(GILBERT, AZ.) – Residents seem to focus their efforts on quality of life this week during the public comment section, and their concern is palpable.
Several residents spoke at the podium during the Jan. 20th town council meeting to voice their concerns over new developments, primarily where they directly interfere with existing residential infrastructure and impede quality of life for the residents of existing communities.
The town is moving forward with several major development projects currently underway, but the ones residents are most disapproving of include those at Harvest Grove and at Ray Rd. and SanTan Village Parkway.
Gilbert resident Greg Bamford speaks on the matter, urging the council to consider selling the 18.9 acres at SanTan in the interest of what he considers “family-strengthening” establishments, such as churches, community centers, and the like. He is vocally opposed to high-density housing as an option, citing public outcry regarding quality of life in a Gilbert hotspot.
Photo Credit: YouTube / Town of Gilbert
“Don't we have the ability as a community to prioritize?” He queries, “I'm suggesting that we need an awakening and some very solid thinking about the quality of life and the future for the families in our community, and I urge you to rethink this notion that everything falls second and subservient to the economic reality.”
Another resident agreed with the general idea of improving the potential use of the land and its future impact on the community.
It’s a similar thought echoed by others who are considering the potential impact of an increase in high-density housing developments near legacy residential neighborhoods.
Former Parks and Recreation board member Cindy Barnes shares her thoughts on the Harvest Grove development, which she states is projected to be far too close to the adjacent park for reasonable coexistence with it.
Photo Credit: YouTube / Town of Gilbert
Barnes says she had met with former council member Larry Morris and Lennar President Alan Jones on Dec 11 to discuss the potential downfalls of the project, which, she explains, aims to place two-story homes directly adjacent to the park, which houses several active-use sports fields that produce significant light, heat, and noise.
Photo Credit: YouTube / Town of Gilbert
“I've seen firsthand what happens when we put a home too close to a park, especially one that is lighted with as many fields as we have lit at the soccer complex,” she says, “Two-story homes next to sports fields create predictable problems: light pollution, noise complaints, evening traffic, and very frustrated homeowners.”
Her statements were considered heavily when the The Harvest Grove neighborhood commercial development project was ultimately denied by the council upon further investigation and consideration.
This backlash closely follows similar public opinion on the redevelopment of Gilbert’s Heritage District.
Another resident presented a pressing matter, citing his strong opposition to the Gilbert Police Department’s 30 by 30 initiative, which is designed to increase the female demographic of the force to a total of 30% before the year 2030.
Photo Credit: YouTube / Town of Gilbert
“It's a social engineering program,” he argues, “It also violates a policy put together for equal opportunity and hiring by Mayor Anderson and Councilman Torgeson. So, it's illegal and it violates an adopted policy.”
While Young states he is opposed to demographic discrimination, he highlights the extreme unlawfulness he sees in hiring based on demographic information within the Human Resources and Police Departments.
But equal opportunity is not the only grievance Young has with the initiative.
His argument against it includes practical application, which, he claims, is a consequence of the discriminatory action.
“If the incredible– well, if a big hairy man is breaking into my home and I call 911, I don't want Taylor Swift coming to save me”, he gestures to the policeman at the back of the council room, “...I want these tough-looking guys; our policemen. And I think you want that.”
While his latter comment caught a few pointed stares, newly appointed Vice Mayor Chuck Bongiovanni simply thanked Young for his feedback.
If you would like to add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at tracy.t@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below to share your thoughts.
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