Despite opposition of residents, panel approves zoning change

Greg Harman

Friday, Sept. 15, 2000 | 10:47 a.m.

A request to rezone a 2-acre, undeveloped parcel along Horizon Ridge Parkway inspired 30 Green Valley residents to attend Thursday's Planning Commission meeting to voice opposition.

But their protests went unheeded, as the Planning Commission approved the zoning change, ruling that it would have minimal impact on area residences.

The parcel, east of Sandy Ridge Avenue in Green Valley, stimulated a recurrent theme at planning meetings: the swift build-out of Horizon Ridge souring in the mouths of its new residents as more and more parcels transition from residential to commercial zoning. Convenience stores, supermarkets and office space bring a steady line of detractors complaining of the traffic, noise and lights.

Karen Sexton, president of the Shady Ridge Homeowner's Association, told the commissioners Thursday, "When I purchased my home I researched the surrounding area. I knew probably something could change, but it has changed so drastically."

Where once Sexton was surrounded by residential zoning and a bike trail, there now stand shopping centers, a medical office and multifamily housing. "I'm asking you to put an end to the commercial development surrounding our property," Sexton said.

Walter Norton said, "We moved as far away from the city as we could afford to. And now the city is encroaching upon us. Adding more commercial to an already congested area isn't going to help us one bit. I believe we have enough to sustain us until the next millennia."

Ten other residents echoed the sentiments of Sexton and Norton.

But John Marchiano, an attorney representing the proposed Hutchinson Commercial Center, said the two medical towers proposed for the lot would have "no effect" on the homes in Sandy Ridge.

A traffic engineer brought forward by Marchiano estimated the offices would receive about 208 visits a day, an "insignificant" amount compared to what Horizon Ridge is capable of carrying.

City staff supported the engineer's analysis.

Before the first of three commission votes in favor of the project was concluded, the residents were walking out the door -- too soon to see the very same commissioners descend mercilessly on another proposal for Horizon Ridge.

K&M Property's request to site a convenience store, gas station and retail/office buildings on 3.3 acres at the southeast corner of Horizon and Coronado Center Drive was voted down.

"This is the exact kind of project we've been denying lately," Chairman George Bochanis told the representative from K&M Properties, without a hint of humor in his voice. "You have everything we disapprove of."

The chairman cited negative traffic impacts, proximity to residential neighborhoods, the intense use of the property and its proposed 24-hour use as reasons for denial.

The matter was denied unanimously. Commissioner Dan Shaw was absent.