June 20, 2006

Thousands of homes, commercial center part of master- planned community

MARICOPA - Developers of Avalea, a large, master-planned community south of the railroad tracks, are asking city staff and officials for a little more time.

The massive project, encompassing 2,179 acres near Farrell Road and Arizona 347 on the south side of Maricopa, was set for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission June 12 and at a special meeting of the City Council last Tuesday. Ralph Pew, speaking on behalf of the developers, asked the commission to continue the item to their June 26 meeting.

"This case has significance in the community as one of the largest master-planned developments that has been brought forward in Maricopa," Pew said. "We appreciate the work staff has done.... We think it's a very good idea to continue this so we can work out the details and stipulations, allow the commissioners to see the project, and see what other public comments there might be."

Pew went on to describe the project, comparing it to Vistancia, a master-planned community in Peoria that was recently recognized nationally as community of the year. Shea Homes, Fulton Homes and Standard Pacific are to develop the residential component, while regional mall developer Vestar is leading commercial efforts. The focal point of the project is to be what Pew described as the "resort core," a golf course and community center based in Trilogy, an age-restricted residential neighborhood by Shea Homes.

"The resort core is really something special," Pew said. "Like the center at Vistancia, it really creates a living environment where people want to come out and buy a home. They can live in an area where they can have recreation and other amenities in a community like it was a small town itself."

Pew said Shea Homes would complete construction of Trilogy's golf course, 35,000-square-foot community center and model homes before selling a single home, an $80 million investment.

"Trilogy prides themselves on that," Pew said. "We want people to see the quality they will be living in."

In addition to the age-restricted community, Shea, along with Fulton and Standard Pacific, are to develop parcels in the "progressive" side of Avalea, which would include a second community center, two school sites and a trail system.

"The reason we call it progressive is that it can support various lot sizes," Pew said. "The intent is to promote a community that appeals to home buyers across the spectrum.... ."

©Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. 2006