Buckeye City Council unanimously green-lit a 2,807-acre tech corridor near the airport. The corridor, developed by Denver-based Tract, is within the light industrial and commercial categories and includes four planning units:
- Unit 1: 40 acres with 10 for commercial space and 30 for either commercial or light industrial.
[City of Buckeye] - Unit 2: 1,727 acres intended for a regional data center or commercial and/or light industrial. This unit will include the Stoneman Wash, which will be preserved as an open space.
- Unit 3: 80 acres for commercial and/or light industrial use.
- Unit 4: 242 total acres with 10 for commercial space and 232 for commercial and/or light industrial.
- Additional facilities: 2.5 acres for a public safety facility with $3.5 million contributed by the developer for a temporary public safety facility.
“Approval of these requests will facilitate the development of the site with a technology-centered light industrial and commercial campus,” reads the council agenda item, “resulting in development that is compatible with the nearby Buckeye Municipal Airport, contributes to the City's economic well-being, presents a high-quality aesthetic from the perspective of adjacent streets and does not negatively impact surrounding properties.”
The land was formerly allocated in 2008 for the Cipriani community master plan which included 9,706 single- and multi-family residential homes, nearly 189 acres of commercial property, nearly 277 acres of open space, five schools, a fire station and a police station. The council approved the termination of the Cipriani development agreement, to be replaced by the tech corridor. The city further agreed to reimburse the developer for 20% of the data centers’ tax revenue over a 20-year term with a $50 million cap.
“This is an exciting evolution for the development of Buckeye,” said District 2 councilmember Jeanine Guy. “I think it shows our ability to be able to pivot and change to projects that are going to be more beneficial in that area as we continue to grow.”
Stoneman Wash is an open space area located within Unit 2 of the development area. It includes a trail system which will not be removed during the project. Some of the trail alignments which run through the project may shift slightly, said city Planning Manager Ken Galica, who presented the project as staff liaison.
Galica said that traffic generation is estimated to be low as a result of the development. Tract is responsible for constructing half-streets on the project boundary, streets internal to the site and additional street improvements outside of the site boundary to “provide safe and orderly access to the property,” according to the slide show presented at the council meeting. The city will straighten the alignment of Broadway Rd. along the project boundaries. Looking to future traffic needs, Tract agreed to contribute up to $15 million of a pro rata share for a I-10 interchange and right-of-way at Johnson Rd.
Because of its close proximity to the airport, Galica said a tech corridor is more appropriate than a residential area. Shifting from residential to commercial and light industrial additionally will additionally lower the water and sewer usage. Under the Cipriani residential plan, the area would have used 4,500 acre feet per year of water. The tech corridor will cut that by approximately 60% with a maximum of 2,000 acre feet per year used.
Galica agreed: “I think the city’s vision for the airport has changed over the years,” he said. “With that, it certainly has more impact on surrounding uses.”
Mayor Eric Orsborn attended the meeting virtually. District 6 councilmember and vice mayor Clay Goodman led the meeting in-person. Orsborn said the project has been a long-time coming and thanked everyone who contributed to making it possible.
“Let’s go build some power plants!” he said.
ANNEXATIONS
During the August 6 meeting, city council approved the annexation of one parcel on 0.87 acres at the northwest corner of Yuma Rd. and Apache Rd to streamline permits for the Sunrise Commerce Center within the Sundance Community Master Plan. It also approved the annexation of two parcels on 2.38 acres at the northeast corner of SR-85 and MC-85. According to the city council agenda, “Annexation of the property will result in orderly growth and will allow for it to be developed under city standards and policies.”
PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS
Council approved the submission of three federal Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program grants to improve pedestrian traffic through trails, signals and solar path lighting.
- Grant 1: $265,000 for a one-mile multi-use path, one new pedestrian signal and three miles of solar path lighting between Watson Rd. and Miller Rd. The grant includes $212,000 with a $53,000 match from the city.
- Grant 2: $285,000 for a 2.3-mile multi-use path, one pedestrian signal and 2.3 miles of solar path lighting. The path would start at Compass Point Park and run south along Bulldozer Wash to the I-10 underpass. It would then go south along Tuthill Wash and turn east toward Jackrabbit Trail, connecting with Maricopa Trail. The grant includes $228,000 with a $57,000 match from the city.
- Grant 3: $750,000 for a pedestrian bridge over the Watson Rd. and Durango St. intersection near Inca Elementary School. The grant includes $600,000 with a $150,000 match from the city.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
City council also unanimously approved the following items:
- Approved and ratified a sublease agreement between City of Buckeye and the nonprofit Mirnia’s Place Inc. for space at the Rodeo Grounds. The sublease is for a one-year term with the option for renewal.
- Renewed a memorandum of understanding between the city and Buckeye Mainstreet Coalition Inc. for economic development services in fiscal year 2024-2025 with a financial impact of $35,000.
- Accepted the resignation of Planning and Zoning Commission District 5 regular member Ed Sumner and appointed Donald Bassler in his place. District 5 councilmember Craig Heustis thanked Sumner for his contributions.
