City Council OKs final plan for hybrid residential project in 7 Ranches

A developer’s plan to combine 27.79 acres at the southwest corner of Honeycutt and Gunsmoke roads in 7 Ranches has been approved.

Maricopa City Council voted last week to OK a final plat request by Hancock Builders of Phoenix and dedicated the necessary right-of-way and easements for the development of a 253-unit, multi-family community.

The single-family home for rent community will be developed by the same company building the Bungalows on Bowlin, another single-family home for rent development at the northwest corner of John Wayne Parkway and Bowlin Road.

The 7 Ranches project, tentatively known as Hancock Gunsmoke, will include 1- and 2-bedroom duplexes and 2-bedroom detached homes. Some duplex models will have attached private garages. All units will be single-story.

The community will have a density of 10.14 dwelling units per acre. At the current rate of 3.2 persons per dwelling unit, the community would be home to about 810 people.

“This proposed hybrid housing product fills a demanded gap in the market for families who are ‘renters by choice’ – those who seek the qualities of a single-family home as well as the benefits of a professionally managed community,” stated pre-application documents submitted by Mesa law firm Pew & Lake on behalf of Hancock.

The developer said the project is aimed at young professionals (single and/or married) and retirees looking to downsize to a more manageable lifestyle – and find community.

“The buildings’ orientation and site amenities create an environment where community can be built among residents,” the documents stated.

City Manager Rick Horst has repeatedly said Maricopa needs more diversity in its housing options, particularly among young families, entry-level professional workers and seniors.

“Affordable senior housing is becoming a more present need,” Horst said last July when the project was proposed. “So yes, growth is driving the need for more multi-family and rental units. However, single family homes remain the primary residential choice and constitutes over 99% of the current housing stock.”

A previous story about this development: New project: 253 single-family rental homes – InMaricopa