Hunt Hwy is one step closer to a new commercial center

On Feb. 17, 2011, the Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a proposal by Sky Hi Holdings L.L.C. and Borgata Ventures L.L.C. to change the zoning for a 96.9-acre parcel near Mountain Vista Blvd. and Hunt Hwy. in San Tan Valley. This section of Hunt Hwy. may soon sport a very different, more commercial, look. The proposal, along with its additional requirements for completion, will be reviewed for acceptance or denial by Pinal County Supervisors and is tentatively scheduled to be discussed at their meeting on March 30. The property in question was designated CR-5/ Planed Area Development (PAD) and CR-4/PAD in Oct. 1999 as part of the larger 2,184-acre plan. This designation limits the property to "Moderate Low Density Residential" development and would prevent agents Steve Tomita and Tom Borgata from creating their proposed commercial center. Tomita and Borgata propose rezoning the area to allow for alternate uses, which would open the door for development of a regional commercial center. Possibilities for the proposed center include a hotel, a car dealership and other office or retail sites. However, private citizens, local groups and the town of Queen Creek have voiced concerns that the proposed commercial center may have a negative effect on the community and believe it may not adhere to Pinal County's Comprehensive Plan. In a letter signed by Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney, the Queen Creek Town Council, Town Manager John Kross, and Tom Condit and Wayne Balmer of Queen Creek Development Services they note some of the possible troubles a project of such magnitude could present.

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