Goodyear City Council approves controversial apartment complex
Goodyear residents objected to plans for a new apartment complex at Monday evening's City Council meeting, but it wasn't enough to stop leaders from approving it.
The project marks the latest example in a growing Valleywide trend of neighbors fighting nearby apartment developments over concerns over noise, traffic, school crowding and impacts on property values.
The proposal would see an 11-acre area west of the southwest corner of Estrella Parkway and Van Buren Street rezoned from general commercial to multi-family use. With only Mayor Joe Pizzillo voting against, the rezoning request passed almost unanimously despite failing at the Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this month.
Steve Careccia, planning manager for the city, said the area is surrounded by residential areas like Hudson Commons as well as some retail, such as a Safeway and Culver's. The rezone would see one 4-story building reach 50 feet in height, and two 3-story buildings climb to 40 feet.
There will be 156 one-bedroom units, 118 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units for a total of 284 rental units. Cars will be able to enter the property at multiple points along Estrella Parkway and Van Buren Street, as well as West Hudson Way.
The gated complex will be developed by Leon Capital Group and named the Statler at Estrella Parkway. The plan is to market it to higher-income earners, according to the developer.
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Brennan Ray, who spoke on behalf of the Leon Capital, which applied for the rezoning, said that the developer is listening to the concerns of the neighbors, and plans to develop the property further to the east away from residential areas. The complex will be at least 100 feet away from other nearby developments.
And while some residents may be concerned about the traffic that the complex will generate, Ray said a commercial development would likely cause much more traffic than a residential community would.
Carol Whitaker, a Goodyear resident who spoke at the meeting, said her house would border the apartment complex. She opposed the zoning request because it would bring unwanted noise and traffic to the area, in addition to giving the neighboring communities less privacy.
Whitaker also added that the city currently has many apartment complexes in development and questioned the need for another one.
Jonathan Schurig, another Goodyear resident, said the apartment complex would not provide as much to the community as new restaurants, entertainment venues or parks. Schurig also cited the lack of privacy as a reason for being against the development.
Councilmember Sheri Lauritano pointed out that multi-family housing is not generally bad and said many young professionals even people who work for the city may not make the salary to be able to purchase a home.
Councilmember Wally Campbell also said that it's Goodyear's time to build with the growing West Valley, and that Goodyear city staff are also working to bring new restaurants, retail and entertainment to the city. And the city needs density in order for that to come, Campbell said.
And while residents don't want their view of the mountains to be obstructed, Campbell said that is likely going to happen at some point anyway as new developments crop up in places like Estrella. And the city is continuing to work on mitigating the traffic issues that come with a growing city, Campbell explained.
The ordinance passed at the City Council and will not have to return to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Reach the reporter at ahardle@gannett.com or by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @AlexandraHardle.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Goodyear City Council approves controversial apartment complex
