Friday, November 15, 2013

12-1 Villa de Paz Residents WIN First Round

Writer, Jeff O'Toole
Community Interest
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When the Villa de Paz neighborhood agreed to be annexed by the City of Phoenix 20 years ago, they mandated stipulations requiring the 18-hole golf course land could only be used as a golf course. Now Welker Development Resources is trying to get the City of Phoenix to remove these stipulations, so they can build housing on the golf course instead.

Villa de Paz residents have been engaged in a battle with the developer over the last month trying to stop a housing development from being built in the middle of their 40yr old community. Last night at the Hope Center in Villa de Paz at 6:00pm, the Maryvale Village Planning Commission voted on the proposal to remove the golf course stipulation. Over 200 residents attended this meeting. Of the 151 people that filled out cards marking if they approved or opposed, 150-1 marked opposed. You will find attached two pictures of each side of the gym that was filled during the meeting.

The Commission heard presentations from the developer and the opposing neighborhood residents and voted 12-1 OPPOSED to removing the golf course stipulation. This is a key win for the neighborhood. From here the fight goes to the Planning Hearing Officer next Wednesday at 10:00am and ultimately to City Council on February 5th.

Here is a video of the actual vote. (At this point, the meeting has lasted 3.5 hrs and several residents have had to leave).


Please contact me directly for specific details on this story at 843-261-4757.

Thank you for your interest.