Commercial center coming to Seven Ranches?

The public is invited to comment on the proposed rezoning of approximately 50 acres within the Seven Ranches subdivision that could result in a new commercial center.

A presentation on the zoning changes will be given during Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting at 7 p.m.

The land covers two separate areas and would change the zoning from general rural to general business.

The first piece of land is about 20 acres on the southeast corner of Porter and Honeycutt roads.

According to a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission from Dick Dressel, consultant for Maricopa 30 LLC, “the owner envisions this as a commercial center for Maricopa business tying together eastern Maricopa with the Highway 347 corridor.”

The second segment of land is approximately 30 acres and at the southwest corner of Honeycutt and White and Parker roads and is also, according to another letter from Dressel, a possible commercial center.

Both letters state that “if the opportunity arises, we may even include a ‘big box’ retailer.”

In February, the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners created a community planning assistance team to develop recommendations for developing the area.

The final report, presented to the city council in August listed challenges with developing the area as drainage issues, roadways and multi parcels in the area.

Another issue was insufficient water pressure for fire hydrants, but Dressel’s letter said the Seven Ranches water district will construct a new water tank and upgrade the system.

However, the report also stated that, with the city taking the lead, the area could be successfully developed into a thriving commercial and residential area, perhaps even providing housing for community college students.

The final report is available by clicking here.

To see agendas for the 6 p.m. work session and 7 p.m. meeting, click here.

The meetings are in the Maricopa Unified School District administration building, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.