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Listen to North Central Neighbors On Massive New Development

When it comes to protecting residential neighborhoods in the City of Phoenix, I believe that we must listen with great care and consideration to the voices of the families who for many years have called our neighborhoods home. While development creates economic opportunities and jobs, construction of “the new” should not come at the expense of our city’s history and our families’ quality of life. 

That’s why I’ve pledged to work hand in hand with the concerned neighbors of North Central Phoenix as they face the prospect of a developer building a massive senior living “apartment complex on steroids” on the campus of the North Phoenix Baptist Church along Central Avenue and Bethany Home Road. Unequivocally, I am against this project along with the scores of neighbors who have spoken out over the past few weeks.

In talking to these residents, it’s clear their opposition has nothing to do with seniors moving into the community – especially since the neighborhood is already home to more than 50 senior living facilities. Nor is their opposition a fight pitting families versus the Church (in fact, many of the families opposed to the development are church parishioners). Rather, this is a case of a developer, Investment Property Associates, seeking special treatment that would change the neighborhood’s residential zoning to allow an 8-acre commercial enterprise to be built a stone’s throw from single-family homes and quiet, tree-lined streets.


Given that North Central’s residential zoning has been in place for more than 120 years, the current legal limit of three dwelling units per acre should come as no surprise to the developer. Unfortunately, the zoning change IPA has sought would permit up to 52.5 apartments per acre on this site. That sets the wrong precedent for such a special neighborhood. So does such a behemoth structure – a three-story building that covers up to fives acres and will be taller and larger than any home or commercial building in North Central. Plans for the complex include three restaurants, a piano bar with a Series 12 liquor license, a salon, fitness center, theater, memory care center and a dog park, all located in what has been for more than a century a low profile, residential community.

Just as we elected officials should consider aesthetics and precedent in making zoning decisions, we also must consider the impact of development from a practical “life in the neighborhood” perspective. If built, this complex would house nearly 300 residents who require around-the-clock services similar to a 160-unit dormitory. That’s a major business undertaking, one that will require services and deliveries day and night. There will be tractor-trailers delivering food and supplies, trash pickup, maintenance and repairs, 911 ambulance and emergency services day and night, a steady stream of visitors and dozens of employees – three shifts 24/7/365 for health services, plus staffers for the restaurants, bar, salon, and fitness center, landscapers and janitors.

All of the above must be considered carefully should the request for a zoning change move forward. Again, so should the voices of the families who call this beautiful neighborhood home. As an elected leader who has worked for years to grow the Phoenix economy and to create opportunities for entrepreneurs, I believe that careful development should be a top priority for our city.

However, development that is not careful – and not attuned to the needs of residents and neighborhoods – cannot be allowed to harm the communities that make Phoenix vital and strong.