City moves commercial, residential developments forward

Aug 7, 2019

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Stonegate1 — An empty corner of what was supposed to be Stonegate Center has collected trash a debris over the years but now may become a self-storage facility. Photo by Kyle Norby

A development that has been in the doldrums since 2008 may get new life while a long-time farm is turning more of its acres into a residential area.

Maricopa City Council approved an amendment to the original Planned Area Development for Stonegate Center, which remains vacant between Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and Alan Stephens Parkway. Council also approved the rezoning of a portion of Anderson Farms on the east side of Maricopa.

The Stonegate Center, 42200 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy., was about 50 acres on the west side of Stonegate Road and was meant to be a retail area similar to The Wells or Edison Point.

The new proposal is a self-storage facility on about four acres in the northeast corner. A change to the PAD is necessary to allow personal storage, outdoor vehicle storage and living quarters for an onsite manager. The proposed Omni Storage would have five buildings up to two stories high as well as outdoor storage for vehicles and RVs.

It is the first phase of the reimagined commercial development. Other elements of the master plan are in early the planning stages. Senior Planner Rudy Lopez said the next steps are a development review permit and then a construction permit.

Anderson-Palmisano Farms is planning another 111 residential lots in Anderson Farms Phase 1B of its ongoing project. The 29 acres had general rural zoning. The council’s vote Tuesday approved it for RS-5 zoning, which is a residential designation of a master planned community of medium density for single-family homes.

Being developed by Marbella Homes, the area sits north of Anderson Farms Phase 1A, which recently received RS-5 zoning, and comprises 80 lots. The overall plan has 10 phases that would gradually include all of the acreage in a rectangle bordered by Hartman, Bowlin, Murphy and Farrell roads.

Anderson-Palmisano Farms was established in 1949 and continues to operate agriculturally.

Maricopa Planning & Zoning Committee will discuss a preliminary plat request on Anderson Farms Phase 1 at its next meeting, Monday at 6 p.m.