February 01, 2006

MOBILE - For years, Mobile has been not much more than a dot on the map between Maricopa and Gila Bend. A small elementary school on Arizona 238 is the town's only real landmark. Some have joked - blink on the way to Yuma and you'll miss Mobile.

But all that may be about to change as a massive tidal wave of development looms. 
More than 150 residents and landowners gathered Tuesday night in the small gymnasium at Mobile Elementary School, where they learned that developer Elliott Homes has amassed over 9,000 acres in the area and plans to create a master-planned community known as Brookstone Ranch.

Area landowners were notified of the meeting via mail and informed that this was their chance to learn how they could "participate" in the development process. One resident asked if participate meant sell out to Elliott.

"Not necessarily," said Alan Beaudoin with LVA Urban Design Studio, who is working with Elliott on the project. "There are two steps to the process. First, we are going to develop a master plan and consider what land uses are appropriate.

The second step would be actually zoning the property for those uses. For that, we would need authorization from you. We are going to work with you to determine what works best with you for your property."

In return for their participation, Beaudoin said residents could: expect their property values to increase, receive services at a lower cost and set a positive tone and new image for the community. Some residents spoke out against the development, saying they moved to the area for the rural lifestyle and wanted to keep the community that way.

Maps and conceptual drawings of the potential development were displayed throughout the gym. Representatives said they hope to create a community that is balanced with multiple land uses including residential, retail and commercial.

Housing densities as high as six units per acre were mentioned, a much higher density than the 3.5 homes per acre currently allowed in the neighboring city of Maricopa.

Beaudoin said the meeting was the first of many he hoped to have with residents of the Mobile area.

"We encourage public input," Beaudoin said. "We are going to do our best to keep you informed. It's really up to you whether you want to preserve what you have or participate in our plan. We want to talk to as many of you as possible."

Elliott said the company would start moving forward with the government side of the process this month. Steps toward receiving a Master Planned Community designation from Maricopa County include a pre-application meeting between the homebuilder and the county, Technical Advisory Committee meeting, Planning and Zoning hearing and approval and a Board of Supervisors hearing and approval. Elliott hopes to move through the process quickly, with a goal of achieving the designation within one year. At that point, the company could begin development of the community, and estimated buildout in 15 to 20 years. Elliott has already drilled a well for water in the area.

©Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. 2006