Commercial included with new church site
Some object to higher density
by Brian DiTullio

NORTH PHOENIX – A new church‑based community, to include commercial as well as residential space, cleared one hurdle along the way to reality last week.

The Genesis Church Group, headed by Ben Garrett, plans to build a small community on about 19.5 acres at the southeast corner of Cave Creek and Peak View roads. Currently designated low‑density residential, the Genesis group seeks 4.53 acres of commercial zoning and slightly higher‑density residential for the remaining acreage.

The development, to include an evangelical church of about 15,000 square feet with an outdoor concert area, horse shoe pits, gazebos and volleyball courts, would require an amendment to the Phoenix General Plan.

Previously approved by the Desert View Village Planning Committee, the project was given approval by the city’s Planning Commission on May 9. Final approval must come from Phoenix City Council.Garrett told The Desert Advocate last month the goal is to build the community around the church. “We plan on having a day‑care center, after school programs ... We don’t want that place to be empty all week and the parking lot is full on Sunday,” he said.

As for the commercial area, Garrett related his group wants to attract family‑friendly businesses that would include restaurants, a coffee shop, bakery, appliance store and other light commercial.

City planning staff proposed several stipulations to ensure a pedestrian‑friendly environment, including paving all walkways and connecting all businesses to the residential area.

Not all area residents are happy with the plan, though. Hank Doodeman, of East Roy Rogers Road, lives on 2.5 acres bordering the proposed project. His contention is the General Plan shows surrounding properties zoned rural and that a change to high‑density commercial violates what the people who originally moved to the area desire. Doodeman says he and his wife moved to their address in 1978.

“We didn’t build in a commercial area,” said Doodeman in an e‑mail to The Desert Advocate. “We do not want to live in a commercial area, and we do not want to move.”

Doodeman adds he attended one of the Desert View planning meetings and was “horrified” that the committee was only talking about how to modify the plan, not reject it outright.

According to Garrett, he has spoken with Doodeman and tried to show him the advantages of the project, noting the original rural zoning could have resulted in a much more intrusive roadway past his property.

“With our project, there’s no road running in front of his house,”  Garrett said, adding his group tried their best to take everyone’s feelings into consideration.

Jacob Zann, a planner with the City of Phoenix, said the Genesis group’s application met all

the qualifications for a General Plan Amendment and that only one person voiced opposition at the meeting.

 The identity of that person was not available, but Garrett said it was not Doodeman.

The vote by the planning commission was unanimous.