P&Z commission OKs another single-family rental project

A developer’s plan to build a single-family rental home community was approved Monday night by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Paragon Development Group of Chandler is seeking to build 151 single-story units on 12 acres at the southwest corner of West Edison Road and North Wilson Avenue. The rental community would be known as Hampton Edison.

The commission granted approval to site, photometric and elevation plans at its monthly meeting after hearing concerns from a city resident.

With a density of 12.5 units per acre, the community will feature a combination of 1 bedroom/1 bath, 2 bedroom/2 bath and 3 bedroom/2 bath units.

Robert Klob, who owns a residential design studio in Maricopa and formerly served on the planning and zoning commission in Chandler, told the commission he thought too many rental projects were being approved in a short period of time.

“The challenge I’m seeing is there have been, in the last several months, literally thousands of multi-family units approved in Maricopa,” he said during the public input segment of the meeting. “I think our community needs multi-family – all communities do. My concern is that so many, so fast is really going to be taxing to the environment that is here and not quite allow as many opportunities for the for-sale market. I think the community as a whole, needs to take a look at spreading these out. I hate the word moratorium, but really kind of push back on developers to bring in these products more over time than all at once.”

Commissioner Bill Robertson didn’t agree with Klob.

“I am not concerned,” he said. “I think it’s part of the grand plan and necessary for the city. They do seem to be coming all at once, which maybe makes it seem like a bigger deal than it is.”

Chair Linda Huggins said there were lots of projects being approved, but they would not all be built at the same time, spreading the integration of these units into the market over time.

In documents filed with the city, Paragon stated the community will have a variety of amenities, including a fitness center, resort-style pool and spa, outdoor kitchen area with a shade lounge and a fire pit area, a large turf area with a ramada and a dog park.

The homes are designed with private yards with patios and will have assigned covered parking with optional detached garages. Interiors will feature high-end finishes, including wood-veneer flooring, gourmet kitchens with granite countertops and stainless-steel energy-efficient appliances.

The developer has two years to act on the permit after approval. If it doesn’t, it can file for an extension of up to six months or restart the approval process.

Robertson said there is a need for multi-family housing in town. With the city’s growth, and the jobs that will be created, that part of the housing mix is essential, he said.

The commission, Robertson said, can only assess whether a proposed project falls within the planning and zoning guidelines, not whether there are too many of any one type of housing – or business – in the city.

Commissioner Dan Frank said he too is unconcerned at this time and said factors other than the city may determine the amount of multi-family housing the city sees in the coming months and years.

“Not at this time, but I think we might be approaching it,” Frank said. “I think that’s a decision the market will make. Once you start seeing projects fall below 90% occupancy or whatever the magic number is that industry uses, that will dictate how many more might come.”