Stonegate development gets another look

A development that mixes houses, shops and possibly apartments moved another step forward this week.

Owners of Maricopa Stonegate received approval for proposed modifications to their land use plan, amending the planned area development (PAD). The public hearing was Monday during a meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Maricopa Stonegate is on the northwest corner of Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and Stonegate Road. It is southeast of the Senita subdivision and south of Glennwilde. Sketch Architecture Company has been representing the owners.

Randy Carter, a Sketch principal, said the plans are currently in “theoretical phases.”

Phase 1, next to Senita, is considered the residential phase with plans for single-family homes. It is expected to “go” first, but its only access in the beginning stage is off Alan Stephens Parkway.

Phase 2 lies along Alan Stephens Parkway. Carter said it might include apartments or possible offices. Completion of the second phase includes a connecting road to Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

The last two phases will fill in the area along MCGH with commercial properties.

“It is conceivable that in a great market they sell all the pieces off and it gets built at one time,” Carter said. “But as we’ve seen in the past, it’s kind of cyclical. Phase 4 may go first in the end. We just don’t know. But this is what the owners feel comfortable in selling and producing, being able to financially support through the system of this particular phasing plan.”

But Commission Vice Chairman Michael Sharpe had qualms about the expected phasing when it came to the roads within the development.

“I just wanted to make sure we don’t run into a situation where we have incomplete roads, which has been something that has happened during various downturns in the city of Maricopa,” Sharpe said. “Maybe we should lay infrastructure first and fill in from there, but I’m not a developer and that’s not my call. Just a suggestion.”

Carter said that was feasible but wasn’t making any promises.

Maricopa Stonegate is using a “village” concept of mixed use, including pedestrian-friendly access with trails and bike lanes between residential areas and shopping areas. The plan describes possible uses as “entertainment, retail, offices, restaurants, hotel and convenience store with gas.”