“Phoenix planner Jordan Feld confirms Westcor is requesting a change in zoning from large lot single‑family residence to commercial with a special permit. The city requires auto mall developers to obtain a special permit in addition to a commercial zone designation.

“If the developer uses the entire property for an auto mall, there is no way in heck they are going to get it through. We will fight it tooth and nail all the way to the final step to Superior Court,” exclaimed Robinson. “What they (area residents) want is ‘another Desert Ridge’ shopping center, he said.

Robinson thinks residents might go along with a compromise to develop the land as 50 percent retail and the remainder an auto mall.

The city’s Planning Commission in October 2005 recommended approval of the Westcor proposal, sending the matter forward to Phoenix City Council for a final decision. In July 2006, Westcor requested a continuance of the matter until December to give the developer more time to meet with nearby neighborhoods.

Karen Maurer, assistant vice president of development and marketing for Westcor, said the company is working on a new proposal which includes retail establishments and that Westcor wants to talk with area residents about the proposal before the December council meeting. She was unable to give any specifics as to meeting with residents, however, pending completion of the new plan.

“I appreciate and understand the concerns that residents have expressed about the proposal, which include everything from lighting and noise to the fact that they want more retail in the area,” said Councilwoman Peggy Neely. “I have stated to the applicant that I would not even consider hearing the request until it could develop a proposal addressing residents’ concerns.”

According to Neely, numerous North Valley residents have contacted her with the misconception that the auto mall is planned on or very near Carefree Highway.

“I have consistently stated that I would not support any auto sales adjacent to Carefree Highway on the north or south side,” Neely said.. “Carefree Highway is a designated scenic corridor and I have requested the city planning department to prohibit auto sales adjacent to all scenic corridors.”

North Gateway Village Planning Committee chairman Dean Howard related that Westcor initially tried to get a zoning change for the project without presenting traffic and light studies or a conceptual drawing.

“(Without those) we don’t have all the facts. There are concerns about traffic and lighting,” Howard said.

Westcor is a subsidiary of The Macerich Company, a Real Estate Investment Trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Macerich is based in Santa Monica, Calf., and is one of the largest owners/operators of regional malls in the United States.

Reach the reporter at kathleen@thedesertadvocate.com.