or business‑park uses west of State Route 85. Staff highlighted a plan to double the customary 25‑foot landscape buffer to 50 feet along Lower Buckeye and Palo Verde Road to soften the interface with the public right‑of‑way and protect airport visibility.
Staff said the request includes a minor general plan amendment covering about 125.4 noncontiguous acres (two properties) to allow those parcels to be governed by a CMP; the Westpark CMP amendment would add roughly 1,673 acres and remove about 741 acres from Silver Rock to be incorporated into Westpark. Staff recommended approval of the minor GPA and Silver Rock CMPA with standard conditions and recommended the Westpark major CMPA subject to conditions to be finalized before council.
Applicant representatives — Rob Gupser of Colliers and Jeff Garrett of Garrett Development Corporation — described significant private investment already made to resolve water infrastructure issues (Garrett stated roughly $30 million spent on water improvements) and additional planned infrastructure to support industrial tenants. Garrett described a planned APS regional substation site and the Burlington warehouse under construction, and said the developer has invested in regional infrastructure to enable larger employment‑generating uses.
Commissioners asked about transportation and access: whether ADOT had obtained easements on SR‑85 (applicant said the state had taken right‑of‑way previously and frontage roads will be used) and whether the proposed Wilson Avenue I‑10 interchange is funded (staff said the interchange is on ADOT's plan but not currently funded and would require state and local funding). Applicants described road improvements tied to the Burlington project including frontage improvements and signal work.
After opening and closing public hearings (no public speakers), the commission voted to recommend approval to council on three separate motions: the Westpark minor general plan amendment (PLZUDash25Dash0005), the Westpark major CMP amendment (PLZZDash25Dash0010) subject to conditions A–GG, and the Silver Rock major CMP amendment (PLZZDash25Dash0011) subject to conditions A–J.
Next steps: each recommended amendment will be forwarded to city council for final consideration; staff noted they expect to refine stipulation language with the applicant before council and were aiming for a July council hearing to accommodate the council schedule.
