Residents
fear Bell Road clone
by
Barry Cohen
NORTH
VALLEY – A community group wants to see equestrian‑related
businesses and casual and fine dining restaurants built
along the Carefree Highway Scenic Corridor, not gas stations
and trailer parks.
These
and other recommendations are in a revised plan the New
River/Desert Hills Community Association will submit to
Maricopa County officials at a Sept.12 public workshop.
The
meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Desert Mountain School
on 7th Avenue north of Carefree Highway.
The
portion of Carefree Highway considered under the Scenic
Corridor Plan is a 3.5‑mile segment from 7th Avenue
east to 24th Street. The corridor plan is part of Maricopa
County’s
comprehensive
plan, which is designed “to encourage orderly development
while creating a healthy environment and a strong economy.”
The county in 1996 adopted the Carefree Highway corridor
portion as an addendum to the New River Area Plan.
Association
president Shareen Goodroad cited the area’s population
growth and greater demand for business services as the
primary reasons the corridor plan needed to be updated.
“The
revised plan would open the way for businesses that would
directly benefit residents, while preserving the rural
aesthetics that make the Carefree Scenic Corridor so special,”
said Goodroad.
“We’re
looking for balance,” she continued. “We’ve seen enough
of the ‘big box’ developments and we don’t want any more
of those.”
According
to Goodroad, the original corridor plan restricted commercial
development to two designated zones along Carefree Highway,
one at 7th Street and the other at 24th Street.
“Residents
didn’t want to turn the corridor into another Bell Road,
and we still don’t,” she said.
The
revised plan suggests all commercial development meet
requirements for setbacks, landscaping,
lighting and building height. It discourages certain types
of commercial such
as mobile homes and department stores, but encourages
businesses like fitness and health centers and office
and medical buildings.
The
New River/Desert Hills Community Association is a nonprofit
organization comprised entirely of member volunteers serving
all residents in the two communities.
